PART of an initiative to bring Birmingham Royal Ballet to new, smaller venues, its visit to Durham's Gala marked a first for the company usually associated with the Sunderland Empire.

As the Empire is currently closed for refurbishment, there was a ready-made audience keen to get its ballet fix, and all three shows were sold out.

The Gala's intimacy served the three, very different pieces well. Rather than observing from afar, the audience was able to watch at close quarters and pick up on some of dancers' expressions which otherwise, would have been missed. This was particularly beneficial in the second and third pieces, both of which depended heavily on characterisation.

Dante Sonata, created by Sir Frederick Ashton in 1940 to express the futility of war, saw a dramatic shift in mood from the opening movement, the light and airy Allegri Diversi. Two distinct groups of dancers represented goodness and evil; their flowing white costumes and straps of bondage set against a stark background. The sense of struggle and suffering was effectively conveyed in this emotionally-charged piece through repetitive jerking movements and crucifixion imagery.

The final movement provided welcome relief, with its gaudy costumes reflecting the jazz music. Having the orchestra sit on stage dressed as outrageously as the dancers was a nice touch, but the real show-stealers were the diminutive Kosuke Yamamoto and the statuesque Silvia Jimenez, who made a delightfully comic pair.

Overall, an entertaining and engaging show, highlighting BRB's versatility.

Published: 27/04/2004