Just a quiet birthday
Somewhat inevitably, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s 30th Anniversary celebrations were rather muted. With Covid-19 still grinching around the country, the number of dancers and musicians were limited, no spectators were allowed and starry guests were mercifully absent. Instead the ever-charming Carlos Acosta introduced a short triple bill of relatively modern works from the grand, but sadly empty, Birmingham Town Hall.
First up was the superb pairing of Brandon Lawrence and Yijing Zhang in Ben Stevenson’s duet End of Time. The convict unitards were a bit weird but there was no hiding the slink, style and chemistry between Lawrence and Zhang. The piece has plenty of sculptural lifts and snazzy slides which have no obvious connection with its title but it was an enjoyable watch nonetheless, thanks primarily to its performers.
Next, Tzu-Chao Chou took on Valery Panov’s workman-like solo Liebestod. It’s an overwrought work packed with yearning skyward gestures but it looks a tricky one to get right. Chou did an excellent (if slightly camp) job, showing terrific body control and stamina. However, given the circumstances, choosing a piece set to Wagner’s monumental Liebestod was an odd one. The orchestra was much reduced and if there’s a piece of music that requires a full whack of musicians (and more), this is it. Despite the Royal Ballet Sinfonia’s best efforts, it sounded lightweight and was therefore unable to give the dancer its full support.
Last up was a Spanish-flavoured classical lollipop by Cuban choreographer Jose Garcia. Majisimo is a nemesis of bolero jackets, flowers in the hair and bull horn arm extensions but it’s fun and finishes the night on a jolly high. The much-underrated Momoko Hirata stood head and shoulders above the other seven dancers with her impeccable technique and easy grace, but Miki Mizutani let nobody down with her effortless virtuosity.
BRB’s 30th Anniversary Performance is available to watch for free on the Company’s Facebook page and also on their website until 25th November 2020. Hopefully the Company’s next major anniversary will be held in happier times.
Gerard Davis
Dancing Review 