"Barely two years old, London City Ballet is flying high - very high, in fact. The modern-day revival of the original touring company (1978-97), this 15-strong troupe, dreamt up and assembled by dancer, choreographer and entrepreneur Christopher Marney, is creating new levels of excitement in the British ballet world. No wonder Sadler's Wells was abuzz with expectation as London City Ballet's current mixed bill, Momentum, reached London as part of an extensive international tour."
"There was much to look forward to. Marney is committed to programming works which meant something in their time but have somehow faded into near oblivion: Momentum includes early pieces by Balanchine and Liam Scarlett. Also in the programme, and brand new to the UK, is Pictures at an Exhibition by one of the top choreographers of the moment, the US-based Ukrainian Alexei Ratmanski."
"George Balanchine's 1947 Haieff Divertimento, set to a spiky orchestral piece by Alexei Haieff, is a work for five couples in simple black and white costumes (very pale blue for the four subsidiary women). It requires absolute precision, both in individual execution and in ensemble dancing. The choreography is tricky and unforgiving: hops en pointe starting on bent knee and stretching to full pointe recur."
London City Ballet is a 15-strong revival of the original touring company, rapidly gaining acclaim across an international tour. Momentum is a mixed bill that revives historically significant but neglected works and introduces contemporary choreography. The programme includes early pieces by George Balanchine and Liam Scarlett, and features Alexei Ratmansky's Pictures at an Exhibition for the first time in the UK. Each season includes a new commission, this year from Paris Opera Ballet premier danseur Florent Mélac. Internationally renowned principals perform alongside talented young dancers, including Constance Devernay-Laurence, Joseph Taylor and Alina Cojocaru. Balanchine's 1947 Haieff Divertimento demands exacting precision, challenging lifts, and unforgiving choreography.
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