Push

Dance Umbrella, created by Val Bourne 26 years ago is the biggest modern dance festival in Britain and grows better with each passing year. There is a French theme to the 2005 event, which features Boris Charmatz, Catherine Diverrès, Daniel Léveillé and the companies of Lyon and the Paris Opéra, among many others. The one French dancer every punter knows is Sylvie Guillem, the one-time star of the Paris Opéra and now based with the Royal Ballet in London. Her collaboration with the choreographer Russell Maliphant is a highlight of this year’s Umbrella.

Guillem tends to divide opinion among ballet critics but it is an inescapable fact that only she – and Carlos Acosta – can instantly sell-out every seat at the Royal Opera House regardless of the repertoire being performed. Age and injury have taken their toll, however, and at forty years old the full-length classics are no longer her favoured milieu. Her performances as Giselle, for instance, were always marred for many by her trademark 180 degree developpé being inserted into the traditional choreography at inappropriate moments. Having an extraordinary physical gift comes with artistic responsibilities, Le Petomane could fart La ...