Richard Alston Confirms New Mixed Bill

Richard Alston Dance Company has confirmed the details of a new triple bill that arrives in London in March. It features the London premier of the latest work by former company dancer Martin Lawrance, To Dance And Skylark, plus a new production of Alston’s Movements from Petrushka and a revival of his 2003 Overdrive.

The company, which will have just completed a four-week tour of America when it comes to London, is one of the UK foremost contemporary dance troupes. A former director of Rambert, Alston formed the company in 1994 and has since created a large body of contemporary work. Last year he celebrated his 60th birthday, since when he has created a highly-rated Carmen for Scottish Ballet, been awarded the 2009 De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance, and appointed the Chair of Youth Dance England.

The centrepiece of the new mixed bill is Alston’s Movements from Petrushka. This distils images from the original Stravinsky ballet and links the anguish of the main character to the mental suffering of Nijinsky who created the title role in 1911. The new production features designs based on the original dropcloth by Alexandre Benois and choreography revolving around the grand piano, placed centre stage.