Eva Kistrup

Cracking the Nut

George Balanchine:

"The Nutcracker"

Royal Danish Ballet

December 2013

 

Balanchine's "Nutcracker" is back for a second Christmas season. With no less than six casts, even without a slightly injured Alban Lendorf, the company shows strenghts in numbers, but looking carefully it also shows that the thinning of the corps, forced by the cutdowns last year, is too severe. The production also proves that several of the strong young dancers has outgrown their present employ and is ready for more. But block-performances of family-tuned ballets is not the solution for the company.

Breaking News: Gregory Dean appointed Principal Dancer at Royal Danish Ballet

The British dancer, Gregory Dean was appointed by Nikolaj Hübbe on stage following a fine performance as the prince in "The Nutcracker". The appointment follows an impressive run of fine performances by 29 year old Dean. Last season he impressed as Romeo in John Neumeiers version, and this season has seen him in a ground breaking  role in Twyla Tharp's  Sinatra ballet. "Come Fly Away" as the complicated Hank showing a new dramatic quality in the stylish dancer and as the lead male dancer in "Strawinsky Symphony in Three Movements". 

Dean joined RDB in 2005 following a period with Scottish Ballet. He has served the company with a full set of princes and is known for his partnering skills. As for many RDB dancers his progress has been catapulted by a series of roles in John Neumeier's ballets. In addition to Romeo he had been Lysander & Oberon- Theuseus in a "Midsummer Night's Dream and De Grieux in "The Lady of the Camille" He had also made a strong impression in modern works like Wayne MacGregor's "Chroma"

He will be one of the dancers who will carry the repertoire in the coming years especially in the Danseur Noble emploi.