See the current crop of performers in all-male dance troupe BalletBoyz at their powerful best when they present inventive double bill Them/Us.
This critically acclaimed company is internationally renowned for taking an athletic and adaptable approach towards dance. Always charismatic, and sometimes quite cheeky, BalletBoyz uses ballet technique as a foundation for developing dynamic and accessible dance productions.
The ensemble is dancing at Milton Keynes Theatre for one night only this month. Theatregoers have plenty to look forward to as the boys will showcase their aptitude as budding choreographers alongside their versatility as expressive, energetic dancers in Them/Us.
This double bill - which is set to contrasting scores by composer Charlotte Harding (Them) and singer/songwriter Keaton Henson (Us) - asks where we see ourselves in relation to the perceived “other” by exploring the delicate balance between them and us.
Part one, Them, is the first ever production in the company’s 19-year history to be conceived by BalletBoyz’ own in-house talent.
Devised and developed by the dancers themselves, Them is a playful piece of abstract dance that incorporates a large sculpture in the form of a lightweight cuboid frame.
Part two, Us, is a work by Tony and Olivier Award-winning British choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.
Us was originally a tender duet created by Wheeldon for BalletBoyz in 2017. He was asked to extend the work for this new double bill by considering what happened before those two people came together.
As the maestro behind numerous ballet creations and the 2017 production An American in Paris, Wheeldon is lauded for the ease with which he generates fluid movement for groups of dancers. Expect to be swept away by his portrayal of the human connections that precede the duet.
BalletBoyz was co-founded in 2000 by former Royal Ballet dancers Michael Nunn and William Trevitt. They have since mentored an ever-changing team of fresh-faced young dancers, all keen to inspire and educate audiences with stunning live performances, films and television documentaries.
The current BalletBoyz company dancers are Bradley Waller, Matthew Sandiford, Harry Price, Benjamin Knapper, Liam Riddick and Dominic Rocca.
Watch the video trailer for Them/Us: here
BalletBoyz presents Them/Us at Milton Keynes Theatre on Monday (September 9) at 7.30pm. Click here to book.
Georgina Butler is a journalist, a dance writer and a dance teacher who specialises in teaching classical ballet. Click here and follow her on Twitter @GeorginaLButler and Instagram @glbdancewriter
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