Review from a Scottish Ballet dancer

[Alexandra]

Scottish Ballet is putting up reviews (quite long, thoughtful reviews) by its dancers on work they've seen. This one is subtitled "A personal view by Scottish Ballet Soloist Emma Sandall."

San Francisco Ballet

One particularly beautiful pas de deux reminded me of stick insects mating. The cleanliness of the technique was a delight to watch and the piece was free of pretension. The dancers were not required to be anything other than themselves focused on executing the work to the best of their ability. My ‘naff alarm’ went off only once when the boys all linked hands wove in and out of one another like playing Ring a ring of roses but as with all the segments it did not last too long.

Rush is set to a beautiful sweeping piece of music by Martinu Sinfonietta La Jolla. The costumes were vibrant and flattering and again the lighting was very effective. In the middle came an extremely well danced pas de deux. Julie Diana was divine. Her totally unpretentious style was spoiled only occasionally by an odd unnecessary choreographed gesture.