5!
JBA celebrates its 5th anniversary with a packed program including a new world premiere and a whirlwind selection out of its repertoire; from 2019’s launch up until June 2024!
© Filip Van Roe
After Études, a polished performance by the entire Royal Ballet School of Antwerp which highlights the intricate buildup of classical ballet technique, JBA’s new creation, The Wind’s Gift by the talented young Chinese choreographer Le Wang, opens the evening. This poetic and mystical ballet is a subtle, beautiful fusion of East and West, classical and contemporary traditions. With music by Chen Qigong and softly flowing Chinese inspired costumes, it is an instant success.
There is an extreme change of speed in the finale to the evening; 5! is an exuberant, perfectly executed and seamless compilation of 11 extracts from JBA’s growing repertoire. It highlights the impressive diversity of styles commanded by the young dancers as well as their proficient technique and artistry. It features the highly individual choreography YU, Claroscuro, Summer, Cinderella of their brilliant resident associate director, Altea Nuñez, that of master dance-maker and JBA’s artistic patron, David Dawson with the mesmerizing work Metamorphosis, as well as passages out of the ballets of Mauro de Candia, Andrew McNicol, Ilja Louwen, Yannick Boquin and Nancy Osbaldeston.
These performances which end the season play to packed houses and garner 5-star raves from the Antwerp press. The success of 5! ensures that the JBA jubilee year ends on a spectacular and well-deserved ‘high!’
