HANDING OVER THEIR HEARTS... continually experiment, The Last Tango, Vincent Simone Handing over challenging one another and Flavia Cacace’s third and to reach new heights. fi nal stage show, opens next month The real leap of faith their hearts… comes in trusting that work to your dancers. “It’s a bit like removing your We asked Dance heart and handing it off to Today readers to tell someone else,” says British us their favourite choreographer Tom Ridley. “But when you succeed, choreograpahers. Who the joy you get from that made our list – and who shared accomplishment did you pick? Marianka is extraordinary. I’m not Swain reveals all dancing one part or one show: I get to be part of that dance experience forever.” he body says what “ words cannot,” Here are some of the T proclaimed best in the business... contemporary legend Martha Graham. Dancers Ballroom act as intercessors between choreographers and Fred Astaire audiences, communicating Astaire, working with the former’s ideas to the collaborators such as Eleanor latter, but in appreciating the Powell (pictured below) and performers in front of us, we Hermes Pan, gave dance musical through his dazzling, honouring all the ballroom sometimes forget to honour a starring role in the fi lm seemingly effortless routines. fundamentals, with the creators upon whose interesting choreography. visionary work they rely. Gene Kelly at work on Jason Gilkison We’ll forgive her Dollgate!” Every dance medium Invitation to the Dance “Burn The Floor got me into Emma Barnett needs choreography ballroom – Jason makes for constant reinvention it look so cool and sexy. I “I can’t see past Flavia and and redefi nition in order So You Think You Can emotions that inspire pieces, didn’t think it was for me Vincent. The choreography to stay vital. New ideas Dance (which sadly didn’t or explaining the technical before I saw the show.” in their shows is unbeatable.” in the rehearsal room take off here) has made challenges and innovations Holly K @Dilly4 can change not just stars of its choreographers of a particular routine. movement type or modes and encouraged viewers to Of course, explanations Strictly the best “I miss Darren and Lilia. of storytelling, but infl uence engage with the process are futile if audiences simply Their routines were always wider issues: introducing of creation, rather than don’t respond to what’s on Who are your Strictly so musical, clever and had diversity, challenging just the end result. It also offer, but some of the most favourites? a clear story to them, and traditional gender roles, or provides a way into more celebrated choreographers they shaped traditional creating new relationships esoteric performances, are those who make bold, “Erin combines being moves around their with other art forms. sharing the stories or divisive statements – and a brilliant teacher, celebrities. No gimmicks, ➤ 12 \ WWW.DANCE-TODAY.CO.UK Photographs (from right): Hugo Glendinning/the Dancing Times collection AUGUST 2015 \ DANCE TODAY 13 CHOREOGRAPHY HANDING OVER THEIR HEARTS... just great entertainment.” slick, but always feels also the choreographic force “It’s a bit like removing your heart and street dance with engaging Roger Widdicomb natural and relaxed.” behind such extraordinary long-form drama. @BRThomas projects as Singin’ in the Rain handing it off to someone else,” says “Artem was a major and An American in Paris. British choreographer Tom Ridley Contemporary asset because he always Irish pushed the boundaries. Jerome Robbins Martha Graham Len might not approve, Michael Flatley Robbins seamlessly Bob Fosse fi lms is Annie, and we Her weighted, angular but you need someone Through Riverdance, Flatley integrated movement Through extraordinary work just love Arlene’s great work ushered in a keeping things fresh. I hope created an exhilarating into story, and was also in shows like Chicago, choreography in it. My new era of dance and the new pros do the same. theatrical outlet for Irish a major innovator in the The Pajama Game, Sweet children are all studying crossed boundaries, (Without props, please!)” dance that brought it American ballet world. Charity and Cabaret, dance and they love learning with a wide variety of Erika Hutchinson to a wider audience. his legend lives on. the routines and performing performers and artists Busby Berkeley them just like I did as a kid!” lining up to collaborate. Salsa Musicals/drama “My go-to YouTube clips Kenny Ortega Lucy Braga are Busby Berkeley’s “Two words: Dirty Dancing. Lloyd Newson Richard Marcel Gene Kelly incredible kaleidoscopic Sexy, organic, and tells a Indian DV8’s hard-hitting dance “I’m a big fan of Richard Beloved as one of the great dance numbers. Pure joy.” whole story through dance. theatre uses expressive Marcel’s salsa. Very musical performers, Kelly was Samantha Els You could take out the Shiamak Davar movement to tackle big dialogue and still be crying “Shiamak Davar introduced issues like abuse, addiction and cheering at the end.” Western styles to give and multiculturalism. Melanie Payne Indian dance a modern fl avour. Love his work.” Pina Bausch Gillian Lynne @salim42 “Truly radical and mind- Swapping Sadler’s Wells blowing. Her work really for the West End, Gillian Hip hop stays with you.” raised the level of dance in Andrea Georgio musicals with the technically Kate Prince demanding Cats. Prince’s company ZooNation Akram Khan brilliantly combines energetic Known for exciting Michael Bennett “A Chorus Line is the most amazing example of choreography growing out of emotion. No one takes a step without it coming from their soul.” Jules Young Susan Stroman Broadway’s current leading choreographer has revitalised Jerome Robbins, who the classic musical tradition. choreographed West Side Story, moved easily between Arlene Phillips Kate Prince ballet and Broadway “One of my family’s favourite of ZooNation 14 \ WWW.DANCE-TODAY.CO.UK Photograph: the Dancing Times collection Photograph: Ross Ferguson AUGUST 2015 \ DANCE TODAY 15 CHOREOGRAPHY Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man is at Sadler’s Wells until August 9 experimental projects that past greats but also bringing established a wonderfully fuse styles like South Asian something new. Who British mode of expression kathak and fl amenco. doesn’t love Happy Feet?!” for the Royal Ballet, @AvaGeorge focusing on nuances of Matthew Bourne character and emotion. Renowned for putting a witty Ballet contemporary twist on the Christopher Wheeldon classics, most famously with Marius Petipa The Royal Ballet star his all-male Swan Lake. The French master won this year’s Tony created or revived works choreography award for Tap like The Sleeping Beauty his gorgeous screen-to- that are the mainstays of stage translation of Kelly’s Savion Glover companies to this day. An American in Paris. ● “He’s so funky and grounded, and he’s helped keep tap Frederick Ashton If there’s somone you alive by paying tribute to His lyrical choreography think we’ve missed out, do drop us a line at the “I can’t see past Flavia and address on page 5, email [email protected] Vincent. The choreography in or get in touch through their shows is unbeatable” Facebook or Twitter. 16 \ WWW.DANCE-TODAY.CO.UK Photograph: Johan Persson.