The Arts Desk\’s Latest Coverage from the World of Dance

There is an abundance of Nutcrackers to choose from on The Arts Desk\’s dance coverage this week, as well as indispensable guides to dance on stage and screen this Christmas.

A seasonal round-up of the pick of the best Dance DVDs for Christmas, has been put together by Ismene Brown. Turning out to be a veritable feast on film, was the Birmingham Royal Ballet\’s Cinderella with the details of David Bintley\’s production and John McFarlane\’s ingenious set designs. With more to offer on film than on stage, the Royal Ballet\’s Alice\’s Adventures in Wonderland revels in the whirlwind of Technicolor.

The Royal Ballet\’s latest Ashton collection also features and includes 7 ballets over 7 years, featuring such stars as the now retired Darcey Bussell and today\’s Tamara Rojo. A 2004 documentary about the New York City Ballet\’s tour to the Mariinsky, is Bringing Balanchine Back, while the Royal Ballet provide two separate offerings of The Sleeping Beauty.

Providing a handy run-down of the dance shows and events happening in the cinema and on TV, Ismene Brown celebrates dance\’s current accessibility across the media. As well as the Strictly Come Dancing Final, also included are live cinema screenings of the Royal Ballet\’s Sleeping Beauty, Darcey Bussell\’s TV tribute to Hollywood\’s dance musicals.

The English National Ballet\’s more traditional take on Tchaikovsky\’s classic ballet, has always had a tough task competing with its illustrious rivals. This version only really suffered from its occasionally confusing contradictions in the storytelling and the incongruently gloomy blue-tinged lighting.

Next under the microscope is Matthew Bourne\’s Nutcracker! – the second of the two Nutcrackers this week. The first act is the best as with many Nutcrackers, and is packed with both comedy and superb effects. Bourne\’s choreography is not quite up to the demands of the music in the second half though, as it begins to disappoint.

Steve Alexander is a writer with a passion for dance in the UK. For the latest news and reviews from the dance and ballet world, visit theartsdesk.com.