From Ash to Promise
Programme
BalletMAR
Welcome to this evening’s performance. We’d like to thank you for joining us at the wonderful performance space. BalletMAR is committed to producing high quality ballet and dance performance that explore relevant and contemporary narratives through storytelling, and perhaps questioning our expectations through recontextualisation of familiar themes.
We are also passionate about acting as advocates for our incredible freelance community of artists and creatives, through fair and considerate working practices that celebrate the breadth of talent in the UK and beyond.
In tonight’s programme you will experience three contrasting works that delve into the nuance of contemporary Jewish experience, identity, resilience and a universal yearning for connection. It is only through looking back, we can look forward.
Thank you.
Marika Brussel & Richard Bermange, Co-directors, BalletMAR
Acknowledgements
We want to thank Southeast Dance for believing in this project and for being so welcoming. Special thanks to Cath James, who has been such a supporter of our work.
Thanks to Peter London, for the original commission of Slant of the Earth. Thanks also to JW3 for their belief in this production, support throughout this process and for rehearsal space.
London Studio Centre, Danceworks and
40 Clarence Mews for additional rehearsal space. And an enormous thank you to all the dance artists for their dedication and creative investment.
Financial support
Many thanks to Tsurah August, Marie-Lan Caufment, Kevin Keeker, Sarah and Jonathan Ledermann, Melissa Midgen, Bill Schroeder, Danielle London, Jonathan London, & Marlene Glasheen for their generous support of this production
Immense appreciation to Sarah McCartney and 4160 Tuesdays for creating the bespoke perfume that scented the rehearsal process
Programme
Mr Greentree (My Wish was my Command)
Premiered 2023, Manhattan Movement Art Centre, NYC
Choreographer: Richard Bermange
Mr Greentree (My Wish was my Command) is a multi media dance work that celebrates the irrepressible world of Fritz Grünbaum. A much beloved Jewish cabaret entertainer of the early 20th Century, famed for his quick witted repartee, political satire, fearlessly ardent anti-fascist convictions, and fundamentally, the transformative power of theatre.
Dancer - Dolly Banks-Baddiel
Lighting Designer - Danny Varečka
Sound Designer - George Webster
Projection & Animation Designer - Rhia Mitsuhash
iCostume realised by - Richard Bermange
short pause
Lot’s Wife
Premiered as a film in 2020
Choreographer: Marika Brussel
Music: Carla Lucero
Lot’s Wife explores the biblical story of Lot, and his wife- the one who looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt. But what was she looking back at? Her entire life: her family, her friends, her history… was there.
Opening Poem: Kristin Batey
Dancers - Mayuko Suzuki and Alexander Fadayiro
Lighting Designer - Danny Varečka
Costume Designer: Kaori Higashiyama
Rehearsal Director: George-Murray Nightingale
Interval
Slant of the Earth
Premiered 2025, Peninsula Ballet Theatre, California, USA
Choreographer Marika Brussel
Originally commissioned by Peter London
Slant of the Earth goes further back in time to look at the story of Abraham, Sarah and Hagar.
Our story begins when Abraham, afraid for his life, tells Pharaoh that Sarah is his sister, and not his wife. Once they are found out, Abraham takes Sarah and her friend/maid Hagar to a new country to begin again.
When G-d informs Abraham that he and Sarah will parent a new nation, he understands this enormous responsibility. But Sarah keeps having miscarriages. Grieving these losses, she convinces Hagar to be her surrogate. And so complicates an already complicated relationship, leading to jealousy, tenderness and betrayal.
Sarah: Tamara Hinson
Hagar: Michaela Marrable
Abraham: Ryan Upton
Ensemble:
Alexander Fadayiro, Mayuko Suzuki, Greg Tyndall & Ellie Young
Music: Peter-Anthony Togni: Hymns of Heaven & Earth
Shinji Eshima: The Despot’s Rage, the Slave’s Revenge (for 'cello, piano and marimba – composed for Emil Miland)
Recorded live at Music at Kohl Mansion, Burlingame, CA, January 11, 2015
Recording: Links Sound
Costume Designer: Kaori Higashiyama
Rehearsal Director: George-Murray Nightingale
CAST
Dolly Banks-Baddiel trained at London Studio Centre, graduating as a member of Images Ballet Company in 2023. As a member of the company she performed in pieces by Jenna Lee (English National Ballet), Will Tuckett (The Royal Ballet), Constant Vigier (Scottish Ballet) and Jennifer Jackson (The Royal Ballet). Due to injury she was forced to take an extensive hiatus from performance. She is incredibly excited to be returning to the stage with Mr Greentree (My Wish Was My Command) and honoured to be a part of From Ash To Promise. She will also appear in the upcoming dance film (be)longing by Michael Mendones, to be exhibited at the Bethlem Gallery from April 2026. Dolly has a keen interest in choreography and has loved working alongside and learning from Richard to bring this instalment of Mr Greentree to life. Her choreographic and vocal work can be found on Instagram at @doll_loveday_choreo_vocals. She also teaches ballet, jazz and contemporary dance to children and adults and is passionate about spreading joy through dance and music.
Alexander Fadayiro trained at Dance Direction UK and Tring Park School for the Performing Arts before graduating from Central School of Ballet in 2019 with a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance, performing with Ballet Central in works by Calvin Richardson, Jasmin Vardimon, and Christopher Marney. He was a Student Associate with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and subsequently joined the company, originating the role of Lennox in the original cast of Romeo and Juliet. Alexander joined Ballet Black in 2019, performing in Mthuthuzeli November’s Ingoma and creating roles in The Waiting Game, Like Water, Will Tuckett’s Then Or Now, and Sophie Laplane’s Eightfold, dancing the role of JOY. In 2023, he made his principal debut as Andrew Stroud in November’s Nina Simone tribute ballet By Whatever Means. In 2024, Alexander joined KVN Dance Company under the direction of Kevan Allen, dancing in Coppélia. In 2025, he returned to New Adventures, performing in the European and Asian tour of Swan Lake: The Next Generation.
Tamara Hinson trained at the Arts Educational School, Tring Park and Elmhurst. She has danced professionally with leading companies including Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, The Israel Ballet and Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, performing across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and North America. Her wide-ranging repertoire spans the great classical and neoclassicals, with roles in Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Cinderella and Les Sylphides, alongside works by George Balanchine such as Symphony in C and Serenade, and Kenneth MacMillan’s Onegin. Performance highlights include venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and the Beijing Opera House. Since becoming London-based and freelance, Tamara has continued to work regularly with Birmingham Royal Ballet on UK tours and has been a core member of New English Ballet Theatre since 2022. She has also collaborated closely with Ballet MAR and choreographer Marika Brussel for the past three years, and is delighted to be part of this UK premiere.
Michaela Marrable is a Canadian dancer and a graduate of Canada’s National Ballet School. She has worked with Northern Ballet, The Royal Ballet and Opera, and Cork City Ballet. Her credits include performances in the West End production of The Snowman and on stages such as as the Barbican Theatre, Manchester Opera House, Sadler’s Wells, and the Royal Opera House. Since its founding in 2024, Michaela has been a company member of BalletMar, where she originated the role of Penelope in By a Thread and performed Bianca in Iago v Othello. Some of her featured classical roles include the Sugar Plum Fairy, Odette, and the Swan Lake Pas de Trois. She has worked with choreographers Cathy Marston, Didy Veldman, and Blanca Li, and has toured nationally with New Creations Collective and Mergaliyev Classical Ballet. Michaela has also appeared as an actor/dancer in Apple TV’s The Buccaneers.
Mayuko Suzuki is a London-based dancer. Originally from Japan, she trained at Central School of Ballet. After graduating, she joined New English Ballet Theatre for the 2021/2022 season. Between 2022 and 2024, she performed as a guest artist with English National Ballet appearing in several productions. In 2024, Mayuko joined Ballet MAR as a founding company dancer, creating featured roles in collaboration with choreographers. As a freelance artist, she performs across classical and contemporary works.
Gregory Tyndall is from Atlanta Georgia. He was first enrolled in Tap and Jazz dance classes at the age of 12 and went on to begin his formal dance training at the age of 14. Tyndall was accepted in to the Cobb County Centre for Performing Arts at Pebblebrook High School where his Instructor Denise Reeves encouraged him to broaden his horizons in classical, contemporary, and modern dance. He trained with various schools across the USA including The Atlanta Ballet, The Kirov Academy in Washington D.C. The Rock School for Dance Education, Nashville Ballet, and Cincinnati Ballet. In 2009 Gregory was accepted to Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Ballet Theatre. After graduating he joined Saint Louis Ballet, under the direction of Gen Horiuchi. During his tenure with the company Tyndall performed principal roles such as Prince Desire in "The Sleeping Beauty,” Prince Charming in “Cinderella,” and the lonesome cowboy in George Balanchine’s “Western Symphony.” He joined the Newport Contemporary Ballet in 2018 under the direction and invitation of founding Director Miki Ohlsen. There, he has been featured in many roles such as, The Cavalier in “ The Nutcracker,” “Light Rain,” Choreographed by Gerald Arpino, “Where We Left Off,” Choreographed by Nicolo Fonte, “Kindred Two Hearts,” Choreographed by Miki Ohlsen, and most recently as The Wanderer in Danielle Genest’s “The Firebird.”
Ryan Upton trained at the Northern Ballet School in England. Upon graduating he danced with Mystic Ballet in Connecticut, USA for several years where he danced principal and soloist roles in various productions such as The Nutcracker and Little Mermaid. After returning to the UK he has danced in various classical/contemporary productions and toured the UK extensively with productions like The Sleeping Beauty, Beauty & the Beast, The Secret Garden and many more. He has danced in the west end production of The Snowman where he was also dance captain. Choreographically he has had his work presented at Sadlers Wells in London and choreographed main stage productions for Welsh National Opera as well as creating work for numerous ballet schools across the UK. Most recently Ryan has been performing in the dance ensemble of Disney’s Tarzan the Musical in Stuttgart, Germany and just finished performing in Crossroads production of Cinderella at His Majesty’s Theatre Aberdeen.
Ellie Young began her training at The Royal Ballet School (2011-2019) attending both White Lodge and the Upper School, performing in various productions with the Royal Ballet during her time as a student. She received the April Olrich Award for Dynamic Performance and was cast by Monica Mason as The Waltz Sylph aged 17 during her first year at the Upper School. She made her professional theatre debut at age 19 on the International Tour of CATS as Victoria the White Cat, leading her straight into the role of Meg in The Phantom of the Opera. She first joined the UK tour before transferring to the West End in its reopening cast, post-pandemic. Ellie then joined the inaugural company of The London City Ballet, Sadler’s Wells. Performing various roles and touring to New York’s Joyce Theatre. Ellie is currently performing in the Mary Poppins UK and Ireland tour.
CREATIVES
Danny Vavrecka
Lighting Designer
&
Set Designer
Theatre includes: work.txt (Soho Theatre & International Tour); The Watsons (Jermyn Street Theatre); Without (Underbelly, Edinburgh Fringe Festival); Compositor E (VAULTS Festival); Zombiegate (Theatre503); Period Dramas (Other Palace); Noson yn y Glwys (Neuadd Dewi Sant); Jigsaw, The Abductions (Rose Theatre, Kingston); The Moors (Richard Burton Theatre); Fires Our Shoes Have Made, The Improv Musical! (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); Dogfight (Warwick Arts Centre Studio); Timpson: The Musical (King’s Head Theatre); Guys and Dolls (Warwick Arts Centre Theatre); X (Warwick Arts Centre Studio); RENT (Goose Nest Theatre); Blood Wedding (Mumford Theatre). Opera includes: A Visit to Friends (Aldeburgh Festival); Uprising (Glyndebourne); Beauty and the Seven Beasts (Brixton Jamm); Don Giovanni / Il barbiere di Siviglia / Le nozze di Figaro (Sherman Theatre); Hansel and Gretel (Goose Nest Theatre). Dance includes: Éireann (National Folk Theatre of Ireland & Peacock Theatre); English National Ballet Emerging Dancer 2024 (Sadler’s Wells Theatre); Re-Play (Mulryan Centre for Dance); Empower in Motion (Sadler’s Wells Theatre); Terra Nova (Theatre Royal, Winchester); 1001 (Omnibus Theatre). Credits as Associate/Assistant Lighting Designer include: Just For One Day (for Howard Hudson, Old Vic & Shaftesbury Theatre); The Great Gatsby (for Cory Pattak, London Coliseum); Starlight Express (for Howard Hudson, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre); Roald Dahl’s The Witches (for Bruno Poet, National Theatre); The Hypochondriac (for Johanna Town, Sheffield Crucible); Dialogues des Carmélites (for Alessandro Carletti, Glyndebourne). Danny trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, following a degree in Theatre at the University of Warwick. He was selected as the 2023 Design Lumière by the Association for Lighting Production and Design.
George-Murray Nightingale is a British ballet artist whose career spans more than a decade across leading international companies and stages. Trained at The Hammond School and English National Ballet School, he has performed as a company dancer with English National Ballet, The National Ballet of Romania, The Royal Ballet of Flanders, The Australian Ballet, and Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, demonstrating a rare versatility across both classical and contemporary repertoires. His wide-ranging experience includes principal and soloist roles that reflect a deep command of ballet technique, theatrical storytelling, and stylistic range.In 2023, George-Murray appeared as a guest artist with The Royal Ballet and Opera at Covent Garden, performing Emeralds Pas de Trois from Balanchine’s Jewels as part of The Australian Ballet’s 60th Anniversary Tour. Most recently, in 2024–2025, he performed internationally across Asia and Europe as one of Matthew Bourne’s iconic male swans in Swan Lake, bringing renewed energy and dramatic depth to one of the most celebrated works in contemporary ballet theatre.
With 28 years of combined classical training and performance, George-Murray brings a profound understanding of narrative, dramaturgy, and the physical language of ballet. Alongside his stage career, he is developing his interests in leadership, artistic direction, and choreography, driven by a mission to shape a more modern, inclusive, and artist-centred ballet landscape. Dedicated, curious, and committed to the evolution of the art form, George-Murray continues to expand his artistic voice while honouring the traditions that formed his foundation.
Rehearsal Director
CO-DIRECTORS
Marika Brussel, co-founder and co-director of BalletMAR, is a contemporary ballet choreographer whose work uniquely blends classical technique with powerful narrative and socially conscious themes. Her work is recognised for its emotional clarity, theatrical sophistication, and commitment to socially conscious storytelling, exploring subjects ranging from mythology and memory to homelessness and climate change, bringing classical ballet into the 21st century with emotional depth and innovation. Her work has been commissioned by a wide range of companies, including Sacramento Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, Madison Ballet, New English Ballet Theatre, and ARC Dance Seattle, among many others. She has shown work at festivals internationally, including West Wave in San Francisco and several French dance festivals. Marika is also an experienced educator; she teaches Dance for Parkinson's, company classes for Matthew Bourne's New Adventures and for touring companies in and around London, and is passionate about mentoring other female choreographers.
Richard Bermange is a choreographer, director, theatre maker and teacher. He enjoyed a varied international performance career across ballet, contemporary dance and opera. Richard has choreographed and directed for numerous companies and youth programs, having had his work commissioned both in the UK and internationally. Notable productions include The Maids for BalletMAR’s Warp and Weft programme, Ephemeral Blueprint for National Youth Ballet, and his production of Swan Lake for The National Ballet of Ireland, as well as works for Ballet Central, London Studio Centre, ENBYouthCo, and a range of independently produced works across ballet, musical theatre, dance theatre and film.
He was appointed Creative Director of ENBYouthCo (English National Ballet’s youth performance company) 2019-23, and led the company through his tenure of four successful seasons, having both choreographed and commissioned several original works. Notably …Of What’s to Come for ENB’s 70th anniversary gala, London Coliseum, and Changing Constant for the late Queens Diamond Jubilee. He continues in the role of Associate Artist with ENB.
Richard is a regular guest teacher, ballet master and rehearsal director at a number of vocational schools and professional companies. He completed a Post Graduate degree in Choreography in 2016 and continues to develop his creative practice. .
Photo 1: Peninsula Ballet Theatre in Slant of the Earth
Vin Eiamvuthikorn, photographer
Photo 2:
Tamara Hinson and Elizabeth Ortega in rehearsal for Slant of the Earth
Elizabeth Langfeld, photographer
