The Royal Ballet’s celebration of Frederick Ashton is a luscious treat. It shows different sides of the company’s founder choreographer, from the chic of Scènes de ballet to the romantic drama of A Month in the Country. And the dancers rise to its challenges with delight.
Created in 1948, Scènes de ballet is a classical setpiece with a dash of New Look glamour: the corps de ballet wear pearl chokers with their tutus. Ashton, who had become fascinated by geometry, weaves his dancers into brilliant, sharp-edged patterns. Heads nod, bodies dip, and movement chases through a group of dancers in a rippling wave. The ballerina role has a touch of mystery, her arms floating and curling like perfumed smoke. Sarah Lamb dances with bright presence and expansive upper body. Vadim Muntagirov is assured and elegant as her partner.
