The Invitation Ballet was choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan and was first performed by the Royal Ballet Touring Section at the New Theatre in Oxford on the 10th of November 1960. The original cast were Lynn Seymour as the girl, Christopher Gable as her cousin, Anne Heaton and Desmond Doyle as the husband and wife. They … Read more
A dance revolution or dance boom is a time in history when dancing gets a sudden boost. This could happen when a dance movie comes out, or someone famous promotes dance or even a TV Series such as ‘Dance Moms’ or ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ can bring about a sudden boom in the interest … Read more
This is another one scene ballet by Kenneth MacMillan. The music is by Malcolm Arnold – Eight English Dances. The design was originally done by Barry Kay. Solitaire Ballet was first performed by the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet on the 7th of June 1956. Kenneth MacMillan’s Solitaire Ballet The choreographer called this very early work … Read more
Let’s look at how to appreciate Danses Concertantes Ballet. This is a one act ballet and it was choreographed by the Scottish Kenneth MacMillan. This was his first commission. The music is Stravinsky and the Decor was originally done by Nicholas Geogiadis. Danses Concertantes Ballet was first performed by the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet at … Read more
Let’s look at tap dancing history and how it evolved over time. Tap dancing didn’t just appear out of nowhere. It sprang to life through a fascinating fusion of different cultures. African and Irish dance traditions played a key role in molding what we know today as tap dance. Think complex rhythms from Africa meeting … Read more
Simonson Technique is a unique approach to dance that balances artistry with anatomical principles. Created by the brilliant Lynn Simonson, this technique focuses on using the body’s natural alignment to ensure dancers move safely and efficiently. It’s not just about looking good on stage—it’s about being safe and smart in your movements. Lynn Simonson, the … Read more
If you are a ballet lover like myself, then naturally you would also enjoy modern ballet. How did modern dance start and who began it all? I only started modern dancing in my teens but have always loved it, so much that I got my teachers qualifications for it, and it is still one of … Read more
Let’s take a look at Kenneth Macmillan and how he influenced the world of ballet over the years. If you are wondering who he was, Kenneth MacMillan was the leading ballet choreographer of his generation. Who Was Kenneth MacMillan? He was born in a poor Scottish family in Dunfermline, Fife in 1929. He had a … Read more
The Ballet Broillards was choreographed by John Cranko and was first performed by the Stuttgart Ballet on the 8th of March 1970. The music was by Claude Debussy – Piano Preludes. I unfortunately could not find this ballet, apart from one excerpt on a Facebook page of a company in rehearsal. I did however find … Read more
For the Royal Academy dance is the overall focus and also how to better the training of ballet dancers worldwide, by having well-qualified teachers to do the job. The Royal Academy is well known worldwide as the Royal Academy of Dance and was renamed some years ago as it was previously known as The Royal … Read more