UK Theatre Network

On Tuesday 15th February for one night only, the audience were enthralled by the  incredible talents of Balletboyz , ensuring a swift and welcome return.

Balletboyz (formerly known as George Piper Dances), founded in 2001 by Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, has made a dramatic mark on the British dance scene. It has thrilled audiences and dance critics alike with its exhilarating mix of award winning repertoire, performance style and high artistic standards.

Michael and Billy, previously lead dancers with The Royal Ballet, became better known for their Ballet Boyz programmes on Channel 4 which followed their every move during The Royal Ballet’s nomadic years whilst the Royal Opera House was under renovation. Having developed a taste for film and sharing the highs and lows of creating a show, film work has become intrinsic to Balletboyz performances and is a popular way of demystifying the artform and the choreographic process.

There were three dance pieces in the evening, interspersed with film about the casting and training of the 9 new BalletBoyz. 

Torsion by Russell Maliphant
Balletboyz signature duet (originally created on Balletboyz founders Michael Nunn and William Trevitt) has been reworked by Russsell Maliphant for six dancers. It is a breathtaking display of power, grace, precision and technique featuring thrilling partnering work and stunning lighting by the acclaimed designer Michael Hulls.  The moody lighting enhances the exhilarating build-up of power, the cantilevered lifts, the rolling bodies and lunges, which can’t be easy in demin. It retains the extraordinary central image of a dancer spinning a wide, slow circle on his knees as if unwinding the work's energy on a thread. I couldn’t help but think that in 20 years time a few knee replacements might be required!

Alpha by Paul Roberts
An ensemble piece commissioned by Balletboyz, Paul Roberts is a pre-eminent choreographer working within the commercial sector and has worked with Boyzone, Girls Aloud and Pixie Lott to name but a few. A beautifully haunting work of lyrical, masculine dancing, Alpha proved to be a sure fire hit with audiences up and down the country. Original music is by up and coming singer-songwriter Keaton Henson.
Clad in hooded pyjama-style silks, the cast execute smoothly elusive lifts and flips.

Void by Jarek Cemerek
In his first commission for a major company exciting Czech choreographer Jarek Cemerek created a new piece of adrenaline fuelled frenzy exquisite dancing. Jarek is based in Prague and has danced as a freelance artist all over Europe.  Produced and directed by Nunn and Trevitt.

Balletboyz is an extraordinary evening of fluid movements, strength and flexibility.  The ripped bodies of these young men seemed to be made of rubber as they contorted their torsos into more and more unusual positions.  I marvelled at their lightness of foot as they moved silently and effortlessly through lifts and tumbles without breaking into a sweat. 

In the Q&A after the show I asked how they warmed up before the show, as one slight wrong movement could incur serious damage?   Apparently they do a full run-through each day and individually warm-up for half an hour prior to the show.  The average age when the boys started contemporary dancing seems to be between 16-18 and each day they have to do ballet to instil a greater sense of discipline.

The choreographers on this show were chosen from 180 that auditioned and 5 were selected.  The shows evolve and organically change throughout the tour and what was most surprising to learn is that each dancer changes roles daily!  That shows the extraordinary skill and talent of each dancer and the calibre of their craft.

The tour continues with one nighters around the country and will culminate in a week at Sadler’s Wells Theatre from 29th March to 4th April.  Full details can be seen on www.balletboyz.com

Yvonne Delahaye