Asphodel Meadows was the main stage debut for young choreographer Liam Scarlett. Unlike most choreographers of his generation, Scarlett is pretty traditional, preferring clean, precise and more classical lines. Think more Balanchine than McGregor. The three main couples were echoed by a beige clad corps, and while if there was a concept it passed me by, the dancing was certainly a pleasure to watch. Scarlett is not exactly bringing something novel or fresh with his choreography, but provided he does what he does well, I can't imagine he won't get a second outing on the main stage.
Mats Ek's Carmen is an unusual piece, but one that I greatly enjoyed seeing for the second time. The garish background (a fan, with a suggestively shaped and placed slit doorway at the bottom) and costumes, perfectly complement and contrast the choreography. Unusually for ballet, there are gutteral screams and shouts of olé, which creates a great rough and ready atmosphere, and adds to the dramatic tension that builds as events reach their dramatic conclusion. Tamara Rojo was a fantastic Carmen, and Thomas Whitehead a superb José. Kristen McNally dancing the odd choreography of M perfectly, evoking both confused outbursts of laughter and eery spine-tingling as she weaves on and off the stage.
All in all a very enjoyable triple-bill, without a weak link for once. It will be intriguing to see what Liam Scarlett does next!
