Rating: NNNNN
1sumida river Fujiwara Dance Inventions, November 22-26
As a mother grieving the loss of her son, the intense Denise Fujiwara created a primal body mask of pain and nostalgia as she knelt, crept and pulled her way along the vast stage to Natsu Nakajima’s version of the 15th-century Noh play. Riveting.2ONEGIN National Ballet of Canada, February 16-20
There’s no better dramatic dancer in the National than Rex Harrington, who thrilled with his mature, generous interpretation of the cynical Russian cad. Happily, his Tatiana was Xiao Nan Yu, who has the word “star” tutu’d all over her.
3INTERIOR VIEW PEGGY BAKER DANCE PROJECTS, NOVEMBER 9-19
THE EVER-INVENTIVE PEGGY BAKER INVITED AUDIENCES TO SIT ONSTAGE, PRESENTING A PROGRAM OF DANCE AND MUSIC — WITH ANDREW BURASHKO ON THE PIANO — THAT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS BEING CREATED ON THE SPOT. UNFORGETTABLE.
4in spite of wishing and wanting ULTIMA VEZ, OCTOBER 3-7
WHEN NOT INTERRUPTED BY ANNOYING FILM FOOTAGE, THE FLEMISH TROUPE’S LATEST OFFERING — AN ENSEMBLE PIECE FOR 11 MALE DANCERS, INCLUDING ONE NON-SEEING ARTIST — EMANATED ATHLETIC, KINETIC GRACE. ALL UNDERSCORED WITH DAVID BYRNE’S COOL SOUNDS.
5alma flamenca/flamenco soul ESMERELDA ENRIQUE SPANISH DANCE COMPANY, NOVEMBER 30- DECEMBER 3
NOTHING LIKE A BIT OF FLAMENCO-FLAVOURED DANCE TO WARM THE SOUL ON A COLD DECEMBER DAY. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S AS PASSIONATELY PRIMAL AND INVIGORATING AS THIS FOOT-STOMPING PROGRAM, CHOREOGRAPHED BY THE CHARISMATIC ESMERELDA ENRIQUE HERSELF. BEATS A TRIP TO SPAIN.
WORST
WORST
THE FIREBIRD NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
THE FIREBIRD NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
THE FIREBIRD NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA
Expensive plumage, didn’t fly.
STILL Susanna Hood/hum
Still? I’m still trying to figure out what Susanna Hood was up to, other than putting her embarrassing personal diary onstage. * glenns@nowtoronto.com
Expensive plumage, didn’t fly.
