THE INFORMATION ON: The Martha Graham Company

What Is It?

This is the first London visit by the Martha Graham for 20 years and it has prompted some critics to ask whether the company can flourish without Graham's charismatic presence (the legendary dancer died in 1991). The mixed bill is drawn from her most prolific period, during the 1930s and 1940s, with work such as Errand into the Maze, Chronicle and her most famous piece, the landmark ballet Appalachian Spring (spoiled here by the poor reproduction of Aaron Copland's music on tape).

What They Say About It

"Christine Dakin's performance in Errand is strong, clear and vivid; this kind of expressiveness is what we once used to see from all Graham's dancers," John Percival, The Independent.

"An unmissable exhibition of genius, though there are weak performances to ignore," Ismene Brown, The Daily Telegraph.

"The performances [in Appalachian Spring] disappointed, the cast lacking the focus and flame needed to turn so much theatrical artifice into living emotion," Debra Craine, The Times.

Where You Can See It

The Martha Graham Company is at the Barbican, London EC2 (0171-638 8891) until tomorrow