The Scarlet Pimpernel
The two words ‘children’s ballet’ conjure up embarrassing scenes of little darlings galumphing around gracelessly in tutus. Audiences at the Peacock Theatre last week, seeing London Children’s Ballet in the Scarlet Pimpernel will have altogether different views. David Fielding, the choreographer, is a genius. He auditioned 400 children and picked 50 or so, who have spent every Sunday since New Year and most of the Easter holidays rehearsing this totally professional-seeming performance. Ben Foskett’s music was fantastic. The whole ballet was funny, moving, brilliantly paced, and the three star turns, although amateur, clearly could be professionals soon. There were two performances last Saturday and every face coming out of the theatre for both of them was wreathed in purest joy.
A. N. Wilson, Evening Standard, May 2006

Let’s end on a happy note: the latest vivacious production at the Peacock Theatre by Lucille Briance’s brainchild, the London Children’s Ballet. Each year, a company of more than 50 young dancers aged between 9 and 16 is recruited by audition for a specially created and professionally staged narrative ballet, with invariably handsome designs and a live orchestra. This season’s choice (a first for ballet) was The Scarlet Pimpernel, with an original score by Ben Foskett and characterful choreography by David Fielding that spread the zest and charm throughout the age range. The experience for these children is invaluable. The solos and pas de deux for the leading couple, Marguerite and the Pimpernel, were especially expressive. Praise to Polly Tring and Henry Perkins (both 15) for elegant and accomplished performances.
David Dougill, The Sunday Times, May 2006

Their most recent production of The Scarlet Pimpernel was nothing short of awesome. A wonderful firework display of talent and promise, bursting with more life than most London stages ever produce. My profoundest congratulations to David Fielding whose moves made it such a spellbinding show.
Emma Thompson, Actress, May 2006


Game Over
The Neo-classical ‘Game Over’ followed, a commissioned work for 11 dancers by accomplished choreographer David Fielding, whose choreography is always interesting, never predictable, and always makes the performers look good.
Patricia Daly, Dancing Times, August 2006


The Canterville Ghost
David Fielding tells the story creatively, conjuring exactly the right mood somewhere between darkly mysterious and hilariously funny… the highlight of the ballet is the Otis’ housewarming party. What a fabulous bash! They all have a wail [sic] of a time… It was easy to forget that you weren’t watching a company of adult dancers…
Lydia Polzer, The Dancing Times, August 2005

David Fielding’s choreography carried the plot clearly and wittily, with a 1920s flavour to many of the dances, and ensembles for rooks, Wili-like ghosts and goblins to spread the opportunities for all ages. The standard was admirable, with many enthusiastic characterisations.
David Dougill, The Sunday Times, May 2005


Easy Living
Fielding’s ‘Easy Living’ is a fascinating working-out of physical space set to Steve Reich’s perpetual-motion score Electric Counterpoint.
Critics Picks, WRTI.org, September 2005


Touched
An opening section, offering some languid stretching as the dancers explore the space around them, quickly gives way to a succession of cameo solos – each dancer linking onto the previous dancer’s movement rather like a relay race. Fielding’s vocabulary is fluid yet controlled and juxtaposes tidy contractions with loosely sculptured swivels. Just when you have been lulled by its yawning seamless-ness, you are suddenly woken up with a smart swipe or kick. The solos transcend into duets; one couple playful, another tender and full of yearning.
Emma Manning, Dance Europe, April 2001


Present Tense
Fielding has constructed a complex dance in which the groups flow from one to another with extraordinary fluency… Fielding has qualities as a choreographer, which could catapult him extremely far.
Maria Jose Fazenda, O Publico, March 1999