K Ballet Reviews K Ballet Interviews & News

What is the 'K' for?

K is for Kumakawa, of course, however, above all, K is also for 'keen and to kindle' for that means all for this company.

Packed wall to wall the audience kindled the company into a much more energetic performance. It matched even the buying of the tickets which were sold out in a 10 minutes or so. There were no information on casting or programme of the tour until the theatre door open on the day. We had to buy 15 pounds programme if we would like to know about the company member or the brief note of the dancing pieces. 99.5% of keen fans in the auditorium are always ladies. Ticket prices ranged from £70-£35, no returns, no student discounts... What a monster company 'K' is!

With exotic and passionate rhythm of Flamenco, Kumakawa began to dance behind the gauzy curtain. The music has been changed into Bizet's "L'Arlienne". All the six men began to dance energetically and female corps danced like flamenco dancers.

‘Pieces of Eight’ is now very familiar piece for Teddy's fans, since he danced the centre part last year in his summer show series called "Made in London". Now the new centre is a much younger Matthew Dibble. He gave me very good impression such as summer breeze with fresh and neat presence showed some high school boy and girl love besides his relationship with elder guys (danced by Trevitt and Nunn). Music was by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra - one with a Celtic image.

‘The Vary People’ was very witty, a piece with humour. Cassidy and Avis did the lead comic part; sometimes with Elizabethan collars and sometimes walked in a Chaplin style, appearing to the audience every time through the wooden door, it gave me an imagination just like C.S Lewis's story which happened in a Wardrobe. Many audiences liked it very much, though I thought the piece needed more depth. It was vary nice but a bit shallow.

Unfortunately ‘Harlquinada’ was worst part of the night, because I cannot call it was in a level which we all enjoy their dance. Trevitt was good but Tetlow's part was very unsettled.

I was very fond of ‘Cry Baby, Kreisler’. Gary Avis's dance was very characterised as nervous and arrogant pianist. Leanne Benjamin was so gorgeous spirit of piano, tempting pianist very much. Matthew Hart's choreography was very sophisticated and has consistency, so it was very short piece but has a sense of fulfilment.

The last piece ‘Concerto In F’ had a very short introduction with behind the stage comic scene. The K Ballet members walked from the right wing (one red and gold flag hanged) to the left wing (K flag hanged) maybe some intuitive people know what it means. The Concerto was danced in an Opera House situation. Music was all Mozart, consisting of 6 parts, and the atmosphere was just like Symphony in C. I loved the choreography and beautiful corps and impressive solos of each member of male dancers. The lead of the ladies was Leanne Benjamin and in the soloists part, Belinda Hernandez (ex-ENB dancer) and Anna Tetlow.

At the curtain call, Teddy threw one big red rose bouquet to the auditorium. Maybe this is his style of saying thank you for the audience.

Was this the clear and great setting sail? I hope they will find their own way to the first Treasure Island, beyond some stormy weather or some troubles during the journey.

The tour has started from 5 of May and ends 11 of June. In every performance, there are some cast change happens (not by injury or ill). So at some performances Satanella pas de deux has been danced by various dancers. It means you have to see at least 5 performances if you enjoy whole the casts and pieces. The impression of the performances depends on who dances what on the day.

The second tour will be in November and in December. Tickets have been completely sold out in Tokyo area already