The Rambert Dance Company are back in Norwich this October with the promise of an exciting and dynamic mixed bill under new Artistic Director Mark Baldwin. "There was more fear in me in taking the job than I expected," said Baldwin of his new post. "I shouldn't have been so frightened of it. I was lucky in that I was a dancer in the Rambert for 10 years and that gives me an insight into the company already. "It gave me a very clear idea about the kind of thing I wanted to commission for the company. I think our currency is new work. I've got a confidence about that and a belief in that." The Company's 22 dancers are drawn from all over the world. Trained in both classical and contemporary techniques they create an internationally renowned ensemble of extraordinary technical strength and dramatic flair. "I have a confidence in the way the dancers grow and mature as artists because they're having new works made for them," said Baldwin. "It was my number one priority for the company. To preserve our heritage, but have the confidence to make new work." The Norwich programme opens with Hans Van Manaen's Visions Fugitives. Performed to Prokofiev's score, it comprises 15 miniatures, each lasting between 20 seconds and two minutes. This evocative score was the inspiration for the Dutch choreographer to create dances that range from the sinister to the playful. PreSentient, by the celebrated British choreographer Wayne McGregor, is a thrilling work inspired by Steve Reich's kinetic score, Triple Quartet. The choreography pushes 12 dancers to their physical limits, as they perform complex, razor-sharp movement at a frenzied but precise pace. In January 2003, PreSentient won McGregor the Time Out Award for Outstanding Choreography. 
Dancers performing Elsa Canasta |
The evening ends on a high with Elsa Canasta the latest work to be created for Rambert by Javier De Frutos. It is performed to music and songs by Cole Porter, including a recently re-discovered ballet score that Porter wrote for the Swedish Ballet in 1923. Joining the dancers on stage will be a female jazz singer who will perform three of Porter's songs, So in Love, Down in the Depths and Ridin' High. It is the ambiguity of Porter's lyrics that has provided De Frutos with the trigger for his choreography. Baldwin's vision is to create works that are physically powerful, emotionally engaging and above all entertaining for audiences. "You have to be careful with the programmes," acknowledge Baldwin. "You're always thinking of balance and mix so you know when they come they'll see amazing and brilliant dancing. "I think our audience comes because they know they'll see new work, see incredible dancing and hear amazing music." | 
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