Experience the thrill of classical ballet (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Experience the thrill of classical ballet

CLASSICAL ballet and brand new work unite in English National Ballet's Tour De Force which comes to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham on April 30 and May 1.

Accompanied by the 28-piece English National Ballet Chamber Orchestra, Tour De Force consists of George Balanchine's classic Square Dance, The Grand Pas Classique from Raymonda, and Manoeuvre, a new work from Patrick Lewis.

One of the company's signature pieces, Square Dance, is choreographed to the music of Corelli and Vivaldi and was originally created in 1957 for the New York City Ballet. The Grand Pas Classique is choreographed by Frederic Franklin to the original music by Alexander Glasunov.

Manoeuvre, choreographed by Patrick Lewis to music by Phillip Feeney, is a celebration of the company's male dancers in an exploration of the modern Renaissance man. "It is a fast moving and often tongue-in-cheek creation that celebrates the powerful athleticism of the male dancer," says Matz Skoog, artistic director of English National Ballet.

Tickets from the box office on 01242 572573 or on www.everymantheatre.org.uk

Picture: Members of English National Ballet in Square Dance, part of Tour De Force, a showcase of ballet pieces, which comes to the Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham next week.