News

Rameau’s Pigmalion and Anacreon (9/10/14): Review

A full house at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (London), a 900-strong audience, witnessed a splendid evening of living theatre – singers, players and dancers woven into a compellingly vivid whole. What a success! And with that essential dancing ensured by a generous grant from the Early Dance Circle.

Edith Lalonger’s baroque-style choreography was greatly appreciated for its grace and period beauty, but also for the fluent and expressive dancing that emerged under her leadership. The living statue learning to dance was delightful and, in Anacreon, Silenus’ drunken antics added laughter to the joyful ensemble dancing. Members of the committee were on hand with our banner and copies of the Circular that focused on Rameau were handed out.

It’s an all-too-rare experience here in the UK to see excellent baroque dance in its proper context. We hope very much that we shall see more of early dance on our public stages. Judging from their appreciative response and eager questioning during the interval, an audience exists and wholeheartedly agrees.