Nottingham Theatre Royal – 28 April 2023
Reviewed by Louise Ford
5*****
An evening of exciting dance combing classical with contemporary ,show casing some of the brightest new talents in the world of dance.
BRB2 is a new and exciting company set up by Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Director Carlos Acosta. It is an opportunity for young dancers to showcase their talents and have a moment in the spotlight rather than simply being in the corps de ballet.
The show was made up of 14 dancers (8 female and 6 male), from all around the world. They performed 12 dances over two acts.
The curtains open to a backdrop of the dance studio, compete with a barre. The dancers arrive relaxed in their slouchy clothes and begin by stretching and exercising ready for their performances. A plain backdrop descends to provide a clean and precise landscape for the performances. The uncluttered set showcases the dancers perfectly. All of their movements are on view with no where to hide. Not that they need to hide away it is their time to shine.
The first half is more classical with excerpts from Swan Lake and La Sylphide. The first dance is a beautiful Pas de deux from Rhapsody . This is performed by Frieda Karen and Oscar Kempsey-Fagg. Next is the wonderfully energetic Pas de deux from La Sylphide performed by Olivia Chang Clarke and Eric Pinto Cata. The role of James is performed with such energy and high-jumping leaps by Eric, complete with a natty hat and a tartan kilt. In case you are wondering what a Scot’s man wears under his kilt… well teenie tiny pants!
The Dying Swans is a new choreography by Carlos Acosta combining both the female solo by Fokine and the lesser known male solo by Michel Descombey. One gently fluttering on pointe (Regan Hutsell) the other writhing and angular on the floor (Jack Easton). The music is by Saint-Saens,performed by Jeanette Wong (piano) and Antonia Novais(cello).
The first half ends with an energetic Pas de deux from Diana and Actaeon. Performed by Beatrice Parma and Enrique Bejarano Vidal. The first half left you feeling uplifted and smiling, delighting in the performances and the dancers evident joy to perform.
The second half is more modern and opens with an incredibly moving performance of End of Time, performed by Lucy Waine and Oscar Kempsey-Fagg. The energy levels are moved up a couple of notches as we move to a bar with a neuvo tango ,A Buenos Aires, performed by Frieda Karen and Jack Easton. The mood shifts to some soulful French/Belgian songs with solo performances by Regan Hutsell and Enrique Bejarano Vidal. The finale draws together eight dancers to perform Majisimo ,a Spanish inspired dance complete with fans and a hint of flamenco.
It was a wonderful evening of dance which the audience clearly loved and enjoyed.