Phoenix Dance Theatre present mixed bill in Stoke

May 30 2008 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

PHOENIX Dance Theatre heads for the Regent Theatre in Stoke-on-Trent next week with a mixed bill of performances to look forward to.

This season’s repertoire features both classic modern dance by eminent choreographer José Limón (1908-1972), and the latest stylish offerings from the company’s artistic director Javier De Frutos.

One is a crucial figure in the development of modern dance whose landmark work is rarely seen in the UK, the other a notorious maverick of the contemporary dance world whose passionate Latin American spirit informs his delightful choreographic interpretation of human relationships.

The Limón repertoire features The Moor’s Pavane (1949), widely regarded as Limón’s masterpiece. Set to music by Purcell, this quartet for two men and two women captures the drama and passion of Shakespeare’s Othello in a timeless portrayal of love, jealousy, and betrayal.

Chaconne (1942) is a solo Limón created for himself and has since been performed by company principle dancers and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

The De Frutos repertoire includes Blue Roses, Paseillo, Nopalitos and Los Picadores. Blue Roses is inspired by selected passages from The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams.

Phoenix Dance Theatre can be seen at the Regent Theatre in toke-on-Trent from June 3-5 at 7.30pm. Ring the box office on 0870 060 6649.