ATN Review: Ballet Black, Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House Reviewed by Angel Smith
Published Monday, 2 March, 2009
Ballet Black founded and directed by Cassa Pancho is a young classical ballet company who encourage dancers from black and Asian backgrounds. A triumph, especially when for decades dancers from these backgrounds were told that they did not have the right physique for ballet.
Set up in 2001, Ballet Black’s latest performance took place in the Linbury Studio Theatre of the Royal Opera House and as a first timer to the ballet scene I was amazed at how immediately I fell in love and took to the performances. It was riveting, exciting, and mesmerising, with nothing to try and understand about the show but pure musical interpretation combined with passion and style.
I was wowed at the sight of Hugo Côrtes leaping across the stage and the passion in Cira Robinson's eyes when together they performed Martin Lawrence’s Pendulum. This was my favourite piece which explored combat and intimacy.
My only criticism of the night is that there were too few black supporters of Ballet Black.
Ballet Black founded and directed by Cassa Pancho is a young classical ballet company who encourage dancers from black and Asian backgrounds. A triumph, especially when for decades dancers from these backgrounds were told that they did not have the right physique for ballet.
