Alastair Macaulay: A Humble Authority

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/arts/dance/12opus.html

Alastair Macaulay is a busy man. As the chief theater critic of The Financial Times and the chief dance critic of both The Times Literary Supplement and The New York Times, he is expected to write well-informed pieces demonstrating the highest of authority concerning dance and theater, and he does so in "Wheeldon's 'Ghosts,' Haunted by Dead Choreographers Society" in Friday's Arts section.
The striking photo and clever title drew me in, and Macaulay gives his opinion of the dance in the very first sentence: "Very few ballet makers today create movement that is as completely dancy as Christopher Wheeldon does…that for nine years have placed this still young choreographer in high national and international demand." Throughout the piece Macaulay describes the movements, set, and costume with such grace that shows his enthusiasm for the work, and though in the end Macaulay criticizes the lack of meaning conveyed, writing, "'Ghosts' is strong on atmosphere but mighty thin on meaning," his overall appreciation of the film shines through.
As the title suggests, "Ghosts" draws from many previous choreographers, and Macaulay touches on many of these similarities. Although he addresses an audience familiar with dance, "If you've seen a few Wheeldon ballets…" his description of each allows any audience to follow along easily. Here he derives his authority, with his vast knowledge of dance conducted without being pretentious.