Empty stages, silent orchestra pits…it has been a depressing year for the performing arts. With the easing of the lockdown, dance fans can once again enjoy live performances instead of having to get their terpsichorean fix via online services.
English National Ballet is back with Reunion, a mixed programme of short ballets originally made for online viewing, now performed live for the first time. They display the versatility of the company in five ensemble pieces. The show kicks off with Take Five Blues by Stina Quagebeur. Quirky, speedy and fun, the work uses just eight dancers who make the most of the famous jazz melody and look delighted to be back where they belong.
Laid in Earth is a powerful, emotional work by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, danced with conviction at the performance I saw by Precious Adams, Joseph Caley, Noam Durand and Francesca Velicu. It is followed by Senseless Kindness, a gentle ballet by Yuri Possokhov, set to music by Shostakovich.
