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I THE DVEBCDAT A rare opportunity to see Budoli Nureyev with the Cleveland San Jose Ballet, dancing in a new piece made specilically to suit his age and acting abilities. Cleveland San Jose Ballet (lntemational Festival) 225 5756. 28—30 Aug. 7.30pm. 29 Aug, 2.30pm, £5—£15.50 I TDBIAS Driit back to the slick 40s with the inspired and highly entertaining tap dancer who founded ‘Zoots and Spangles'.
Tobias (Fringe) 220 2462. until 1 Sept. 4.05pm. £3.50 (£2.50).
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I ABCHADS Fast, furious and ianatic. the traveling circus is still one oithe most exciting things to see at the Festival. Book now while tickets last.
Leith Links (lntemational Festival) 225 5755, until 2 i Sept, (not Mon), 8.30pm. Sat & Sun mats 3pm. £8
.f I PDPEYE IN EXILE Modem day vaudeville, with mime and stunning theatrics. Suitable ior kids and adults and all lovers oi the comic strip. David Glass New Mime Ensemble. Assembly Rooms (Fringe) 225 2458, until 1 Sept. (notSun), 4pm. £5 (£4).
I SUPEBHEBDES Energetic and imaginative mime
spool oi comic-strip culture. Entertainment ratherthan innovation. : Black Mime Theatre. 3 Assembly Rooms (Fringe)
226 2468, until 1 Sept, (not Tue). 1pm. £4 (£3).
‘SUPERHEROES
FESTIVAL —
dance/Mlmracincus
Last legs
At the age of51, there is no doubt that RudolfNureyev‘s physical abilities have declined. What he will probably never lose. though. is his powerful stage presence, fueled by the legend that has grown from past triumphs.
. . Originally from Russia, though regarding himself as a Tartar. Nureyev secretly took ballet lessons as a teenager. hiding his ambitions from his father. who wanted him to join the military. He enrolled into the Kirov Ballet school, making up for a late start by learning at an impressive rate. graduating to become a principal with the official company. However, distrust from the authorities made him defect to the West in 1961, making his famous ‘leap to freedom’ during a European tour.
Over the ensuing years Nureyev has danced with over 30 of the world’s major companies, debuting at Covent Garden in 1962 opposite Margot Fonteyn. Believed by many to be the most magnificent classical ballet dancer since Vaslav Nijinsky. he has danced the lead in most of the classics as well as creating a number ofimportant roles.
So what can we expect from his visit to the Festival? Taking the lead in two separate programmes and dancing with the Cleveland San José Ballet, he will perform The Overcoat and Coppelia. Ofthe two, The Overcoat will attract more attention. The project came about when Flemming Findt announced that Nureyev should be dancing in a role
suited to his age. making use of his
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Small venues lend themselves very well to this kind at show. The three pertormers are quickly able to establish a rapport with the audience. DK, some oi the gags are old, some oi the humourtoo obvious, but most is iresh and lunny. Spaces are made and situations created without a single prop, the ‘musical' breaks are amongst the best bits. Dur superheroes have
their problems, the anti-heroes their
acting abilities. Nureyev responded by asking his old friend to create such a ballet.
Based on Nikolai Gogol‘s short story, The Overcoat is a one-act ballet which requires Nureyev to remain on stage for a gruelling 90 minutes, with one short break. Whether we shall miss the thrilling bravura and technical excellence remains to be seen, but it is likely that it will go down a storm as it did in Italy last year. (Jo Roe)
I The Dvercoat (International Festival) Cleveland San José Ballet. Playhouse Theatre. 225 5756, 28—30
come-uppance, and Terry the lrritator almost steals the show.
Fast-moving, the show does not stop lor breath, the choreography is tight and clever. They sure get an audience response — one superhero, whilst trying to intimidate some kid with his ray-gun (linger) got it enthusiastically pulled. This is a good show. with some more iresh material it could be a really good show. (Fly Freeman)
I Superheroes, Black Mime Theatre, Pleasance (Venue 33) 556 6550, until i Sept(not 28 Aug), 1pm, £4 (£3).
— SHRIEKING SAPPHIRES
The Fringe is so much about amateur dramatics, that it might seem perverse to criticise something tor looking amateur. But the smallerthe venue, the closer you are, the more saiety pins you see, the more the am" clicks oi the tape recorder can be heard.
This is a pity because the two dancers create quite a poweriul drama. The conilict between the two sisters is convincing and thereiore distressing.
Aug 7.30pm, 29 Aug 2.30pm. £5—£16.50.
I Coppelia (International Festival) Cleveland San José Ballet. Playhouse Theatre, 225 5756, 31 Aug, 1 Sept. 7.30pm. 1—2 Sept. 2.30pm. £5—£16.50.
I Blues and Revelations (Fringe) Moving Visions Dance Theatre, Theatre Workshop (Venue 20) 225 7942, 27 Aug—l Sept. 12.30pm. £4 (£3.50).
I Fragments (Fringe) Crazy Mime. Richard Demarco Gallery (Venue 22) 557 0707. 27 Aug—1 Sept. 8pm. £4 (£3).
The ideas are good, the dancing and acting to a high standard, but when the scale is this intimate, and the aim is a protessional production, then the details could have been looked at more closely. (Fly Freeman)
Shrieking Sapphires, Gianceaskance, Hill St Theatre (Venue 41) 225 7294, until 25 Aug, 11 .05am, £3.50 (£3)
_ TDBIAS 0N swmo STREET
Watching Tobias Tak is like tuning into one oi those old song and dance iilms — one marvels at his dexterity and style, or should the word be pzan?
Jazz pianist Maurice Horhut provides the musical accompaniment as Tobias pertorms some marvellous tap numbers, in styles ranging irom Boogie Woogie to Swing, plus a great cover oi a Marlene Dietrich song. This is a show to brighten even the dreariest oi days. (Aaron Hicklin)
Tobias on Swing Street (Fringe), Acoustic Music Centre (Venue 25), until 1 Sept. 4.05pm, £3.50 (£2.50).
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