I wished people would stop saying that this is not ballet. This is not classical ballet, this is contemporary ballet, but it's still ballet. And it has been around long enough for being recognized as such. When it comes to liking this or not, everybody must decide for themselves (I personally love the awkward poses that constantly break up the tension arising between the dancers). THIS IS BALLET! DEAL WITH IT!
What an extraordinary body Olivia has..so flexible & beautiful. Ed is fantastic as always. Wayne makes ‘classical’ ballet look so ordinary! Love his work, a real genius
Magnificent! I was reading a story about the best Royal Opera House productions during the last decade and they mentioned Carbon Life. What a treat to find this sneak peak into the making of it. Brilliant. I am very thankful for the post.
I just LOVE the contrast between technical precision and naturalistic gesture...the use of the body is just so full on! I have been inspired by Mr McGregor once again...:)
When is this on??... just now!!!! And I can't recommend enough.It's absolutely AMAZING even visually plus there's live singers like Boy George, Alison Mosshart... I've been repeating WOW, WOW non stop from the Covent garden to my place. Really, I didn't expect something that brilliant. YOU HAVE TO GO! Hurry up with the tickets , they're almost sold out!
I was just reading the anecdote of the "Doll" I can't blame that japanese photographer...Sarah Lamb do look like a doll,she is very pretty and talented dancer aussi! Oh Wayne McGregor what an amazing choreographer.
Really enjoyed the contemporary ballet at the Royal Opera House, fantastic night. First time hearing live singing on stage during ballet, let alone rap, which surprisingly worked. Trying to find the music and songs that were sang by Brody Dalle, Sam Sparro, Roseli etc. absolutely beautiful in the last section, really moved me...Carbon Life. Can anyone help?🌺
I agree the classical repertoire will always be the cornerstone of any classical ballet company, particularly one like RB. But there are many contemporary works that are quickly becoming "must haves" as well. "In the Middle Somewhat Elevated" for example. And frankly to be considered a vital fresh company and not a "museum" dedicated to the past, companies like RB must work with new choreographers and fresh ideas. No one wants to be stagnant only repeating what's been done over and over.
Don't we get bored of the Giselles, (which I loveee), Coppelia, Swan Lake, etc, when the dancers bring nothing special just technical mastery poor musicality! Wayne Macgregor is innately gifted, His CHROMA blew my mind a decade ago.
Actually a lot of choreographers do that these days. It seems to help with explaining the quality of movement that they want. What the movement "sounds" like.
And a general comment about Balanchine and the work and works like it. I suppose as I'm an artist I see things a bit differently. I look at the steps, technique and line of course, but I also look at the shapes the dancers make with their bodies, how those shapes change and move through space and how the shapes made by one dancer interact with those made by another. This is what I find most fascinating about dance, ballet in particular. Probably why I love Mr. B! Its like body movement 101!
I agree that this is contemporary, as is all his work. I must add that I don't enjoy watching MacGregor's choreography but many just love it. I disagree with your suggestion that ballet might be 'dead'. Classical ballet - especially the Petipa/Ivanov, Fokine, Ashton and Macmillan repertoire, will most definitely outlive any and all 'contemporary' innovations. Balanchine's oeuvre, too, will survive but I find much of his work cold, repetitive and formulaic (sorry Mr B fans!) and dull.
feel sorry for olivia though, that dance looks painful and not fun. so many back bends! i feel like i need a lower back massage just watching them perform
oh come on moncoceros. of course it is not ballet like you see ballet. that is obvious. it is using ballet technique to a level. it is contemporary ballet. it is dance. now if you like it or not that is something else. sometimes i really think ballet is dead.
I totally agree! Particularly with your use of the word 'grotesque'. This piece is taxing to watch. It seems as though the choreographer is deliberately going out of his way to make beautiful bodies create ugly, unsettling shapes and patterns of movement. Hardly a new concept, and always unattractive in performance. I am very glad that so many people take joy in it, however, Dance needs new audiences. Opinion is always subjective - we like what we like. and I don't like this piece!
The dancers are very skilled, but this is not ballet. This is some bizarre modern type of dance in which the choreography does all it can to get the dancers into grotesque, contorted positions, and in which the movements are governed by unsettling, chaotic rhythms. If the end is to expose a younger audience to ballet, the means cannot be to destroy its essence.
WHY is this comment received as negative.. I wonder. It is not original in style...and it certainly is not pretty!! although pretty depressing springs to mind. Love.. unique dance creations, many people do....but sadly this is not that. He is not original...FACT!
I understand that the extreme distortion of the body is part of Mr. McGregor's general aesthetic but at what cost?! The health and longevity of the dancers' bodies are in obvious duress at many points of this choreography. Seeing the dancers being encouraged to take those distortions to unnatural degrees and angles causes great discomfort for the audience. Are the dancers distorting their bodies for our sake? Is there not new movement that can be created that is healthy for the people who are to perform it?
Liliana Couto Unfortunately, like any physically intensive and technical career (think sports), injuries happen. Most professional dancers are trained to understand their bodies and know when something isn't right for them. It is then their responsibility to do it in a way that works for their body or tell the choreographer and try something else. A good choreographer would not make dancers do something that is beyond their ability.
I wished people would stop saying that this is not ballet.
This is not classical ballet, this is contemporary ballet, but it's still ballet. And it has been around long enough for being recognized as such.
When it comes to liking this or not, everybody must decide for themselves (I personally love the awkward poses that constantly break up the tension arising between the dancers).
THIS IS BALLET! DEAL WITH IT!
He is ingenius with the use of the body, he uses it in ways no one else does. It is beautiful to watch him work :)
I love how he makes sounds to represent the movements. he is such a genius, love Wayne :)
this is amazing.... only very skilled ballet dancers could pull something like this off
What an extraordinary body Olivia has..so flexible & beautiful. Ed is fantastic as always. Wayne makes ‘classical’ ballet look so ordinary! Love his work, a real genius
It's amazing that these brilliant dancer's could do this contemporary work as well as the classic's. Get into it!!
Magnificent! I was reading a story about the best Royal Opera House productions during the last decade and they mentioned Carbon Life. What a treat to find this sneak peak into the making of it. Brilliant. I am very thankful for the post.
I just LOVE the contrast between technical precision and naturalistic gesture...the use of the body is just so full on!
I have been inspired by Mr McGregor once again...:)
I'm in love with Olivia Cowley! Stunning and brilliant dancer.
This girl is GORGEOUS! Hope to see more of her!
I'm absolutely in love with McGregor's style.
Why, I still can't find the songs from the performance and it's been years. Why are they no-where. It was SOOOOOO GOOD
I just saw this tonight, and I was literally left breathless. Just go.
yes yes yes I love Sarah Lamb!!
When is this on??... just now!!!! And I can't recommend enough.It's absolutely AMAZING even visually plus there's live singers like Boy George, Alison Mosshart... I've been repeating WOW, WOW non stop from the Covent garden to my place. Really, I didn't expect something that brilliant. YOU HAVE TO GO! Hurry up with the tickets , they're almost sold out!
you had me at mark ronson
How wonderful McGregor ... are shocked !!!
bay wooo hey
new idea
shwoop shwoop
bay
it felt so good to be apart of this. 1st time performing at royal opera house , thank you east london dance, street stories
I was just reading the anecdote of the "Doll" I can't blame that japanese photographer...Sarah Lamb do look like a doll,she is very pretty and talented dancer aussi! Oh Wayne McGregor what an amazing choreographer.
the detail...fucking amazing...
He'll be staging work in our 2012/13 Season. Take a look at our site for details.
Really enjoyed the contemporary ballet at the Royal Opera House, fantastic night. First time hearing live singing on stage during ballet, let alone rap, which surprisingly worked. Trying to find the music and songs that were sang by Brody Dalle, Sam Sparro, Roseli etc. absolutely beautiful in the last section, really moved me...Carbon Life. Can anyone help?🌺
I agree the classical repertoire will always be the cornerstone of any classical ballet company, particularly one like RB. But there are many contemporary works that are quickly becoming "must haves" as well. "In the Middle Somewhat Elevated" for example. And frankly to be considered a vital fresh company and not a "museum" dedicated to the past, companies like RB must work with new choreographers and fresh ideas. No one wants to be stagnant only repeating what's been done over and over.
Don't we get bored of the Giselles, (which I loveee), Coppelia, Swan Lake, etc, when the dancers bring nothing special just technical mastery poor musicality! Wayne Macgregor is innately gifted, His CHROMA blew my mind a decade ago.
The sound effects he makes are brilliant! It's weird but it kind of suits what happening!
Actually a lot of choreographers do that these days. It seems to help with explaining the quality of movement that they want. What the movement "sounds" like.
this is so extreme! wow!
is he speaking another language hahaha its awesome
Best part of dance: the mix of counts, names, and nonsense noises to mark each step :D
she's so ridiculously flexible!!
I have to watch these with the sound off as the words he makes up set my teeth on edge - no idea why 😳🤔😂
when is this being preforming ????? :):) its amazing :O
7:07 we see you Mark. We see you.
That's Sarah Lamb :)
And a general comment about Balanchine and the work and works like it. I suppose as I'm an artist I see things a bit differently. I look at the steps, technique and line of course, but I also look at the shapes the dancers make with their bodies, how those shapes change and move through space and how the shapes made by one dancer interact with those made by another. This is what I find most fascinating about dance, ballet in particular. Probably why I love Mr. B! Its like body movement 101!
That arch of hers ...
I like Sarah Lane but I was referring to Olivia Cowley!
Can anybody tell me the name of the song they dance to right at the end?
❤
woow they are so flexible!
his sound affects annoy me and as much as i love ed, i wish we got to see more of steven in this rehearsal.
omg, I love his sounds, I find them really warm :3
OLIVIA!!!!!
wtf is going on with the music in the end :D
Am I the only one who thinks that McGregor's work, although beautiful to watch, is all the same?
Sarah Lamb is mofo Gorgeous
I agree that this is contemporary, as is all his work. I must add that I don't enjoy watching MacGregor's choreography but many just love it.
I disagree with your suggestion that ballet might be 'dead'. Classical ballet - especially the Petipa/Ivanov, Fokine, Ashton and Macmillan repertoire, will most definitely outlive any and all 'contemporary' innovations.
Balanchine's oeuvre, too, will survive but I find much of his work cold, repetitive and formulaic (sorry Mr B fans!) and dull.
feel sorry for olivia though, that dance looks painful and not fun. so many back bends! i feel like i need a lower back massage just watching them perform
No poppet..you are way off mark with Balanchine, Ashton and Bejart but if you are enthralled by Wayne then...whatever floats your boat. Who cares!
oh come on moncoceros. of course it is not ballet like you see ballet. that is obvious. it is using ballet technique to a level. it is contemporary ballet. it is dance. now if you like it or not that is something else.
sometimes i really think ballet is dead.
the last ballet needs different music....it doesnt go with the movement and draws your attention away from the choreography.... not the best match
I totally agree! Particularly with your use of the word 'grotesque'. This piece is taxing to watch. It seems as though the choreographer is deliberately going out of his way to make beautiful bodies create ugly, unsettling shapes and patterns of movement. Hardly a new concept, and always unattractive in performance.
I am very glad that so many people take joy in it, however, Dance needs new audiences. Opinion is always subjective - we like what we like. and I don't like this piece!
The dancers are very skilled, but this is not ballet. This is some bizarre modern type of dance in which the choreography does all it can to get the dancers into grotesque, contorted positions, and in which the movements are governed by unsettling, chaotic rhythms. If the end is to expose a younger audience to ballet, the means cannot be to destroy its essence.
awful......
WHY is this comment received as negative.. I wonder. It is not original in style...and it certainly is not pretty!! although pretty depressing springs to mind. Love.. unique dance creations, many people do....but sadly this is not that. He is not original...FACT!
I understand that the extreme distortion of the body is part of Mr. McGregor's general aesthetic but at what cost?! The health and longevity of the dancers' bodies are in obvious duress at many points of this choreography. Seeing the dancers being encouraged to take those distortions to unnatural degrees and angles causes great discomfort for the audience. Are the dancers distorting their bodies for our sake? Is there not new movement that can be created that is healthy for the people who are to perform it?
+Jonathan Dummar It's called dance. It's what they train for.
I read an article saying that dancers have a lot of injuries about this kind of work. It is possible.
Liliana Couto Unfortunately, like any physically intensive and technical career (think sports), injuries happen. Most professional dancers are trained to understand their bodies and know when something isn't right for them. It is then their responsibility to do it in a way that works for their body or tell the choreographer and try something else. A good choreographer would not make dancers do something that is beyond their ability.
Can somebody tell me the name of the song they dance to at the end of the video please?