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"We
have one of the most beautiful cities in the world" – An Interview
with Stanko Milov, PNB Principal Dancer
By Emma Pegler
Any fears that he was avoiding me quickly dispersed when I finally collided
with the dancer. He has the charm and looks of an aristocratic Bulgarian
– square jaw, high cheek bones and proud bearing – and the openness
and affability of your average American. Deliciously glistening with post-class
perspiration, he submitted willingly to my line of questioning.
more
"Everything.
I want to do everything." – An Interview with PNB Soloist, Jonathan
Porretta
By Stuart Sweeney
"My mother told me that as soon as I could talk all I said was, “When
I grow up I want to be a dancer.” She was very confused, because
nobody in my family had ever taken ballet or any kind of dance."
more
"It's
wonderful and I get paid to do it!" – An Interview with PNB
Soloist, Alexandra Dickson
By Stuart Sweeney
"It was something that was always in my life. My older sister
took ballet classes when I was young and from early on I was doing Scottish
dance and creative movement and then it snowballed; once you get started
you can’t stop." more
Critical
Dance Interviews Stacy Lowenberg, Noelani Pantastico, Jonathan Porretta,
Casey Herd and Jodie Thomas
By Toba Singer, July 4, 2002
The
stage door reception desk has wrapped itself and the adjoining snack bar
in a firestorm of red, white and blue. I grimace, shiver, and give that
imploring look to the receptionist that people behind desks often get
from those hobbled by being on the other side. By way of explanation,
I say that one of the ancillary benefits for me of coming to London was
for once ESCAPING all the bunting and puff-patriotism that July 4th detonates
in the US. She explains as demurely as she can, that the goal was to make
the dancers feel at home, and indeed, what she says is completely in keeping
with the warm reception the dancers have received from the technical and
house staff at the theater. more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Stuart Sweeney, July 6
The
curtain has gone down on the 2002 visit of PNB to London, except for a
richly deserved final night party. Remember everyone the flight home leaves
at 4.45 am! Dwight Hutton, Company Manager, told me that he was delighted
with the dancers and the reaction of the audiences. In addition the technical
staff at Sadler’s have been a dream to work with and coped with some unexpected
requirements without a fuss. more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Emma Pegler, July 5
At
Critical Dance, there was a great deal of excitement and anticipation
at the prospect of meeting and reviewing Pacific Northwest Ballet on its
second trip to London. We have strong links with Seattle and know of PNB's
good reputation back home. Our moderators and correspondents in the U.S.
spent time with the company before it left for London and reported back
on the preparations for the tour. more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Stuart Sweeney, July 4
The
company performed the Mixed Bill for the first time last night and is
settling into the London season with the routine of a ballet dancer’s
life such as the daily classes at Sadler’s Wells and hunting out the local
restaurants and shops that are open after performance to grab some food. more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Sylvia, July 3
It’s
a gloomy Wednesday with much rain promised. The company class is at 11am
and I am told to make my way to the Ashton studio, where the company manager,
Dwight Hutton, greets me enthusiastically. He tells me that Sadler's Wells
was packed the night before... more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Petra Tschiene, July 2
Tonight
PNB will open their London season with Silver Lining, so naturally
all of today’s preparations were geared towards getting ready for curtain
time at 7.30 pm. Jet lag or no jet lag, class is the one constant in a
dancer’s life and so all company members found themselves squeezed into
the Ashton studio at 11am to start their working day. more
Critical
Dance Goes Backstage – A Daily Diary
By Stuart Sweeney, July 1
PNB
have already been in town for a couple of days. The production team arrived
on Friday and the dancers and other staff members on Saturday morning.
The first two days were mainly taken up with sight-seeing and the London
Eye has won some more devotees, as well as the more traditional spots
like Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. And of course there is "essential"
shopping to be done in Oxford Street. more
Carnets,
Visas, and Exchange Rates: Why PNB is Touring to London and How It's
Doing It
By Azlan Ezaddin
In the window behind Margo Spellman, remnants of load-bearing walls,
the roof framing and the foundation are about all that remains of what
used to be the Seattle Opera House. Spellman claims she’s gotten used
to the noise and doesn’t seem fazed by all the activity. “It must be
a guy thing,” she ventures. “All the guys who walk in here get distracted
by the construction. Kent was all excited when he got to drive a crane
last week,” referring to co-Artistic Director Kent Stowell. more
A
fresh breeze from the Pacific
A preview article in The UK Independent
An
Insider's Personal View on the Company Background and History
By Dina McDermott with Azlan Ezaddin
Seattle is tucked in the far Northwest corner of the United States,
surrounded by breathtaking mountains and chilly Puget Sound, a city
of gray mists and long, drizzly winter days. First impressions are of
local lifestyles focused primarily on rugged, outdoor activities: many
enjoy kayaking, skiing, and hiking. However, the Seattle institution
visible on the international cultural scene is one of a wholly, different
bent, but of an equally athletic nature. That institution is Pacific
Northwest Ballet, directed by Francia Russell and Kent Stowell. more
A
Conversation with Kent Stowell
By Dean Speer & Francis Timlin
On a clear and sunny Seattle day, we recently sat down with Pacific
NW Ballet's Artistic Director, Kent Stowell to discuss PNB's upcoming
tour to London. Relaxed and engaging, Mr. Stowell took time out of his
busy schedule to answer questions, offer commentary, and provide his
views on the tour, building ballet companies, what it's like to create
a new ballet, and share some memories of his career and how this has
influenced and shaped his ethics, work habits and artistic vision. more
Preview
Article in the London Financial Times
(requires a free trial subscription)
About
the London Tour – A Chat with PNB Principal Dancer Patricia Barker
By Dean Speer & Francis Timlin
During a break from rehearsals in preparation for PNB's upcoming
Rep. program, Principal Dancer Patricia Barker met with us to discuss
her participation in the upcoming tour to London and to field questions
about her career. What follows is a summary of that conversation. more
Pacific
Northwest Ballet in London – Programme Preview
By Stuart Sweeney
Pacific Northwest Ballet returns for a second visit to Sadler's
Wells in early July and CriticalDance will be covering the short season
in depth with a series of interviews, reviews and much more. Our three
representatives in Seattle, Francis Timlin, Dean Speer and Dina McDermott
have already been busy preparing preview material for your delectation
and the UK staff will pick up the baton soon after PNB arrive in the
UK. more
Olivier
Wevers – An Artist For All The Right Reasons
By Dean Speer & Francis Timlin
In talking with PNB Principal Dancer, Olivier Wevers, it became
clear that this dancer is an artist of the highest caliber and one who
approaches his work and craft with an European sensibility coupled with
an American love of openness and freedom. Highlights of our conversation
follows. more
More interviews are scheduled. Check back regularly.
Critical
Dance Reviews the Mixed Bill
Critical
Dance Reviews Silver Lining
A
brief look back to earlier visits of Pacific Northwest Ballet to the
UK
