In The Mood "The Irish National Ballet brought out my rallying side. The enthusiasm of the audience and listening to the rapturous applause it was clear that the company inspires real love and a lasting communion between dancers and spectators, at the premiere of Domy Reiter Soffer's "In the Mood". This was based, as implied in the title, on the sound of Glenn Miller and his orchestral music of the '30's and '40's. But rather than simply stringing together a lively selection of easy beat dances, the choreographer added interest by also hinting at the band leader's mysterious death, with a line up army personnel listening to the failing engine of a distant plane. It gave the ensuing social dances, the jitterbugging, gang games and tap numbers a much sharper focus; and between the girls in sugar-pink dresses, the voluptuous and silly American tourist (Anna Donovan in slit dress and pillbox hat) and the boy-makes-eyes-at-girl numbers, an agreeable pace and variety of mood were obtained. The result it is a period work of poignancy and great fun, and the audience responded accordingly"
Anne Nugent-(Dance and Dancers).
'In the Mood is a stunning triumph for the Irish National Ballet. The music of Glenn Miller with its rich golden sound filled the Opera House with ecstatic dancing swinging and tapping on a good humored note. The war time atmosphere of the '40's was conveyed in the dance, costumes of the period and even sounds of air-raid sirens. Tuxedo junction was a delight with Anna Donovan and Jonathan Burnett clowning around with great gusto and dramatic flair. Domy Reiter Soffer's ballet reeks of inspired choreography and ideas which pleased the audience no end, the applause were strong and spontaneous".
Clare Cronin-(The Examiner).
"The Irish National Ballet programme ends on a high note, with the full company putting the audience in the mood with Glenn Miller's music. Choreographed by Domy Reiter Soffer, there are distinct echoes of the plane crash that killed Miller, in fact the piece begins and ends with the ominous sound of a plane. Visually the dancing is striking especially for the G.I.'s the dancing is as sprightly and disciplined as you would get in any American Musical. The effect was extraordinary as the dancing".
Gus Smith-(Sunday Independent) Dublin Theatre Festival correspondent.
"The Highlight of the night for many of the audience brought us back to the jives and jazz of the forties. In The Mood choreographed by Domy Reiter Soffer to Glenn Miller's greatest hits bring the whole companion stage, jitterbugging to Moonlight serenade, Tuxedo Junction, Sunrise Serenade and many others, with gusto and fun.
Frank Connolly-(The Irish Press)
"The opening night of the week's season saw the premiere of Domy Reiter Soffer's "In The Mood", a ballet set to Glenn Miller's big band music and featuring nine of his most popular numbers including Moonlight serenade, Chattanooga choo choo and of course the title song. A somber note was struck in the beginning and end, with hints of army routine and a line up of sad and bewildered faces listening to the sound of a distant plane to remind us of Miller's mysterious death. But then the mood changed, as the dancers swung and jitterbugged their way through gang games and romances varying between the serious and the absurd to provide the verve against the music's easy swing. Tall Anna Donovan kept appearing and whose confidence was forever getting misplaced, most memorably when she tried to keep up with a trio of tapping girls in sugar-pink dress and continually miscalculated the beat. The whole piece was great fun and a wonderful end to a spectacular evening".
John Percival-(The Times).
"In the Mood" choreographed by Domy Reiter Soffer to music of Glenn Miller was a pure enjoyment. Here the entire cast show they can entertain as well as dance. My favorite was "I have a girl in Kalamazoo" and "In the Mood" an intricate frolic of pure '40's style showing the company's versatility. The whole cast were exuberant and infectious in their verve and energy".
Thomas Cantwell- (Evening Herald).
" to send the audience home with their feet tapping the company chose to round off their theatre festival offering with Domy Reiter Soffer's "In the Mood" to Glenn Miller's Music. In Tuxedo Junction Jonathan Barnett danced his way exuberantly into everyone's heart and sharply contrasted with Anna Donovan as the vampish man eater. Another favorite was "In the Mood" "I have a girl in Kalamazoo" in which the girls in the company were utter stylish and had an elegant interpretation of "Sunrise Serenade" danced by Carol Bryant and Nick Hill. All in all In the Mood was exciting and moving at the same time. It is not surprising that the company had a standing ovation at the end to a complete sold out performances".
Lindie Naughton- (Evening press).