Some quick links:
Last Discussion thread (mainly about Sadler's Wells performances)
George Piper Dances Reviews
George Piper Dances Web site
George Piper Dances Tour Details

That's it - now add your thoughts....

Oct 18
Gainesville, Fl
Curtis Center for the Performing Arts
7.30pm Performance
Box Office:
(352) 392-2787
http://www.cpa.ufl.edu

Oct 21
WPAS
Washington
Lisner Auditorium
7.30pm Performance
Box Office: 202 785 9727
http://www.wpas.org

Oct 23, 24 & 25
Dance Affiliates,
Philadelphia, PA
Zellerbach Theatre
Performances 7.30pm – Oct 23, 8pm – Oct 24, 2pm & 8pm – Oct 25
Box Office: 215 898 3900
http://www.PennPresents.org

Oct 30
The Egg, Albany, New York
8pm performance
Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre
Box Office: 518-473-1845
http://www.theegg.org

Nov 1
Pittsburgh Dance Council, PA
The Byham Theatre
Performance 8pm
Box Office: 412 456 6666
http://www.pgharts.org

Nov 4 - 9
New York City
Joyce Theatre
8pm performance (2pm/7.30pm 11/9)
Box Office: 212 242 0800
http://www.joyce.org

Feb 20, 21 & 23
Dance St Louis, MO
Edison Theatre
8pm Performances (2pm on 22nd)
Box office: 314.935.6543
http://www.edisontheatre.wustl.edu

Feb 26, 27 & 28
8pm Performance
Columbia College, Chicago, IL
Box office: 312-344-8300
http://www.dancecenter.org

Congrats to everybody - and so very well deserved!

The first dance was "Steptext", by William Forsythe, music JS Bach, Chaconne No. 4 in D minor for solo violin. "A spellbinding exercise in deconstructed classicism... a powerful display of dance at its very limits" (Notes on the Program). The four dancers, Hubert Essakow, Michael Nunn, William Trevitt and Monica Zamora dance choreography that is, at times, lyrical with flashes of classical movement, but also has displays of aggression and arrogance, along with prolonged moments of quiet and stillness. Forsythe is a protege of Adorno scholars and uses the interaction of contradictions and opposites to develop new definitions for art and dance. The dance is beautiful and yet often disturbing, the single woman is sometimes strong and other times being dragged around by one of the men. Sometimes the dancers are in opposition, sometimes in harmony, sometimes standing and watching and other times ignoring the others on stage. I was fascinated to see the contrast in styles of each of the dancers. All are obviously extremely well trained but each one is very unique.

The short intermission was filled with a funny, yet enlightening video with interesting scenes about both William Forsythe and Christopher Wheeldon. Christopher tells a funny story about attending a private boys school and trying to hide the fact that he was taking ballet. I thought the videos really engaged the audience.

I had been anxiously waiting to see Christopher Wheeldon's "Mesmerics", music by Philip Glass, danced by all five of the dancers. The music is delicious, and the dance flows effortlessly from an almost serene beginning to a strong emotional ending. The interactions between the dancers was wonderful, Hubert and Oxana matched beautifully in size and style. Michael and Billy were also a beautiful pairing, again I was intrigued by the subtle, fascinating contrast between the two. All the various permutations were exciting, Monica and Oxana, the three men, all five of the dancers together, and how each worked so well, enhancing the overall impact of the dance. The patterns on the stage and against the backdrop were beautiful, the movement sensual and relational. Having been privileged to see a rehearsal of this piece in London a couple of months ago it was a true joy to see the brilliant finished product. It is a beautiful ensemble piece that accentuates musicality and fluid movement.

The second video was also very funny and entertaining, hinting at the hard work and actual pain involved in learning how to dance at this level.

"Torsion" a dance choreographed by Russell Maliphant to music by Richard English, was the final piece. Danced by Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, this dance exploits those similarities and differences between Michael and Billy, who are similar in height and size and have the exact same background and training. Throughout the evening I found the interactions of these two was amazing, with each other and with the other three dancers. Michael has a beautiful, classical line that is soft yet always strongly there. He is the perfect partner, a consummate dancer that complements, supports and enhances his dancing partner. Michael alone is a wonderful, elegant dancer, but with a partner he becomes even more wonderful. Billy also has beautiful, classical technique and is able to project a hard, almost rough image. In his solo, he circles the stage in a spinning crouch that brought cheers from the crowd. The dance comes to conclusion with lifts and movements are done at an increasing speed, sometimes they work in unison, sometimes in sequence and other times in contrast. It ends with an unusual move where Michael holds Billy like a handheld rocket launcher.
This difference of style was also noticeable in person. While both are extremely charming and friendly, when Michael looks at you, you feel included, he has a chatty, informal way of talking. Billy looks at you with those piercing eyes and you feel you had better make what ever you say good, and then, of course, he smiles.

George Piper Dances deserved their numerous curtain calls, they were wonderful.

The company seem to be going well in the USA - just love it that they got so much pre show publicity too. Thank you for the review and also to 'monkeysraincoat' (I did ask but the background to teh name has gone again!) for the ealier one on the previous thread:
http://www.danze.co.uk/dcforum/happening/3897.html#28

Regarding GPD, you've no idea how wonderful it has been for we GPD fans in America to be able to see them finally performing here on our side of the Atlantic. We too are enjoying the fabulous reviews and incredible reception that this amazing little company has garnered. They deserve every bit of success and then some as they have earned it. They are astounding.

~dani

GPD has also been nominated for the Company Prize for Outstanding Repertoire (classical) category.

Good stuff indeed!

And she won

Theatre Royal Glasgow 9-10th March 7.30pm 0141 332 9000

Richmond Theatre 29-30th March 7.45pm 020 8940 0088

Warwick Arts Centre 21-22nd April 7.30pm 024 7652 4524

The Lowry, Salford 14th May 8pm 0870 787 5790
" " 15th May 8pm & 3pm

Snape Maltings 21,22 May 7.30pm 01728 687110

Edinburgh Festival Theatre 8th June 7.30pm 0131 529 6000

Queen's Theatre Barnstaple 23 June 7.45pm 01271 324242

Milton Keynes Theatre 26 June 7.30pm 01908 606090

Concert Hall, Brighton Dome 1st July 7.30pm 01273 709709

Theatre Royal , Norwich 16th July 7.30pm 01603 630000

The company will perform a programme which includes Russell Maliphant's 'Broken Fall' ,Christopher Wheeldon's 'Mesmerics'
and William Forsythe's 'Approximate Sonata I,V' .
The dancers are Billy Trevitt, Michael Nunn, Oxana Panchenko, Monica Zamora and Hubert Essakow.

AND...Mike and Billy have A NEW SERIES STARTING ON CHANNEL FOUR IN JUNE entitled Channel Four's Guide to Choreography.
So, lots of chances to see the fabulous GPD !!

My husband and I loved the video and wanted more. Any chance a DVD of the video/dance diaries broadcast on Channel Four in the UK could be sold and shipped? We looked for someone selling DVD's at the performance but all seemed surprised we were even asking. Being a marketing professional this type of promotional sale is a no brainer. I bet there are plenty who want more after seeing a performance. Plus this is a way for me to share with my family of dancers the experience.

Let me know, I've got a charge card ready for purchasing and can do it over a secured web site or fax the info.

Great job.

It does seem crazy that a small company like this (an there are many others) shouldn't increase their revenue by making their own videos. But maybe there would be copyright problems.

I'll second that!! Also can they make the DVD's in the US format too.

The new piece in their rep was Broken Fall, very much appreciated when they premiered it at the Royal Ballet with Sylvie Guillem, and last night Oxana Panchenko got to do all the scary falls. But the Wheeldon piece - Mesmerics - is the big stand out in what is a strong evening of dance. The run continues through t Saturday (27th)

Some quick links
GPD Reviews
Broken Fall reviews - including RB version