The Critics' Circle National Dance Awards 2008

[leonid17]

Yesterday, The Ninth Annual Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards was held in London at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre.

This award ceremony has grown over the years and on this occasion became a full scale theatrical event which for the first time was opened to the general public free of charge.

The programme was entertainingly and expertly introduced and presented on stage by “The Balletboyz” Michael Nunn and William Trevitt formerly with the Royal Ballet and winners of the 2008 International Emmy in the category Outstanding Achievement in Arts Programming for Strictly Bolshoi.

In the Artsworld Presentation Award for Best Foreign Dance Company, New York City Ballet won the award the other nominees included the Mikhailovsky Ballet and the National Ballet of China.

Agnes Oaks the extraordinary ballerina (definitely a ballerina) with English National Ballet won the Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer.

The Dancing Times Award for Best Male dancer went to Edward Watson of the Royal Ballet when I think many of the audience thought it should have gone to Denis Matvienko of the Mikhailovsky Ballet.

Farouk Ruzimatov graciously presented an award, but appeared disappointed that he was to return to St.Petersburg empty handed when one of his dancers and the Mikhailovsy Ballet had been nominated.

There were three performances in the programme with an energetic tap number to Cab Calloway’s “Happy Feet” performed by Ashley Nottingham(currently on tour appearing as Billy Lawlor in “42nd Street” with eight brilliant tapping girls in support all of whom worked really hard for the money and were worthy of the applause they received. Ash Mukherjee gave something of a cabaret performance in the style of the Bharatanatyam School which exhibited his excellent training and skills coupled with a very engaging personality. The last act was the “Le Corsaire” pas de deux performed by Shiori Kase trained at the Hirose Kato Ballet and Benjamin Ella who trained at his parents school The Australian Conservatoire of Ballet who are now students at the Royal Ballet School. Coincidentally the two dancers took part in the Youth America Grand Prix Competition in 2006.They attacked the choreography full on and gave an exhibition of technical achievement beyond their years but without much style. Miss Shiori Kase has a well developed ability to turn, but exhibits the poor port de bras now sadly typical of the Royal Ballet School graduates.

Wayne Eagling accepted the Dance Europe Award for Outstanding Company for the English National Ballet of which he is the successful Artistic Director. Mr Eagling was accompanied to the event by Monique and their boisterous, charming 21 month old son Michael who was quite happy to show that he already knew the difference when given his fathers spoken direction of port de bras and arabesque.

In an age when London ballet critics are generally not held in high esteem by the regular ballet audience one has to congratulate the the Awards Committee of Mike Dixon(Chairman), Fiona Baile, Debra Craine, Jenny Gilbert, Bruce Marriott, Jann Parry, Freda Pitt and Margaret Willis, for the recognition of the achievement of dancers and companies, performing in the UK.

Mention should be made that without esteemed sponsors, events such as this, cannot take place

Full details of the event and the awards for both dance and ballet can be viewed at

http://www.nationaldanceawards.com/press/index.htm

[Mashinka]

Farouk Ruzimatov graciously presented an award, but appeared disappointed that he was to return to St.Petersburg empty handed when one of his dancers and the Mikhailovsy Ballet had been nominated.

It was bad luck for him that NYCB also paid us a visit last year otherwise I'm sure his company would have won. I'm surprised the Kirov wasn't nominated or don't performances outside of London count?

The Dancing Times Award for Best Male dancer went to Edward Watson of the Royal Ballet when I think many of the audience thought it should have gone to Denis Matvienko of the Mikhailovsky Ballet.

I agree, Matvienko was definitely the best classical dancer of the year, what a pity there wasn't a seperate category for modern dancers too, then both Watson and Matvienko could have walked away with a gong.

[ami1436]

I'm pleased for Yuhui Choe for winning the Spotlight award -- I've been following her since 2002 and I find her magnificent, with gorgeous arms and lovely musicality.

[dirac]

Thanks for the post and the report, leonid. I enjoyed reading it.