Canada’s National Ballet School – Aszure Barton & Artists

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Thanks to Canada’s National Ballet School, we finally got to see Aszure Barton & Artists, which is the name of the New York-based choreographer’s full company. Her two works, Busk and Blue Soup, made for one of the best dance concerts of the season.

I have reviewed Barton before in works she created for Les Ballets Jazz de Montréal and the National Ballet, and thought she is a tremendous talent. It is a revelation, however, to see her own company and her hand picked dancers who are simply stupendous – every one of them superbly lithe, supple and fluid.

Barton’s choreography is quirky, unpredictable, innovative and imaginative. She works in series of vignettes, usually playing the soloist against the group. Her physical language portrays stunning visual images, that feed off her ear-catching fusion soundtracks.

Busk uses the metaphor of street performance to question self worth, while Blue Soup celebrates the connection between sound and music – but these works tunnel much deeper into the soul.

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Busk & Blue Soup
Aszure Barton & Artists
Choreographed by Barton
Betty Oliphant Theatre, Apr. 17 and 18, 2010
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