2013 - the year in review: The best dance of the year
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Natalia Osipova as Juliet with The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London
Osipova, an ex-Bolshoi ballerina with thrilling stage presence, joined The Royal Ballet in autumn 2013. Her first Juliet with the company was electrifying, both for the lush power of her dancing and for powerful dramatic insight. Osipova has The Royal Ballet’s rich dramatic repertory ahead of her: I can’t wait.
Rocío Molina, "Danzaora", Sadler’s Wells
One of the world’s greatest flamenco dancers, Molina is an utterly individual talent. In this solo show, she’s fierce, funny and commanding. In one scene, she dances around a wineglass, delicate feet brushing over the top – then stamping it to smithereens and rattling over the fragments.
"Dracula", Mark Bruce Company
The superb Jonathan Goddard made an animalistic vampire, as far outside human morality as a shark or a wolf. Around him, Mark Bruce’s production conjured a creepy, funny fin-de-siècle setting, using the atmosphere of venues such as Bristol’s Tobacco Factory and Wilton’s Music Hall in London.
"24 Preludes", The Royal Ballet, Royal Opera House, London
Alexei Ratmansky’s first work for The Royal Ballet is romantic and highly distinctive. Danced to Jean Françaix’s odd arrangement of Chopin, it shows off its dancers’ strong personalities in shimmering, mercurial dances.
"Mark Morris Dance Group", Sadler’s Wells, London
With seven UK premieres, this repertory season was a chance to catch up with one of the world’s best-loved choreographers. Highlights included A Wooden Tree, a delightfully daft romp to comic songs by Ivor Cutler, and the remarkable Socrates, which hides mysterious depths beneath a limpid, classical surface.
Discovery of the year
Olga Smirnova
The Bolshoi Ballet’s young star has a moonlit glow to her dancing. Two years after graduating from ballet school, she’s already a fully fledged ballerina, long-limbed and elegant in La Bayadère and Diamonds. As the Bolshoi recovers from a year of scandals, Smirnova is one of its hopes for the future.
Turkey of the Year
"Midnight Express", Peter Schaufuss Ballet, London Coliseum
Sergei Polunin pulled out of this horror at the last minute – and though he’s getting a reputation for vanishing acts, it was hard to blame him in this case. Schaufuss’ prison ballet was embarrassingly bad, with disco brutality and aerobics-class angst.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments