Scottish Ballet
- Source: The List (Issue 572)
- Date: 27 March 2007 (updated 5 July 2007)
- Written by: Kelly Apter
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Theatre Royal, Glasgow, Wed 11 - Sat 14 Apr, then touring
BALLET
(Photo: © Merlin Hendry)
It’s 20 years since the death of Scottish Ballet’s founder, Peter Darrell, and you can’t help but wonder what he’d make of the company today. After prolonged periods of uncertainty, Scottish Ballet has become a class act, able to hold its own among the major players of the dance world. As the company prepares to unleash yet another striking programme, it’s surely doing enough to make any forefather proud.
Darrell believed strongly in fostering upcoming talent, so it seems apt that a rising star will take the lead role in one of his key works. Choreographed by Darrell in 1971, Othello is a one-act ballet filled with drama. Stepping into the weighty shoes of Othello himself, is young dancer Gregory Dean (pictured). Despite his position as Artist - bottom of the ballet company hierarchy - Dean has snapped up some plum roles since his arrival in 2005. ‘It’s all happened very fast,’ he says. ‘Othello has been challenging to do because it’s a very dramatic role. Every gesture means something in the development of the character.’
Joining Othello on the spring programme are George Balanchine’s geometrical masterpiece, Agon, Ashley Page’s dance drama Room of Cooks, and Krzysztof Pastor’s stunning In Light & Shadow. Dean also features in Pastor’s work, which was last seen wowing audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. ‘It’s dance for dance’s sake,’ says Dean of Pastor’s ballet. ‘It’s a high energy piece to perform, full of jubilant dancing.’
More: Theatre, Previews (Theatre), Agon, Ashley Page, George Balanchine, Gregory Dean, Othello, Room of Cooks, Scottish Ballet
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