Beyond Ballets Russes

Three years after the centenary of the legendary Ballets Russes, the interest in Serge Diaghilev's groundbreaking troupe shows no signs of waning. English National Ballet is again restaging a number of Ballets Russes works alongside new creations inspired by them. The first programme (Mar 22-27) includes Nijinsky's once controversial 'L'apres midi d'un faune', followed by David Dawson's 'Faun(e)', a contemproary interpretation of Debussy's music. Then there's a new 'Firebird', with Stravinsky's score reinterpreted by young British choreographer George Williamson – his first major commission – and Kenneth MacMillan's 'Rite of Spring', with new costumes by British fashion designer Kinder Aggugini. The second programme (Mar 28-Apr 1) features the classical bravura of Serge Lifar's 'Suite on Blanc', Balanchine's brilliant 'Apollo', a recreation of Nijinsky's 'Jeux', with music by Debussy and an extract from 'Le Train Bleu', a piece created by Nijinsky's sister Bronislava, with costumes by Coco Chanel.