In celebration of the LBC’s 75th Anniversary, a Choreographic Fund was set up in order to support new student choreography in the classical genre. The English National Ballet School received £3,000 from this initiative to help fund their collaboration with The Wallace Collection, Royal College of Music, and London College of Fashion. The result of this collaboration was a programme of work based on the Wallace Collection’s exhibition, Inspiring Walt Disney. All the pieces were choreographed by the students and then performed as Dances For An Enchanted Evening at The Wallace Collection before an invited audience.
Today, the members of the London Ballet Circle were invited to the school to watch a performance of these works. Following a very warm welcome from Artistic Director Viviana Durante, we were introduced to Elizabeth Marshall and David Beer who were closely involved with the production. David, who looks after choreography at ENBS, set the scene for the work by describing the particular rooms at the museum where the pieces were staged. He evoked the sense of the French decorative arts displayed so lushly and the ambience of each room.
The works were performed by first, second, and third year students, and very impressive they were! The choreography ran the gamut from classical pointe shoe work to barefoot contemporary ballet, each danced in costumes designed for the piece by students from The London College of Fashion. There were solo performances, pas de deux, and group works. The attendees were impressed by the high standard of the choreography and the excellence of the dancing. It was obvious that the dancers had risen to the challenge set by the school and that they had thoroughly enjoyed the journey from concept to performance.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this very special programme of ballet. The London Ballet Circle is proud to have been able to contribute to its creation.
Written by Susan Dalgetty Ezra
(Please note that some of the works will be included in the school’s summer shows at The Peacock Theatre)