Just Dance

Dancers from New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Rambert, Ballet Black and Random Ballet come together in Antonia Franceschi's debut to Malta. They will be accompanied by three top musicians a pianist, a cellist and a violinist. 

Choreographer: Antonia Franceschi

Antonia started her career performing in the film GREASE and then playing a lead role in the film FAME as the character Hilary van Doren.

Antonia was one of the last generations selected by George Balanchine to join New York City Ballet where she danced for Robbins and Martins as well. Prior to NYCB, Antonia also danced with Sir Anthony Dowell with Makarova and Co.

After moving to London she had works created for her by choreographers Mark Baldwin, Wayne McGregor, Michael Clarke, Arlene Phillips, Matthew Hart, Cathy Marston, Karole Armitage, and Anthony Van Laast.

In 1999 Antonia was the winner of a Time Out Award for "Outstanding achievement in Dance".

Antonia produced four programs of The New York Ballet Stars, which performed at The Queen Elizabeth and Royal Festival Halls and then toured the Sintra and Harrogate Festivals.

In 2006 Antonia created and performed the lead role in the dance play "Up from the Waste" which was performed at The Queen Elizabeth and Royal Festival Halls and then toured the Sintra and Harrogate Festivals.Leading from this Antonia collaborated withTal Rosner to create a short film There and then with Mark Baldwin and Ballet Black in the production of POP8 for The Lion and The Unicorn Theatre.

Antonia has featured in several dance films for British television, including Point Blank, Frankenstein, and Ecco and the Merchant Ivory`s film The Golden Bowl. Antonia performed The Vagina Monologues at The New Ambassadors Theatre.

Antonia regularly teaches at The Royal Ballet, Rambert Dance Company, The Scottish Ballet, Alvin Ailey, Richard Alston Dance Company, Random Dance, The New York Theatre Ballet, DV8, Adventures in Motion Pictures, Complexions, and with the boys of Billy Elliot.

Antonia has choreographed several works for Ballet Black, London Contemporary School, The New York Theatre Ballet, and most recently for Mara Galeazzi and Roman Pajdak, of The Royal Ballet.

Antonia has taught workshops of "Dancers Into Speaking" , has been a guest on radio programs such as Radio 4 Women`s hour and was interviewed for the book "Balanchine Then and Now".

AFD - JUST DANCE - Show description

Antonia Franceschi`s creation of Just Dance is a celebration of music, dance and beauty. The group will be a mix of six dancers from The Royal Ballet, Rambert, Ballet Black, Random Dance and New York City Ballet, accompanied by Japanese pianist Yoshiko Sato and cellist Johan Stern from Sweden. 

Antonia would like to share her love of romantic classical ballet and contemporary shapes, phrases and themes, she has chosen composers and dancers who speak and inspire her. Composers include Allen Shawn, Zoe Martlew, Richard Lumsden and the pioneer of solo violin Von Westkoff. 

The programme is inspired by Gershwin`s classic piece `Rapsody in Blue`, where he brilliantly engages and invites the listener with his urban sounds mixed with the unmistakable classical invention to a place of optimism and hope. She has aimed to celebrate the human condition, its frailites, passions and humour. The energy, rhythms and heart, of both the music and the dancers will drive the performances. Antonia is delighted to be presenting two premiers at Pjazza Teatru Rjal on Saturday 9th August and Sunday 10th August at 9pm.

Tickets at €20 available from www.ticketline.com.mt
OR Embassy Cinema ,Valletta and PTR as from Wednesday 23rd July.

There will also be tickets available at the door.

Antonia Franceschi will also be giving a workshop on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th. For more info please contact Ms. Brigitte Gauci Borda on brigittegauciborda@pjazzateatrurjal.com.

Antonia has choreographed several works for Ballet Black, London Contemporary School, The New York Theatre Ballet, and most recently for Mara Galeazzi and Roman Pajdak, of The Royal Ballet.