Aside from the worry that Wayne McGregor might be spreading his talent just a little bit thin, the news last week that he has been appointed resident choreographer at the Royal Ballet is surely good. Whatever new works McGregor may add to the repertoire, simply having him around the building on a regular basis is certain to set up an interesting dynamic.
Wherever he goes, ideas fizz around McGregor like manic static. His appointment is a good omen for The Royal's determination to face up to the 21st century and also bodes well for the creation of longer-term relationships with new choreographers.
McGregor started out creating small scale works at the Linbury before he was given the scary expanse (and budget) of the big stage and I think it would be good too see a few more of these apprentice-style residencies built into the system.
Oh, and on the subject of brokering new relationships, perhaps its time for Michael Clark to be considered for a commission again. The last one (set up by Anthony Dowell) came at the worst possible time for Clark personally, and everyone got their fingers burned. His ongoing Stravinsky Trilogy at the Barbican, however, surely demonstrates that the Opera House is once again his natural home. How fabulous would Clark's choreography look with the new generation of Royal Ballet dancers, and how fabulous would it be to see him working with a full-size orchestra?
