Julie Cunningham & Company – m/y-kovsky | fire bird ★★★★ Sadler's Wells | November 10 & 11, 2022


Julie Cunningham & Company brings a fresh and challenging interpretation to some familiar classics. The first two movements of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 become m/y-kovsky, a thoughtful and whimsical commentary on relationships and relating to others. There is an interplay between notions of conformity and independence. The dancers perform in overalls and the pockets are cleverly used in ways that can be read as assertions of self-sufficiency which then become a recognition of interdependence. Indeed, the tension throughout seems to be between individualism and connection. This occurs within a context of queer identity that is set up in m/y-kovsky and is further developed in Cunningham's very personal reading of Stravinsky's fire bird. In this piece we are dealing with the individual coming to terms with a sense of self and are shown how the haunting music becomes a key for the dancer to engage an emerging authenticity. In both works the choreography references classical ballet movements while incorporating a powerful modern dance vocabulary. Indeed, the combination of athleticism and lightness that Jules Cunningham exhibits in fire bird beautifully reflects the challenge that both pieces bring to the various binaries that are set up. The power of Tchaikovsky's and Stravinsky's musical classics is affirmed and extended by these compelling new interpretations that really deserve to be more widely seen.

Rated: ★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Christa Holka.

Want to save on tickets? See our Tips page.

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

King of Pangea ★★ King's Head Theatre | Jun 7 - Jul 6, 2025

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Our Cosmic Dust ★★★ Park Theatre | Jun 2 - Jul 5, 2025

Giffords Circus: Laguna Bay ★★★★ Chiswick House & Gardens | June 5 - 22, 2025

Stereophonic ★★★★ Duke of York's Theatre | May 24 - Oct 11, 2025

This Is My Family ★★★★ Southwark Playhouse, Elephant | May 23 - Jul 12, 2025

Ancient India: Living Traditions ★★★★ The British Museum | May 22 - Oct 19, 2025

The Comedy About Spies ★★★★★ Noël Coward Theatre | Until September 5, 2025

Edward Burra - Ithell Colquhoun ★★★★ Tate Britain | Jun 13 - Oct 19, 2025

Intimate Apparel ★★★★★ Donmar Warehouse | Jun 20 - Aug 9, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings