The dance critic John Percival belonged to a generation which, in the 1950s, persuaded newspapers to employ specialist writers rather than making do with music critics. Before joining The Independent (1997-2002), he had been The Times' critic for 32 years. He was a familiarly tall silhouette at performances, always there because he had an exceptional receptiveness to dance of any creed and faithfully fulfilled the critic's duty to be well informed. Where others might flag after a few weeks of non-stop performances, he was invariably hungry for more.
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Trainer can taste Fame and Glory once again
Thursday 21 June 2012
One of many dividends from the emergence of Galileo and Montjeu, as heirs to Sadler's Wells, was a new commercial respectability for staying pedigrees. As a result, Coolmore Stud's principal trainer has been able to perform something of a transfusion for the reputation of the Gold Cup, highlight of Ladies' Day at Royal Ascot.
Derek Hammond-Stroud: Acclaimed baritone
Monday 04 June 2012
The baritone Derek Hammond-Stroud was remarkably versatile, encompassing lieder and opera from Gilbert and Sullivan to Wagner and Richard Strauss.
O'Brien's lesser lights stride into frame for Epsom Classics
Monday 30 April 2012
The established Ballydoyle stars are scheduled to glitter at Newmarket at the weekend, with Camelot and Maybe, last year's top-rated juvenile colt and filly, short-priced favourites for the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas respectively. But there have been echoes of light from some of their less-exposed Aidan O'Brien stablemates, notably the filly Kissed at Navan yesterday and the colt Imperial Monarch at Sandown on Saturday.
Don Garrard: Bass who made his name with the Sadler's Wells company
Friday 28 October 2011
The Canadian bass Don Garrard sang in the UK for over 20 years, with the Royal Opera, Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, and above all with Sadler's Wells, now English National Opera. He had a natural authority, both of voice and bearing, that served him well in roles such as Sarastro in The Magic Flute, Prince Gremin in Tchaikowsky's Eugene Onegin and the Grand Inquisitor in Verdi's Don Carlos. The warmth of his voice and personality also allowed him to play loving fathers with equal facility; among these Daland in Wagner's The Flying Dutchman and Arkel in Debussy's Pelléas et Mélisande are good examples. His singing was also much appreciated in Canada and the US.
Bourne again: ballet's enfant terrible bites back
Thursday 27 October 2011
Modern choreography's most colourful figure is getting his teeth into Sleeping Beauty
Sylvie Guillem, Sadler's Wells, London
Sunday 10 July 2011
Artistry and ageing inspire new works for the woman who thrills choreographers and audiences
Sylvie Guillem: 6000 Miles Away, Sadler's Wells, London
Friday 08 July 2011
Some of dance's biggest names are brought together in 6000 Miles Away: superballerina Sylvie Guillem and choreographers William Forsythe, Jirí Kyliá* and Mats Ek. Guillem has an impressive commitment to new choreography, her taste often running to quiet, even grungy, contemporary work. Here, there's an intriguing contradiction between low-key dance and the splash of a major star.
Sylvie Guillem: Dancing to her own tune
Wednesday 06 July 2011
At 46, Sylvie Guillem is still an incredible dancer. The secret's in her admirably single-minded approach, says Hannah Duguid
Les Ballets C de la B, Sadler's Wells, London
Sunday 03 July 2011
Somewhere over the rainbow, there are men in trousers
Dave St-Pierre Company, Sadler's Wells, London
Monday 06 June 2011
How do you establish yourself as an enfant terrible?
Un peu de tendresse bordel de merde! Sadler's Wells, London
Sunday 05 June 2011
Is that a naked dancer on your lap, or are you just pleased to see me?
Rambert Dance Company, Sadler's Wells, London
Wednesday 01 June 2011
Rambert, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, is in very good shape for its birthday. Work is about to start on a new purpose-built home on London's South Bank, while this triple bill brings a handsome staging of a classic and a strong new work. The dancing is splendid.
Dutch National Ballet, Sadler's Wells, London
Sunday 15 May 2011
Ballet set to Beethoven? It takes Dutch courage
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Channel 4 to 'provoke' viewers who associate Islam with terrorism with live call to prayer during Ramadan
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US army doctor returns arm to Vietnamese soldier fifty years after he took it as a souvenir
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Police seize possessions of rough sleepers in crackdown on homelessness
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Demand for food banks has nothing to do with benefits squeeze, says Work minister Lord Freud
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