Festival diary: Dutch National Ballet

Another mixed bag, but this time intentionally so, the three pieces presented all very different in mood and setting. First up was a sumptuous rendition of Balanchine's La valse (set to Ravel's music of the same name, prefaced by the Valses nobles et sentimentales) which started off a little shakily. The dancers quickly got their act together, however, and this first ballet was an undoubted success.

David Dawson's The grey area, with music by Niels Lanz, got an excellent reception despite being the token modern piece and thus the most "difficult" of the evening's ballets. Such was the skill of the five dancers that any attempt to impose a plot on the choreography was soon forgotten, this being by far the most original part of the performance.

The concluding piece, Jerome Robbins' The concert (to various pieces by Chopin, some orchestrated but mostly played by an uncredited onstage pianist) was sheer burlesque, most of which was pulled off with great flair. It did perhaps outstay its welcome but the characterisations were spot on and, best of all, were maintained right up to the final bow.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra, under Martin Yates, provided typically excellent support in the pit, though their moment of glory came in the opening Ravel. I can only imagine their players feel a little short-changed by the rest of the programme.

The Dutch National Ballet's triple bill run ends tomorrow, Saturday 3rd September, the performance starting at 7:30pm. Phone the EIF box office (0131 473 2000) for details.

(2nd September 2005)

Comments: Post a Comment



<< Home

Reviews A-Z