THIS IS LONDON OCTOBER EDITION 2025 - Flipbook - Page 12
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ELGAR SINFONIA NOVEMBER
CONCERT
Since 2018, The Elgar Sinfonia has
performed some fifteen concerts, 99% of
which have proclaimed British Music. Its
remit is to give live performances of
many works, especially Elgar and
Vaughan Williams, that may certainly
have been recorded but are rarely, if
ever, played live.
The concert at St Andrew’s Church,
Holborn, on 23 November is no
exception, Vaughan Williams Pastoral
Symphony should have many more
performances than it receives. The work,
whose title Pastoral denies its real
message of WW1, is as profound as any
comparable work. Holst’s ‘Hammersmith’
reflects and considers, with the everflowing Thames, the moods and life
there, an area where he taught at St
Pauls Girls School for many years. It is
a masterpiece, and certainly neglected in
the view of Elgar Sinfonia Music
Director, Adrian Brown (pictured).
Few in the audience will have
experienced Elgar’s Cello Concerto in
the concert hall played on the Viola in
the Tertis version approved by the
composer. This is a rare opportunity to
explore the different sounds and colours
to be heard; perhaps in a tragic new
light.
A compelling programme at a time of
commemoration. Tickets are available at
www.elgarsinfonialondon.co.uk
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MATTHEW BOURNE’S
AWARD-WINNING RED SHOES
Matthew Bourne’s double Olivier
award-winning production of The Red
Shoes has returned for a 2025/26 tour
for the first time since its 2020 tour was
cut short due to the pandemic. It will play
a 7-week annual Christmas season at
Sadler’s Wells from 2 December to
18 January, marking New Adventures’
23rd Christmas season at the venue.
Matthew Bourne said: ‘The Red Shoes
was the culmination of a twenty-year
ambition to bring Powell and
Pressburger's seminal 1948 film to the
stage. It was also, in many ways, a
personal love letter to a life in theatre
and dance.
‘When we created the show in 2016,
we were not prepared for the overwhelming response from audiences
everywhere we went both at home and
internationally. The production went on
to win two Olivier Awards and was
honoured by the LA Critics Awards for
both choreography and for Lez
Brotherston’s memorable set and
costume design.
‘This production was certainly a
landmark event for New Adventures,
becoming an instant classic and a
beloved addition to our repertoire. I’m so
happy to see it return this year,
especially as our last tour in 2020 was
sadly cut short by the pandemic and left
many of our loyal audiences throughout
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the UK disappointed.
‘So, welcome back to the Ballet
Lermontov and to paraphrase the great
impresario himself... ‘It's time to put on
the red shoes, Vicky, and dance for us
again....’
A sell-out before its world premiere
season opened in 2016, Matthew
Bourne’s triumphant adaptation of the
legendary film went on to win Best
Entertainment at the 2017 Olivier Awards,
with Matthew Bourne winning the award
for Best Theatre Choreographer.
A timeless fairytale and Academy
Award-winning movie, The Red Shoes
has captivated audiences and inspired
generations of dancers with its powerful
tale of obsession, possession and one
girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in
the world. Victoria Page lives to dance but
her ambitions become a fierce struggle
between the two men who inspire her
passion.
This festive season at Sadler’s Wells
promises a magical blend of familyfriendly dance theatre, bold
reinterpretations and live music.
Highlights include the cherished
adaptation of The Snowman and the
Ebony Scrooge, a hip-hop take on A
Christmas Carol, celebrating community,
tradition and creative spirit.
Ashley Shaw ‘Victoria Page'.
www.til.com
Photos: Johan Persson
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@thisislondonmag
