York Theatre Royal – Friday 6 September 2024
Reviewed by Sal E Marino
5*****
After a 30-year pause, London City Ballet is back on the stage with a mesmerising programme of sublime ballet under the brilliant direction of Christopher Marney. The Resurgence tour has returned to some of its most beloved venues including York in the UK, Italy, Portugal, China, the Joyce Theatre in New York and will end at Sadler’s Wells in London in September.
The company comprises of 14 dancers who are principal dancers of other lead international dance companies so each performance was beyond magnificent. Christopher Marney has commented that what makes the Resurgence tour so unique and rare is that the audience gets the chance to see some of the world’s most compelling dancers in one production. Some pieces have rarely been seen so this tour is a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
The opening of the show started with some nostalgic footage of press releases, interviews, and photographs of the London City Ballet from years gone by. The late Princess Diana was a champion of the arts and a patron of the company and would sometimes drop into rehearsals. It was most moving to see her beautiful smile just before the first dance, ‘Larina Waltz’ by Ashley Page. Perfect is the best word to describe this performance as the light and delicate physicality with technical expertise creates an intoxicating piece. The traditional costumes sparkle within the softly lit set and performed to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s melodies, one can just feel the pure quality of the London City Ballet once again.
The captivating Ballade, unseen in Europe for 50 years, takes place on an austere set with a white backdrop, table, and chairs. As the performance unfolds, four dancers engage in a choreographic game of cards, where the complex dynamics of relationships are explored. MacMillan’s fluid choreography, mixed with many emotions creates a legendary dance.
Arielle Smith’s Five Dances were a myriad of many things: sensual, emotional, tribal in some ways and made me think of the elements and how their energies ebb and flow in cycles.
Finally, Christopher Marney’s Eve: a re-telling of the biblical tale of Adam and Eve told from Eve’s perspective. The set and costumes are magical and there is an atmosphere of ancient fairytale created through the medium of birds appearing through mist and fog. This backdrop creates a bleak landscape and Eve appears all alone until the seductive serpent arrives … without giving too much away we see Eve and Adam rise together in a most dramatic ending. I absolutely loved this performance and hope Mr Marney will create something similar for ‘Lilith’, the woman before Eve and tell her true story like this one which wasn’t tainted by patriarchal dogma.
Resurgence is exquisite! The rare opportunity to see the best of the best all together on one stage is a must see!