Giannandrea Poesio

Taste for the unusual

Overture 2012: Power and Passion<br /> Royal Albert Hall Julie Gilbert/Jean-Baptiste André<br /> The Place Triple Bill<br /> Royal Opera House

issue 08 November 2008

Overture 2012: Power and Passion
Royal Albert Hall

Julie Gilbert/Jean-Baptiste André
The Place

Triple Bill
Royal Opera House

I have to confess that the idea of 120 children and teenagers dancing to Shostakovich’s 10th Symphony did not sound particularly appealing. I have nothing against children, but their performances bore me to death. The problem is also that when it comes to children one can never say what he/she really thinks; last time I did so, I had to hide from irate parents and relatives calling me an ogre and wanting me burnt at the stake. Still, the fact that Royston Maldoom’s Overture 2012: Power and Passion had been included in this year’s Dance Umbrella stimulated my curiosity. After all, the presentation of unusual performances has been one of the most distinctive and successful traits of the 2008 Umbrella programme.

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