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Performance 2012

Exhibition of Dances

 

In this mixed programme, Ballet First dancers presented the 3rd Act Nutcracker variations, including the exhilarating ‘Trepek’ Russian dance – a dance with Cossak origins, a tremendous challenge for the dancers with increasing tensions and athleticism, particularly for the man which features prisiadka (kicking the legs from a squatting position). Our young dancer Lucas danced with bravura and panache bringing the house down to rapturous applause – a highlight of the entire Nutcracker variations section.

The Spanish variation was well danced with style as were the difficult and precise Mirlitons ensemble piece for 4 dancers; the Chinese dance was presented by the younger Ballet First dancers (age 5-6) and was danced with great confidence, winning the audience over with their synchronised movements. Sugar Plum Fairy was danced with technical precision by Senior Ballet First member Bethany who went on to gain a place at the Vocational Dance School – London Studio Centre. Other Nutcracker pieces included the Tarantella and Arabian dance, all presented with aplomb and technical assurance. The corps de ballet Waltz of the Flowers completed the Scene enthralling the audience.

Other dances in the programme included abstract pieces to Michael Nyman, famous for his composition to the Film ‘The Piano’. Highlights in this section also included the challenging 4 ‘Cygnets’ from Swan Lake, danced with precision and endurance by our Senior students; a modern emotional solo piece ‘Skinny Love’ and ‘Sanchez’, a vibrant energetic allegro dance to music by Film composer Chuck Mangione.

A programme of immense variation and diversity – displaying what Ballet First is all about – producing versatile dancers with a classical ballet foundation.