Dance: Golden Apples of the Sun

Ashton returns with a dazzling frolic for the Royal Ballet

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, Sir Frederick Ashton wrote: "The older I get, the less interested I am in ballets of the pests, persecutions and cynicism of contemporary life, and frankly I only like ballets which give an opportunity for real dancing." He is 75 now, and those words may well stand as his artistic creed. For the Royal Ballet, he has whirled up Rhapsody, a dazzling, sun-drenched frolic that premiered last week as part of England's birthday tribute to the Queen Mother. There is no plot except from the...

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