Review of Ballet Boyz at Jacob’s Pillow

July 16, 2008 performance reviewed by Sandy Michel.

I came to see dance at its newest and innovative. I was not disappointed.

Ballet Boyz was my first Jacob’s Pillow experience of the 2008 season. I arrived innocent and curious and eager to be a part of the contemporary and witty and challenging dance evening. I was not disappointed. The Ballet Boyz, and girl, were magnificent and exciting and refreshing.

The dancers William Trevitt and Michael Nunn were trained by the Royal Ballet. They take that training and innovate. To their fine skills and style they added the many talents of Russian born Oxana Panchenko and they sizzle. The control of their bodies and timing was nothing short of brilliant.

Much of the music was commissioned. In much of todays modern dance the score is background to the dancers. Not so this evening. Music and dance were one. In the first dance, Broken Fall, music and dancers were one and the same. The all evolved into a flow.

The fourth presentation danced by Nunn and Trevitt was a variation of the ever-popular tango with music by Astor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese. It was both funny and combative. I loved all three dancers but Panchenko was my favorite. Each dance was preceded by a short home film to personalize the troupe. I came to see dance at its newest and innovative. I was not disappointed.