Theatre News

14 October - Young Dance Reviewer Scheme

North Devon Theatres have teamed up with Dance in Devon to support the Young Dance Reviewer Scheme.

This is a unique opportunity for young people between the ages of 16 and 30 to try their hand at writing a review for forthcoming dance events at the Queen's and Landmark Theatres. The review will then be posted on the North Devon Theatres and Dance in Devon websites.

The first young reviewer to take part was Jessica Christie who wrote a review for the Ballet Boyz on Thursday 9th October. You can read it below:

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The Ballet Boyz perform their Greatest Hits with not a single pair of tights in sight
Review by Jessica Christie

Their title at first glance might mistakenly give the impression that The Ballet Boyz waltzed around the stage in tights and unitards-but these are no ordinary Ballet Boys.

Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, who make up the UK-based choreographic duo Ballet Boyz are renowned for their original and inspiring approach towards dance. Their aim is to challenge, surprise and enlighten audiences by bringing together elements from all realms of the arts; composers, artists, designers, film makers and photographers.

Performing at the Queens Theatre, we were lucky enough to have, what the boys see, as their best and favourite, pieces of work from their repertoire.

The boys’ primary concern is to demystify the making of dance, to help with this they introduce each of the programs four dances with a “behind-the-scenes” mini-film. Witty, thoroughly engaging and intelligently put together they had the audience laughing out loud. The intimate connection these films bring not only make the choreography more accessible but ironically undermine these amazing dancers’ abilities which never the less if they were meant to relax the audience in to a false sense of humbleness, worked magically.

“Broken fall”, choreographed by Russell Maliphant, is a trio for Nunn, Trevitt and Oxana Panchenko, who stole the stage with her strength and effortless fluidity. The boys continuously play with her, entwining all three of their bodies together only to harmoniously disentangle themselves again. The audience held a whispering gasp as Panchenko is literally thrown high in the air from one man to another. Panchenko remains calm and disaffected throughout, the music setting the emotional atmosphere, with its fusion of flutes, piano and saxophone.

Dancing with the company was also Tim Morris originally from Devon himself. Morris and Panchenko make up the duo for “EdOx”, choreographed by Rafael Bonachela, (famous for his work with Kylie Minogue, The Kills, and Primal Scream.) The piece has a gentle quality, portraying the tricky balance of trust and vulnerability locked in a love affair. Beautifully their bodies flow together until the end.

In Liv Lorent’s “Propeller”, Panchenko and Nunn seem to play with gravity, giving the impression that their bodies are almost levitating. Panchenko is treated like a defenceless doll, ghost-like and seductive in its nature. The dance has a striking ability to influence the audience with a combination of sadness and joy.

As a finale to the show, the boys perform “Yumba vs. Nonino”, choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood. This Tango is designed for two men and Nunn and Trevitt allow their personalities to shine, adding natural humour and a feel good factor from which you can’t escape.

At the end of the show, with the sound of the audience still roaring with applause, I bustled out to queue for the toilets, as I stood listening to the excitable reviews between friends I couldn’t help giggle to myself as comparing Panchenkos amazingly lissome body with that of her own said “It would be nice to have just one muscle in my stomach!”

Their amazing physiques and high-powered energy was obvious proof of their dedication and hard work.

North Devon Council

Supported by Devon County Council

Arts Council of England