Quantum Leaps
Birmingham Royal Ballet, Sadler’s Wells
Despite the clever in-joke/reference, Quantum Leaps is not exactly a crowd-pulling title for a ballet evening. Last week, outside Sadler’s Wells, a couple of passers-by had trouble imagining how someone could turn a television hit into a ballet. And, on the opening night, a lady was heard querying whether the programme had something to do with James Bond. Yet such an ambiguous title — Latin and scientific terms are seldom popular — fits the bill perfectly, as it encapsulates the essence of the energetic, thought-provoking modern ballet that is on offer.
Stanton Welch created Powder in 1998 to Mozart’s haunting Clarinet Concerto in A major. The ballet, which has not lost its engaging freshness, could be numbered alongside the many other choreographic tributes to the composer’s genius. Still, it is not just another dance tribute to the immortal Amadeus, but a clever dance piece that stands out for inventiveness, both in terms of structure and dramaturgy as well.
Get Britain's best politics newsletters
Register to get The Spectator's insight and opinion straight to your inbox. You can then read two free articles each week.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in