The New production of the Nutcracker choreographed by Wayne Eagling and sets by Peter Farmer at the London Coliseum

Wayne Eagling, the Director of English National Ballet has choreographed a triumph for the 60th Anniversary of the company. The Nutcracker has always been at the heart of English National Ballets repertoire and having danced in Ronald Hynd's Nutcracker I am proud to be part of this tradition. Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker is the 10th production in the company's history and it is successful on many different levels.

A ballet for all the family to enjoy. To read the full review with Elaine's photographs read the Dance Dynamic February issue out in January 2011.

Matthew Bourne's Cinderella at the Sadlers Wells 30th November 2010 - 23rd January 2011

Press Night is 8th December 2010. Watch this space for my review and see the full review with photographs in Dance Dynamic February issue

Tanztheater Wuppertal, Pina Bausch Iphigenie auf Tauris

An emotional and visually beautiful show.
Spell Binding!

Pina Bausch's work to Gluck's Iphigenie auf Tauris was ground breaking at the time and is still wonderful crafted and theatrical dance drama.
Gluck's music and singing arrangements are harmonius filled with depth and strength. Pina Bausch's response is a memorable tribute to his work. The stark set and plain white long dress of Iphigenie, danced superbly by Clementine Deluy is in contrast to her fluid uplifting movements.
The entrance of the female ensemble on the diagonal line is strong and thrilling sending tingles down the spine.
Pina Bausch uses the cameo effect very cleverly and creatively . Poignantly demonstrated in the last act when the entire cast freeze and are suspended in time.
A fitting tribute to Pina Bausch, who died in 2009

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

A company exploding with energy and superb dramatic quality.

Sublime. Dance at its very best!

Alvin Ailey, American Dance Theatre is now on a UK Tour. It is the last time Judith Jamison is at the helm of the company. She has handed over her position as artistic Director to Robert Battle. What a legacy she leaves behind! She took over the company on the request of her mentor Alvin Ailey, who personally chose her to succeed him before his untimely death in 1989. Judith is a charming, friendly lady and obviously an inspiration to an exceptionally talented dance company.

The Hunt featured in the photographs is dark and violent with an all male cast wearing black long skirts with red undersides and a black backdrop. It is a primeval, tribal dance. The muscles of the mens' torsos glisten with sweat as they jump and twist and snarl at each other in a powerful display of athletics and combat. The African drums beat louder and faster as the dancing becomes more frenzied. The men dart into the air and turn like whirling dervishes. It sends tingles down the spine to witness them moving as one to the climax of the Hunt.

For more of the review see the magazine Dance Dynamic

Tanguera A dark and passionate love story set in Buenos Aires

Tanguera not only tells a story of two lovers but it reveals for the first time, through the tango dance, the hardships of everyday life for the working class people of Argentina.

The choreography is by Mora Godoy she has excelled in producing a wonderful array of intricate foot work, sensitive dances and realistic acting scenes. On a few occasions when the three couples in the cabaret are dancing and in the pas de deux between Giselle and Lorenzo the steps blend together creating sublime moments of sheer chemistry.

The show is held together and carried throughout by a brilliant score by Gerardo Gardelin.

See the full review in the October issue of Dance Dynamic.

Francesca Filpi brings more than a touch of magic to her role as the Godmother in Cinderella

Francesca Filpi is a dancer with one of the most prestigious companies in the World, the Royal Ballet Company. She has danced many soloist roles with the Company but for the first time Francesca has been asked by Monica Mason the director of the Royal Ballet Company to dance the role of Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. It is a role that will test Francesca's lyrical abilities and she will need to have nerves of steel to dance her solo on the empty vastness of the Opera House stage! It is a very exciting time for Francesca because she is also involved in setting up a Dance Retreat, Dar Danse in Morocco.

EM/ Have you performed the role yet? If so how did you feel on stage?

FP/I have danced the role of Godmother once and the next one is tomorrow evening.

Its funny, one minute your are standing in the comforting darkness of the wings, surrounded by the friendly stage crew lads, cracking the odd joke and then suddenly you are plunged into this surreal world, a huge empty stage with a bright light shining down at you, incredible music drifting up from the orchestra pit, your feet start bourreing ...and you're off.

Read the full interview in the September issue of Dance Dynamic.

Merchants of Bollywood at the Peacock Theatre

The Merchants of Bollywook hits the stage at the Peacock theatre with amazing energy, vitality and fun. The forty performers smile and flirt with the audience enjoying every minute of this action packed and often Kitsch story set in India.

Ayesha danced by Carol Furtado is the daughter of the famous Merchant family. She leaves her Grandfather, Shantilal acted by Chanda Khanna and her boyfriend Uday danced by Deepak Rawat to seek her fame and fortune in the films of Bollywood. It is a weak story line but this does not distract from the dazzling array of dances and costumes. The show uses 1,200 costumes and 2,500 pieces of Indian jewellery.

The film Slum Dog Millionaire fuelled an unprecedented interest in the West for Indian films, dance and a fascination for the World of Bollywood.

Therefore it is not surprising that this thatrical show has been put together in celebration of the Indian film industry.

Bollywood makes 800 films a year and 15 million tickets are sold a day!

Sharon Watson, the Director of Phoenix Ballet

Sharon Watson is the new Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. She is going to be leading the company as they move into their purpose built space within a brand new £12 million building shared with Northern Ballet Theatre. She has also been named as one of the Cultural Leaderships Programme's Women to Watch.

A challenging and exciting period lies ahead for Sharon and her company as they prepare to be in the UK's media spotlight.

I travelled to Leeds the home of Phoenix Ballet to meet this inspirational lady and to find out more about her career, her choreography and her plans for the future.

See the full interview in the July edition of Dance Dynamic!

Kate Simmons. A gifted choreographer and talented teacher. Kate is also the owner of one of the top dance schools in the North of England.

Allergro Dance ( photograph above and below left) An educational group formed by Kate Simmons Dance Ltd with pupils from her vocational school. They tour the North West of England.

Photographs above of Cinderella danced by the pupils of Kate Simmons Dance Ltd. performed at the Brindley Theatre in Runcorn

Kate Simmons is a gifted choreographer and talented teacher. She has built up her dance school in Warrington to be one of Britains largest and most highly acclaimed in the country.

EM/What is the storyline of your new ballet Cinderella?
KS/Cinderella is set in Northern France at the start of World War 1. I have always been interested in this period. Also I discovered that the Ballet Russes were in Paris during this time. I am going to use Kasarvina, a ballerina with the Ballet Russe as Cinderella's Godmother and Mikhail Fokine as the ballet master. There will be no fairies or magical coach in the production and at the stroke of twelve a bomb goes off. However it does have a happy ending and the couple survive the blast.

Read more of the interview in Dance Dynamic next month

Ballet Nacional De Espana at the London Coliseum 2010

Spectacular show full of drama and variety. Inspired dancing from Elena Algado & Christina Gomez.
See my full review in the magazine Dance Dynamic June edtion.
Out now in the May edition the review of Blaze with the interview with Chris Baldock and the review of the Flamenco Festival at the Sadlers Wells in February.
The front cover is my photograph from Ballet Nacionale de Cuba at the London Coliseum April 2010

Mark Morris Dance Company

Beautiful fluidity of movement. Great rhythmn, colour and spacial awareness.

Ballet Nacionale de Cuba/ Magia De La Danza

A Tempestuous Display of Ballet at its Best!

The Gala evening of dance by the Ballet Nacionale de Cuba was a brilliant showcase of classical ballet at its finest. Alicia Alonso the General Director of the Cuban ballet is now in her 90th year and a legend in her own life time. She was born in Cuba but danced for many years in America and was a founding member of the New York Ballet Theatre now called ABT. She returned to Cuba with her husband in 1948 and set up a dance company. Then in 1959 she asked Castro if he would fund the Cuban Ballet School. This school today is the foundation of the Cuban Ballet Company.

The programme starts with a ballet very close to the heart of Alicia and one she herself made famous. Giselle Act 11 is choreographed by Alicia Alonso and danced on Wednesday 7th April by Anette Delgado and Javier Torres. Anette captures the ethereal quality of the Wilis and is as light as thistledown. The corps work in unison with straight lines and beautiful heads and arms.

Both Yanela Pinera and Elier Bourzac dance with style and precision in the Grand pas de deux in Act 111 of Sleeping Beauty.

The last ballet before the interval was Nutcracker. Firstly the corps with solists dance the Waltz of the Flowers and then Sadaise Arencibia and Alejandro Virelles dance the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Alejandro dancing is spectacular! The audience gasp and erupt into spontaneous appaulse as he balances in multiple turns and leaps into the air with ease and artistry. He is a tall man with great posture and wonderful technique
He is certainly on form this evening. The women also excelled in this evening of dance with their beautiful balances and control though there was not always the same technical ablility or
attack in their legs and feet.

Don quixote in the second half stole the show. Carlos Accosta is on fire. He is lean, dramatic and has a wide grin on his face of shear pleasure. His technique is brilliant and his turns are exciting and breathtaking. His partner Viensgay Valdes is magical. A beautiful face and the most mind blowing balances with style and vivacity. The audience is captivated by this tempestuous display of ballet at its best!

Ballet Nacionale de Cuba /Swan Lake/London Coliseum

Ballet Nacionale de Cuba

performed Swan Lake last night with Elier Bourzac as Siegfried and Odette/ Odile danced by Anette Delgado.
Elier was heavenly to watch wonderful balon, supple with balanced multiple pirouettes. He also acted with emotion. The perfect Prince and a joy to watch!
Anette Delgado suffered in Act 11 from a badly made tutu which distracted from her technically wonderful dancing. However there was no eye contact with her handsome Prince and her acting and emotion in the role of Odette was lacking. She displayed much more emotion coupled with superb dancing in Odile. Thirty two perfect fouettes with a triple pirouette to finish produced spontaneous applause and bravos. The production let the dancers down at every turn. Cuba is a very poor country and this was in evidence in the sets and costumes but there is no need to have creased back cloths and odd shoes. The choreography was poor apart from the pas de six in Act 1 which I thought was creative with again wonderful dancing. Spectacular arabasques and balanced controlled pirouettes. Special mention to Masiel Alonso in the role of peasant in the first act and in the soloist role in the Neopolitan. She danced with charm and sparkled in the dances with stunning arabasques. The swans feet could have been stronger in the corps de ballet in the second act. The evening was enjoyable and saved by the Cuban dancers who excelled against all odds and triumped over a poor production.
Review with photographs of the second programme next week.

ISTD Dinner & Dance 2010

Mr Philip Li won the International Award from the Ballroom Faculty Board. He had brought his own media company from China with him and owns a school with massive studios and thousands of pupils. He had a glint in his eye and oozed enthusiasm. Watch this space for the Chinese ballroom stars of tomorrow. The other International award was given to Miss Gwenda Britten from New Zealand. She joked that if all the sheep went to dance classes in New Zealand she would be a wealthy lady! She was presented her award from a driving force in the Theatre Faculty of the ISTD Paddy Hurlings.

The Imperial Theatre Award was won by Sue Passmore and the Imperial Dance Sport Award was won by Margaret Connon. A speech was given by Dame Beryl Grey. She looked resplendent in a purple velvet gown.

The Latin ballroom cabaret was given by Andrej Skufca and Melinda Torokgyory. She wore a draped yellow satin material with two pieces of elastic holding it together. Intriguing. She had the men on the edge of their seats. Passionate dancing!

BLAZE the new concept show at the Peacock Theatre 11th-28th March

I went along to the Peacock theatre in London to photograph the Blaze company. Wow it is going to be a great show. I also interviewed Chris Baldock, who is the Director of this new company. The choreography of the show has been a collaboration of different choreographers but Chris has worked closely with Anthony Van Last and between them they have devised the concept and also a blue print for the other choreographers to follow.

The interview will be published in the May edition of the magazine Dance Dynamic. There will also be a review of the show and photographs.

EM/ What styles of dance are in the show

CB/ New style,House,Popping, Locking, New Jack Swing, Vogue, tap, contemporary and of course Break dance.

Watch this space for more news and a taster of the review. The World premier is on the 16th March and I will be there!

Wells Winter Weekend 2010/ February 28th 2010

I photographed at the Wells winter weekend which is organised by Francesca Filipi and her Mum. What a treat for the dancers! Francesca is a member of the Royal Ballet and she brings in her friends and colleagues to help teach. On Sunday Steven McCrae a Royal ballet principal was teaching and coaching the three boys who attended the course.

I recently reviewed Steven in the one act ballet

'Les Patineurs'

'Steven McCrae skates onto the stage in a low key way then jumps into the air producing a string of dazzling beats followed by perfect pirouettes. A joy to watch!'

Debra Lamb another principal dancer in the Royal Ballet coached and taught class to the girls. She even gave a short performance at the end of the day.

Francesca teaches with passion and conviction and inspires all her pupils to explore and discover new ways of moving and interpreting the dance.

A wonderful dancer from the Rambert came to teach the contemporary classes. Everybody had a lot of fun even if the moves were not always in the bag!

The pianists played superbly throughout the day and were appreciated by the dancers and teachers.

The Awards were given at the end of the day in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere.

The next Wells Weekend will be at the end of August. They are not to be missed if you are hoping to dance professionally.

Flamenco Festival/Mabel Ryan Awards February 23rd 2010

The FLAMENCO Festival is in its second week at Sadlers Wells. I am reviewing Nuevo Ballet Espanol/ Cambio de Tercio and the Gala Flamenca/ Todo Cambia on the 26th February

Photograph Ballet Flamenco/ Eva Yerbabuena by Elaine Mayson

Watch this space for a taster of the reviews and more photographs.

I will be reviewing for Dance Dynamic the new production Blaze at the Peacock Theatre from Thursday 11 March to Sunday 28th March. It is a mixture of night club vibes and West End production values. I will also be interviewing the Artistic Director Chris Baldock. This Should be an amazing show. I will put a taster on my blog! Another very exciting interview will be taking place soon! Top secret at the moment until it is confirmed

NEW EXCITING NEWS!!

I now have a selection of the pdfs of my articles with photographs on my web site for you to view. Go to my dance web site and click on the tab at the side dance reviews.

www.elainemaysonphotography.co.uk

See the magazine Dance Dynamic March issue which is out now for my review on Matthew Bournes Swan Lake which is in its 14th year!

Mabel Ryan Awards

I photographed the ISTD Awards for the Junior and Lower Junior Cechetti pupils.

They all dance exercies in a group and then perform a dance in groups of 3.

There is a lovely atmosphere and it gives the children a chance to dance on the stage and get a feeling of performing to an audience. Some very proud parents were clapping at the end as the awards were given by Mary Goodhew and Caroline Wright.

All the photographs are for sale on my dance web site.

Dance schools & The Battersea Wedding Fair plus tips for brides

February 15th 2010

I photographed the Debra Lamb School of dance a week ago. The pupils of the school were at their dress rehearsal of their annual show and were able to pose for me in between their dance numbers. All the pupils hair was neat and attractive and they all had fun posing for the camera. I sold the photographs with my assistant John on Saturday a week later at the theatre. The parents loved the photographs. Having had an extensive career in dance I can help the poses come to life and capture any jump or leap. Though everybody has camera phones and digital cameras not many people have equipment to set up a studio and this is a cost effective way of getting studio shots of your children for just £10 per photograph including a mount. If any Dance Schools are interested in Elaine Mayson Photography visiting their school then selling the photographs at the annual display/show then contact her on 0208 977 0319
I will travel any where within England subject to the size of school or the number of pupils to be photographed. I am happy to travel to Scotland or abroad but my travel and accomodation costs would need to be paid.
Added bonus I pay the school 10% of my earnings

Weddings

I visited the Battersea Wedding Designer Show. It was good fun! It was all on behalf of research as I am thinking of exhibiting at the fair. However it was Valentines Day and what the heck! Lets enjoy ourselves. Yes it was my boyfriends idea so off we went by car tube and then luxury ...taxi to the show. The fair is in a modern tent like building and there is a large cafe as you enter. All the muscians take their turns to sing or play to the captive audience. It is a good idea. We wandered round the stands and did the research then watched the designer wedding show. I loved the models hair styles!. Exquisite. Hairdresser Michael Van Clarke is a genius. Look him up on the web.

Working too hard we decided a glass of champagne and a moment of romance was needed. As we sat sipping the bubbly the models waltzed between the tables in divine cocktail dresses and adorable shoes. They stopped infront of my man and smiled at him hoping he would jump up and rush off to buy the outfit for me! However he kept seated enjoying the attention immensely.After visiting my friend Beach on his DJ Sliding Vinyl ( excellent DJ book him now) stand we decided enough was enough of romance and we caught the complimentary bus back to Sloane Square and home.

Will I be asking for permission to exhibit?. I don't think so only because there were thirteen photographers all selling similar work to a limited but hopefully for them serious and wealthy brides.

Tips on the dresses out there for you in 2010

If you are tall it is great to have the shape of dress that hugs yours hips and then flares out at your calf. Very flattering. Not everybody suits strapless dresses. Try on other styles you might be surprised how beautiful a v or rounded neck line can be on you.If you are getting married in a large church then I would go for a train or a long veil. Its the entrance of your life so make the most of it. Great for my photographs as well!

For lots of photographs go to www.elainemaysonphotography .co.uk

February 4th 2010

Hectic first week back from my hols. Planning some exciting interviews and reviews in the dance World so watch this space!

Photographed a company awards. I usually provide a cd of the shots so the company can use the images in magazines and in house publications
I also photographed a twins 4 year old birthday party with studio shots.
From the age of eight I do advertise photo shoot birthday parties on my web site. A fun and exciting party atmosphere where you experience what it feels like to be a model in your favourite outfits and accessories. A must do for your next birthday!
http://www.elainemaysonphotography.co.uk/

I am available for any any age birthday parties taken on location or at the family home. There is an option of reportage photographs, studio photos or a bit of both.
I can design a bespoke photobook to treasure and cd's of the photos and prints, canvases etc. are available to purchase. Wonderful lasting memories with competitive pricing.