Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev's Solo For Two, London Coliseum - dance review

Bolshoi Ballet couple Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev take an impressive swerve into contemporary dance
Things of wonder: Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev in Solo for Two (Picture: Nigel Norrington)
Nigel Norrington
Lyndsey Winship8 August 2014

The real-life romance might be over between Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev, but their dancing partnership is very much alive.

The ex-Bolshoi Ballet couple — two of the most exciting dancers in the world right now — have reunited for their own show, taking a fascinating swerve into contemporary dance.

They’ve picked three very different choreographers to work with and it’s an admirable undertaking even if the material sometimes leaves these firecrackers fizzling.

As dancers, Osipova and Vasiliev’s dynamic is interesting. She is slight, sinewy and intense, never giving less than everything. He is a powerhouse, all about effortless virtuosity and goofy expressions. It’s like the head girl dancing with the class clown.

Their bodies are things of wonder and there’s simple dazzlement in seeing Vasiliev’s muscular form turn from snake into spinning top, or Osipova’s immaculate control of her high-flying limbs. But tonight’s programme doesn’t quite do them justice.

There’s something off about the tone. Too many moments where it’s hard to tell if it’s supposed to be funny or not. Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s Mercy starts with faux fighting and ends with Vasiliev as a sort of mystical puppet master (it’s supposed to be about compassion, but as far as I can see it’s about a woman being beaten up and manipulated). Ohad Naharin’s Passo flits between animalistic instinct, trotting, try-hard hilarity and arresting tenderness.

Arthur Pita’s dance theatre piece Facada gives them some drama to get their teeth into. Osipova is quietly terrifying as a jilted bride, in turns possessive, seductive, perturbing and murderous. Anyone who’s seen Osipova play Giselle will know she excels at wronged women. With vengeance wreaked, the show ends on a high.

Until Aug 9. Tel: 020 7845 9300 or go to eno.org

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