Ballet Central are back on tour this summer with an exciting programme which showcases the talent of Central School of Ballet’s graduating class of 2023. Inspiring new audiences, the Ballet Central tour is the perfect introduction to ballet for audiences of all ages.
This year’s tour combines renowned classical works from Sir Frederick Ashton and Michael Pink with contemporary repertoire from Sophie Laplane and two new commissions by Morgann Runacre-Temple and Darshan Singh Bhuller. Each piece has been specially chosen to celebrate the 40th birthday of the world-renowned ballet school.
Created by the Central School of Ballet’s new Artistic Director Kate Coyne, the mixed-repertoire features some familiar stories alongside contemporary pieces and brand-new work.
As always, the programme is formed around Ballet Central’s relationships with leading choreographers and dance industry influencers and provides the opportunity for students to experience performance in front of a ticket-buying audience. Central School of Ballet is the only professional dance training school in the UK providing touring experience on such a scale.
This year’s company is made up of 32 young dancers: the future stars of dance.
The Ballet Central Tour will feature Monotones I and The Two Pigeons pas de deux, two contrasting pieces from Sir Frederick Ashton. Monotones I is an earthy pas de trois, the pinnacle of Ashton’s classicism, while The Two Pigeons presents a romantic story told through evocative movement. Central’s founder, Christopher Gable, was the first to perform this piece in 1961 with The Royal Ballet.
Ballet Central’s co-founder Michael Pink will present work from Mirror Mirror. The Snow White fairy tale is given a shadowy retelling in this narrative ballet accompanied by a score from Central’s Musical Director, Phillip Feeney.
The Pygmalion myth is explored in Dextera, created by Sophie Laplane and staged by Thomas Edwards, both Central School of Ballet alumni.
The repertoire is completed by two new commissions by Morgann Runacre-Temple and Darshan Singh Bhuller.
Morgann Runacre-Temple, an alumna of Central School of Ballet, will create a ballet-based work accompanied by commissioned music from Phillip Feeney.
Morgann’s recent works include Hotel for Birmingham Royal Ballet and Coppélia for Scottish Ballet. Darshan Singh Bhuller returns to Ballet Central, ten years after his work Mapping #3 was featured in the 2013 tour. Darshan has danced for London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Siobhan Davies Dance Company, and was Assistant Director for Richard Alston Dance Company before revitalizing Phoenix Dance Theatre as its Artistic Director.
