Kenneth MacMillan is a Titan of 20th-century classical ballet. If you tend to see more contemporary work, his repertory is initially intimidating. But this year — the 20th anniversary of his death —has been a revelation.
First we had the Royal Ballet’s revival of Prince of Pagodas with its sci-fi sets and Britten score. Now they perform a triple bill of his ballets ranging from 1963-1976. MacMillan was as influenced by film and post-war theatre (especially John Osborne) as pure movement.
The abstract Concerto, with its colour-block costumes and Shostakovich piano concert, is reminiscent of Sixties film titles, as dancers flood the stage (intercut by Sarah Lamb’s exquisite, fluid duet with Ryoichi Hirano). In MacMillan’s hands, Las Hermanas (based on Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba), becomes a dark family psychodrama, as five sisters, repressed by a controlling mother, compete for the affections of a brutish cad.
The choreography is hilarious (never have dancers on pointe looked so nervy and agitated) but Zenaida Yanowsky as the plain elder sister is heart-breaking.
Finally, one-act ballet Requiem, set to Gabriel Faure’s joyous choral music and inspired by drawings by William Blake. You can’t take your eyes off Carlos Acosta’s gymnastic form in a loin cloth but the changing pyramid of bodies, against a minimalist pillared set, is breathtaking. MacMillan’s legacy, for balletomanes and fans of live performance, just gets more fascinating.
In rep until Dec 5; roh.org.uk 0207 304 4000.
