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2005 reviews |
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THE NATIVITY COUNTY BORDER NEWS The National Youth Ballet of Great Britain performed its spectacular Nativity in St. Mary’s Church, Westerham on Saturday, 9th December in an event arranged by St. Mary’s Westerham Heritage Trust. The ballet, which was narrated, features 26 talented young dances aged between eight and eighteen. The NYB also presented excerpts from Hansel and Gretel and other short pieces featured in its recent production at the E M Forster Theatre, Tonbridge and at its sell out Gala at Sadler’s Wells in October. There were also performances by the Reigate Harp Ensemble and other talented young musicians. The show took place in the church along with the now annual Trust fundraising Christmas tree festival – the 50 trees decorated and donated by local clubs, organisations, businesses and individuals provided a colourful spectacle in the church over the weekend. THE COURIER The National Youth Ballet performed a special nativity in St. Mary’s Church in Westerham on Saturday. Putting on a show for the first time in front of her home crowd The Green resident Founder and Artistic Director of the National Youth Ballet, Jill Tookey, was thrilled with how well the performance went for both spectators and dancers. Performing free, alongside local musicians, the NYB dancers travelled from all over the country, some as far away as Swansea, to be in St. Mary’s Church for the 200 or so spectators that had crammed in to see The Nativity and excerpts from Hansel and Gretel |
 Photographer: David Whitmore |
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DANCE EXPRESSION Each season the National Youth Ballet seems to go from strength to strength. This was the 19th production and one of the best. Some very charming ballets, all choreographed to suit the various age levels and how well they danced. The whole presentation was most professional, with clever lighting, scenery and staging. All the dancers performed on the stage of Sadler’s Wells as to the manner born: no wonder they all had a wonderful ovation at the end. Each year Jill Tookey, the director, and her team gather together some of the most talented and promising dancers. This year they came from over 68 schools, from many regions of England. For the dancers it is an experience of what life is like in a company: rehearsals, classes, performances, you have to be committed and dedicated. For the Junior Associates of the NYB, Anna Meadmore had choreographed a delightful ballet, Lavender’s Blue, based on Kate Greenaway and traditional nursery rhymes. Ideal for all the boys and girls, with Naomi Bottomer outstanding as Lavender’s Blue. Antony Dowson’s Adagio for six boys and a lovely dancer, Katya Bourvis, was excellent and most impressive on the large stage. So many strong boys taking part this year, which reflects the present trend in dance. Strathspey and Reel by Jonathan Payn was great fun, he is a clever choreographer, very musical and knows how to use his dancers to the best advantage. The boys caught the whole spirit and were an excellent foil to the girls. Gone West by Donna Phillips was a lively ho down in the style of Seven Brides and Oklahoma. All the dancers entered into the spirit, fun, a good contrast and the audience and dancers loved it. Frank Freeman choreographed a lovely duet for Ruth Brill and Jack Thorpe-Baker to Schubert music, beautifully danced and so musical in the arrangement and interpretation. The big ballet was Hansel and Gretel, choreographed by Janet Kinson, very clever, and one admires the way she uses all the age levels to tell the story. The Hansel and Gretel of Dale White and Katie Webb held the story together, the Witch of Alice Butcher was fabulous and certainly having drama coaching b y Ros Taylor paid off as everyone had such a good sense of characterisation. The Father of Jack Wilcox and the Witch’s Apprentice, Jamie Patel, and all the roles were convincingly expressed. Nancy Osbaldeston, from her success as the winner of the Molly Lake Award (see last month’s Teen Scene) shone in the role of the Star Fairy. Two solos from the Choreographic Competition were included: one by Robbie Bird, crazy, hip hop and fun, certainly different, and a musical solo by Isobel Powell to Vivaldi. She also won the Barbara Geoghegan Musicality Cup. Throughout the event there was a strong musical emphasis, which makes a change! The National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Theatre and National Youth Ballet all do wonderful work in encouraging the arts among young people. The Birmingham Schools’ Concert Orchestra supported Hansel and Gretel under their conductor Bob Vivian played very well indeed. Dancing in the National Youth Ballet will be something that all the dancers will remember. The special award this year was presented by Monica Mason, Director of the Royal Ballet, to Ruth Brill and Alice Butcher, I wish them every success for their future. A special programme is planed for 2007, the 20th anniversary, and watch out for 2012, the 25th! ROBERT HARROLD |
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| Dreams Come True With Help from the Enchanted Tree E. M. Forster Theatre at Tonbridge School was the setting for The National Youth Ballet’s 2006 performance prior to their Gala at Sadler’s Wells. An entrancing piece of choreography by Antony Dowson and performed to Adagio for Strings Op 11 by Samuel Barber, was the first presentation by the senior associates of the ballet. This skilful, almost acrobatic piece was a poignant reminder of how co-operation can produce the near impossible. ‘Lavenders Blue’ was an endearing medley of Nursery Rhymes performed by the Junior Associates in costumes reminiscent of a bygone nursery rhyme book. The young dancers took to the stage with the delicate air of professional performers to enrapture the audience and return them to the innocence of childhood. ‘Strathspey and Reel’ (based on English and Scottish folk songs) and ‘Gone West’ were both ballets based on medleys of well known, traditional songs. It appeared quite out of character to have a drunken sailor staggering over the stage, but his acrobatic antics were cleverly timed to show the skill of these students. The dancing in these pieces was performed with great expression and fun to entertain the audience, while still maintaining a professional calibre. The person responsible for giving these talented youngsters an opportunity in every aspect of creating a ballet, from the conception of an idea through to performance on stage at a professional level, is Jill Tookey. Jill founded the National Youth Ballet in 1988 and her ambition is to see the NYB achieve a firm financial footing to continue its growth and development, hence the ‘Enchanted Tree’ sponsorship campaign. (To discover more about the Garden of Gems’ and the ‘Enchanted Tree’ visit the NYB photo album @ www.dancinginkent.co.uk.) The entries for choreographic competition held at the NYB summer school were exceptional and the winning entries were due to be performed in the programme. Unfortunately, due to injury Robbie Bird was unable to perform ‘Motion’ but ‘Musica Vera’ by Isobel Powell (winner of the Barbara Geoghegan Musicality Cup) was truly inspiring. Finally the whole Company joined together for a fairytale performance of ‘Hansel and Gretel’. The expressions on their faces, followed through with their whole bodies, left no doubt as to the meaning behind any ‘conversation’ that took place. Ros Taylor, the drama coach, should be well-pleased with the performance given by all the students. Both Dale White (Hansel) and Katie Webb (Gretel) with their mischievous ways were very entertaining, and Alice Butcher (Witch) was an extremely convincing evil character. Scenes were varied and stirred different emotions - from the cute birds caring for the lost souls in the woods to the gentle angels keeping watch ‘till morning - from the Dew Fairy and the swirling Morning Mist to the fearsome bats serving the Wicked Witch. A favourite of all the audience was the dance of the junior Gingerbread People and the mood was certainly lifted by Chloe Pennington who took on the humorous role of the Half-baked Gingerbread. It is recommended that anyone having the opportunity to see the National Youth Ballet perform does so without hesitation as seats are sold very quickly. Watch out for news of the forthcoming ‘The Nativity’, workshops and auditions for the NYB! Dancing in Kent |
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