Review: Woolf Works

This month saw a revival of Wayne McGregor's critically acclaimed Woolf Works at the Royal Opera House. McGregor's choreography is widely praised by some, but is also heavily criticised by traditionalists. So, what is the fuss about?

Wayne McGregor’s ballet triptych Woolf Works, [is] inspired by the writings of Virginia Woolf ... Each of the three acts springs from one of Woolf’s landmark novels: Mrs Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves – but these inspirations are also enmeshed with elements from her letters, essays and diaries. Woolf Works expresses the heart of an artistic life driven to discover a freer, uniquely modern realism, and brings to life Woolf’s world of ‘granite and rainbow’, where human beings are at once both physical body and uncontained essence. Woolf Works was McGregor’s first full-length work for The Royal Ballet, and saw him reunited with regular collaborator Max Richter, who provides a commissioned score incorporating electronic and orchestral music.

 The first part of the triptych, weaving in elements from Woolf's stream of conscious novel Mrs Dalloway with references to her real life, was subtle, painful and heartfelt. From what I know of McGregor's work, I was surprised at how stripped-back everything was. The second Act, meanwhile, was my least favourite of the three. It was, in theory, based on Orlando, but it was difficult to trace a sense of story through the lasers and dry ice. Richter's score was the strongest part of this section. Finally, part three intertwined moments Woolf's life with the tale of The Waves, and it was utterly lovely. The music, soundscape, and choreography were perfectly married up into something both sorrowful and hopeful. It was a gorgeous thing to behold.

The triptych is, for the most part, fantastic. Max Richter's score is a brilliant counterpoint to Mcgregor's choreography and direction. Woolf Works is a very strong contemporary work, and a good point of access for people unfamiliar with ballet - it has all of the beauty and none of the pretention. It had a brief season, already passed, so I can't instruct you to go and see it, but when it appears again, you really should fight for your ticket: Woolf Works is a stripped down, poignant piece, and a thing of real beauty.

4/5: Moments of breathtaking beauty
The Royal Opera House,
Covent Garden