Momentum brings forgotten gems to the stage with dazzling artistry
Reformed in 2023 under the Artistic Direction of Christopher Marney after a 30 year hiatus, the London City Ballet continues to wow its audience with a collection of rarely seen, international works. Mr Marney, acclaimed for reviving overlooked yet important repertoire, curated an evening featuring choreography by George Balanchine, Liam Scarlett, Florent Melac, and Alexei Ratmansky. The programme provided the company’s dancers with a platform to display both artistic subtlety and technical brilliance across both classical and contemporary works.
Momentum opened with Balanchine’s Haieff Divertimento, which was considered lost for decades until two members of the original cast set about reviving the ballet in 1981. The dancers shone most during their solos, with each dancer cleanly executing the petit allegro and pirouettes that the choreography demanded. Alejandro Virelles stood out for his combination of lightness and confidence, while Jimin Kim brought precision to every step. The duet with Sahel Flora Pascual and Virelles had a brightness that anchored the ballet, and the overall effect was clean and joyful. In future performances, it would be rewarding to see stronger cohesion in ensemble moments, with the dancers more finely attuned to one another and to the music.
Liam Scarlett’s Consolations and Liebestraum (2009) marked a complete tonal shift. Set to Liszt’s piano works, played live beautifully by Reina Okada, Alina Cojocaru and Joseph Taylor were breathtaking in the final pas de deux, while the entire cast, dressed in simple black, captured the ebb and flow of intimacy and fracture. Another highlight came in the pas de deux danced by Yuria Isaka and Arthur Wille, whose palpable chemistry was expressed through effortless partnering.
Florent Melac’s Soft Shore, a new commission set to Beethoven, flows on almost too neatly in mood, yet it has its own distinct qualities. Constance Devernay-Laurence and Jospeh Taylor gave the choreography weight and texture, while Alejandro Virelles and Arthur Wille brought contrast in their partnering work which moved the audience. The inclusion of a contemporary work showcased the company’s versatility, with the dancers excelling in this more modern setting.
What’s clear across the evening is the strength of London City Ballet’s ensemble as the company continues to establish its presence in London and globally as a touring company. Artistic Director Christopher Marnay has curated a programme that balances rediscovery and tribute of old and new choreography. Momentum reveals a company still young, yet already distinguished by thoughtful programming and superb dancing.