FORM-Idea

This fall Ballet Black returned to London’s Linbury Theatre with a delightful programme of two new pieces.  If at First and The Waiting Game, taken together they highlight the company’s strengths as one of the most innovative dance companies working in Europe.If at First is Scottish Ballet choegrapher, Sophia Laplane’s wonderful examination of heroism, what does it mean to be a hero. With dancers at various times dancing with small crowns, the piece highlights the concept of who truly is a hero, even when the battle they are fighting can at times but against themselves.

The second piece in this enchanting programme is choreographed by Olivier and Black British Theatre awards winner, Mthuthuzeli November, called The Waiting Game. The Waiting Game takes on even waiter themes such as the purpose of existence, the value of the passing of time through movement, with dancers at various points during the piece questioning the very value of dancing in a particularly volatile world. In many ways, The Waiting Game is a movement-based Waiting for Godot.  Funny and profound in equal measure.  The Waiting Game is yet another triumph for the much-respected international dancer, choegrapher Mthuthuzeli November, older brother of the National Ballet of Canada’s star Siphesihle.

The company Ballet Black, is the brainchild of Cassa Pancho, MBE, whose aim in creating Ballet Black was to make ballet a much more inclusive landscape.  Given the enthusiastic reception the company receives wherever they perform, she has in fact achieved her mission since Ballet Black is indeed one of the most popular dance companies working today.

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