New English Ballet Theatre's lucky number this year is FIVE! The company returns to the Peacock Theatre in November to perform five new ballets to celebrate its fifth anniversary: QUINT-ESSENTIAL: FIVE NEW BALLETS will present new work by high profile UK-based names in the world of ballet: Daniela Cardim, Kristin McNally, Marcelino Sambé, George Williamson, and Valentino Zucchetti.
NEBT is uniquely defined in the world of competitive ballet: founded by its artistic director, the visionary Karen Pilkington-Miksa in 2011, NEBT has commissioned and produced 16 new ballets deploying the exciting talents of dancers, choreographers, musicians and designers.
This summer New English Ballet Theatre performed the stylish 'Lonesome Gun' and 'Mad Women' by Kristen McNally and 'Wundarra' by Daniela Cardim at Latitude and at Canary Wharf Summer Sessions. On October 14th and 15th the company will present a taster of Quint-essential at Rambert Studios plus two new works by fast rising choreographers Jenna Lee and Cameron McMillan as a result of the Taking Chances: Choreography Lab sessions.
DANCERS:
Zoe Arshamian, Diogo Barbosa, Alexandra Cameron-Martin, Giulio Galimberti, Bethany Headland, Nicola Henshall, Nathan Hunt, Pablo Luque Romero, Alexander Nuttall, Cecilia Pacillo,
Riccardo Rodighiero, Hannah Sofo, Isabella Swietlicki, Seamus Wilkinson.
'QUINT-ESSENTIAL: FIVE NEW BALLETS' - the programme - November 9th-12th at the Peacock:
'Strangers' choreographed by the award-winning George Williamson to Brahms Cello and Piano Sonata in E minor Opus 38 - first movement played live by renowned pianist Anne Lovett and cellist Anna Menzies. English National Ballet Associate George Williamson sets his piece on the full NEBT cast to explore the concept of 'foreignness' from within and without. Firebird (2012) was his first commission for ENB and he has created work for New English Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet's Junior Company, Lithuanian National Ballet and ABT Studio Company.
'Moonshine' is choreographed by Royal Ballet Soloist Kristen McNally to the music of Alexandre Desplat's 'Grand Budapest Hotel' score. Made for 8 dancers Kristen explores - with her usual razor-sharp wit - the concept of 'pilgrimage', the quest for moral or spiritual significance. A Royal Ballet Soloist since 2009, Kristen's extensive repertory includes Swan Lake, Manon, Romeo and Juliet, Ballet Imperial, Les Rendezvous, Onegin, and Carmen. She has created work for NEBT, BalletBoyz, and for the Royal Ballet's Draft Works.
'Enticement's Lure' choreographed for five dancers by Valentino Zucchetti to Rachmaninoff's Trio Elegiaque No. 1 in G Minor played live by three musicians. The piece is a study of two couples and ensuing temptations which threaten to destroy their relationships. A Royal Ballet Soloist since 2012, Valentino won the Ursula Moreton Choreographic Competition in 2006 while at the Royal Ballet School; he has created numerous pas de deux, solos and pieces for the Royal Ballet's Draft Works and Orbital Motion for NEBT's 2014/15 season.
'Vertex' choreographed by Daniela Cardim for 8 dancers to Camargo Guarnieri's String Quartet No. 2 played live by four musicians. "Researching the music of my own country - Brazil - led to the discovery of this beautiful work. The material was created in close collaboration with the dancers, finding the dynamic and the intention of the movements in response to the music and the mesmerising drawings of Anne Christopher RA." Daniela danced with the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam for 11 years and with Ballet do Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro for 5 years. She has made work for NEBT, Ballet do Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo Companhia de Dança, Dutch National Ballet's School, and School of American Ballet (as part of the New York Choreographic Institute). She was recently cited as 'a new name to watch' by Dance Europe magazine's Critics' Choice for these works.
November 9th-12th London, Peacock Theatre, Portugal St, London WC2A 2HT at 7.30pm
Tickets: £15-£38
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