Georgina Butler
Writing. Dancing.

NEWS: World Ballet Day 2018, 2nd October 2018

 

Today is World Ballet Day, the one day of the year that balletomanes and ballet newbies alike are urged to press pause on their everyday activities and watch ballet!

American writer and dance critic Edwin Denby (1903–1983) is attributed to the quote: “You don’t have to know about ballet to enjoy it, all you have to do is look at it” and I support this sentiment. Simply witnessing ballet dancers do what they do best is enough to inspire admiration for ballet’s athleticism, aesthetics, artistry and amazing history and culture.

 

Georgina Butler dressed in a purple leotard and black tutu, posing en pointe. A World Ballet Day celebration.

 

Happy World Ballet Day

 

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NEWS: New English Ballet Theatre promises passion, hope and remembrance in new double bill – London, September 2018

 

New English Ballet Theatre is returning to The Peacock Theatre in London’s West End this week with a brand new double bill, The Four Seasons / Remembrance.

As a modern ballet company, New English Ballet Theatre makes a heroic effort to drive the art of classical ballet forward through continual reinvention. It proudly promotes the talents of the next generation of exceptional artists (not only showcasing fledgling dancers but also emerging choreographers, musicians, designers and visual artists), by giving them paid employment in a profession they love.

As a result, the critically acclaimed neoclassical troupe – founded by its visionary artistic director, Karen Pilkington-Miksa, in 2011 – is developing a reputation for being one of Britain’s most exciting young ballet companies.

This autumn’s double bill promises to be a visual and musical spectacle of passion, hope and remembrance.

 

New English Ballet Theatre. Remembrance / The Four Seasons. A female dancer en pointe, and a male dancer dressed as a soldier, both superimposed on a background of red Remembrance poppies.

 

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NEWS: Northern Ballet to make a splash with ‘The Little Mermaid’ – Milton Keynes Theatre, April 2018

 

Fans of fantasy and magic can look forward to diving into an immersive new production when Northern Ballet presents The Little Mermaid at Milton Keynes Theatre this month.

The Leeds-based touring company is known for turning beloved stories into full-scale narrative ballets, using the expressive power of dance to meaningfully connect with audiences.

Tapping into the current zeitgeist for all things enchanted (fantastical creatures like unicorns and mermaids have surely never been so popular), the troupe of classically-trained dancers is currently making a splash bringing Hans Christian Andersen’s aquatic fairy-tale to life.

 

Northern Ballet's The Little Mermaid. Publicity image showing a man standing on a rock in the sea. He is bent forward with a mermaid draped elegantly over his back.

 

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NEWS: Matthew Bourne’s ‘Cinderella’ to show us the power of true love – Milton Keynes Theatre, February 2018

 

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures brings his wartime revival of Cinderella to Milton Keynes this month.

Dance devotees can look forward to a dark reimagining of a classic fairy tale when the admired choreographer’s popular company makes its annual visit to Milton Keynes Theatre.

Set in London during the Second World War, Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella is a radical retelling that does not involve a prince, a fairy godmother or a royal ball. Instead, his evocative dance theatre production sees a wounded RAF pilot enjoy a chance encounter with a timid young woman. The couple spend just enough time together to fall head over heels in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

 

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. Matthew Bourne's New Adventures publicity image showing a female and male dancer dancing amidst the destruction of the Blitz. She is wearing a sparkly dress and diamond earrings, he is wearing a Second World War RAF officer's uniform.

 

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NEWS: ‘The Snowman’ is set to melt hearts – Milton Keynes Theatre, January 2018

 

Spectacular stage show The Snowman dances into town this month   

 

Prepare to be whisked off to a winter wonderland when heart-warming stage show The Snowman flies into Milton Keynes Theatre.

Based on the celebrated 1982 animated film, which was inspired by Raymond Briggs’ 1978 children’s book, the Birmingham Repertory Theatre production portrays the adventure a young boy enjoys when he and his snowman share a magical night of friendship, fun and flying.

The Snowman stage show is presented annually in London at The Peacock Theatre and has become a much-loved festive tradition for audiences. The five-week Christmas 2017 run marked the production’s 20th year at the West End venue, making it the longest-running Christmas show in English theatre history.

 

The Snowman stage show directed by Bill Alexander. A boy in his pyjamas with his friend, The Snowman.

 

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