Graham Watts sees the Jaivant Patel Company, which has stamped an indelible – and unique – mark on the British contemporary dance scene. TitleASTITVA CompanyJaivant Patel CompanyVenueThe Place, … [Read more...] about Review: ASTITVA with Jaivant Patel Company – a choreography of power and beauty
About Graham Watts
Review: Lithuanian National Ballet’s triple bill, Bodies and Codes
Graham Watts appreciates the confident, vigorous flair of the Lithuanian National Ballet's performance of works by Wayne McGregor, Iván Pérez and Krzysztof Pastor. TitleBodies and … [Read more...] about Review: Lithuanian National Ballet’s triple bill, Bodies and Codes
Review: Last and First Men with Neon Dance – a great deal of patience is required
Graham Watts sees Last and First Men and finds that the extreme slow pace of the choreography tends towards tedium after the initial fascination has worn thin. TitleLast and First MenCompanyNeon … [Read more...] about Review: Last and First Men with Neon Dance – a great deal of patience is required
Review: The Opera Locos break all the classical rules in ‘Yllana’
Graham Watts sees The Opera Locos' Yllana – I started in a very sceptical mood but ended as an upbeat believer! TitleYllana CompanyThe Opera LocosVenueSadler’s Wells Theatre, LondonDate24 February … [Read more...] about Review: The Opera Locos break all the classical rules in ‘Yllana’
Review: Coco Chanel with National Ballet of Brno – an excellent biographical ballet
Graham Watts sees National Ballet of Brno in Mário Radačovský’s Coco Chanel, a work of moving and poignant intensity. TitleCoco Chanel CompanyNational Ballet of BrnoVenueMahen Theatre, Brno, Czech … [Read more...] about Review: Coco Chanel with National Ballet of Brno – an excellent biographical ballet
Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
Graham Watts sees Il barbiere di Siviglia with the Norwegian National Opera and Alasdair Kent (a mesmerising performance), Lilly Jørstad (great beauty and clarity of tone), and Gurgen Baveyen … [Read more...] about Review: Norwegian National Opera’s Barber of Seville
Review: The Royal Ballet revives Glen Tetley’s Pierrot Lunaire
Graham Watts sees Marcelino Sambé, Mayara Magri and Matthew Ball in Pierrot Lunaire, celebrating Glen Tetley’s centenary. TitlePierrot LunaireCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueLinbury Theatre, The Royal … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet revives Glen Tetley’s Pierrot Lunaire
Review: Ballet Nights continues to ‘educate, entertain and impress’ with Decadance
Graham Watts sees Decadance, the tenth iteration of Ballet Nights – a high-end brand that hits the mark every time. TitleDecadanceCompanyBallet NightsVenueCadogan Hall, LondonDate4 February … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet Nights continues to ‘educate, entertain and impress’ with Decadance
Review: Compagnie le Fils du Grand Réseau in Bigre/Fish Bowl
Graham Watts sees a clever and often funny show, performed superbly by three excellent mime actors – the Compagnie le Fils du Grand Réseau in Bigre/Fish Bowl TitleBigre / Fish BowlCompanyCompagnie le … [Read more...] about Review: Compagnie le Fils du Grand Réseau in Bigre/Fish Bowl
Review: Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Royal Ballet and Opera, programme one
Graham Watts sees a triple bill from the Paul Taylor Dance Company, including one of the best pieces of pure modern dance of the last half-century. TitleBrandenburgs | Under The Rhythm | Piazzolla … [Read more...] about Review: Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Royal Ballet and Opera, programme one
Review: Gecko’s The Wedding – a feeling of randomness and surprise… and tedium
Graham Watts sees The Wedding by Gecko physical theatre company, but "could not have cared less for any of the diverse characters". TitleThe WeddingCompanyGeckoVenueSadler’s Wells East, LondonDate21 … [Read more...] about Review: Gecko’s The Wedding – a feeling of randomness and surprise… and tedium
Review: Yorke Dance Project’s Modern Milestones, a programme of five inspirational works
Graham Watts sees Yorke Dance Project's mixed programme that took him on a fascinating journey through some Modern Milestones. TitleModern MilestonesCompanyYorke Dance ProjectVenueLinbury Theatre, … [Read more...] about Review: Yorke Dance Project’s Modern Milestones, a programme of five inspirational works
The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance
2025 saw a recovery in the number of shows that I saw, rising to 157 (from 135 in 2024) and – accounting for mixed programmes - they contained 216 separate works (rising from 176 in 2024). Although … [Read more...] about The best dozen dance shows of 2025 – a legacy of memories from Graham Watts’ year in dance
Review: Liudmila Konovalova guests in New English Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Graham Watts sees Valentino Zucchetti's The Nutcracker with "the stellar presence" of guest artist Liudmila Konovalova. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyNew English Ballet TheatreVenueThe Sainsbury Theatre, … [Read more...] about Review: Liudmila Konovalova guests in New English Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Review: Luca Silvestrini’s The Magic Flute – unusual and magical dance theatre
Graham Watts sees The Magic Flute by Luca Silvestrini’s Protein company – a small-scale, yet spectacular, pre-Christmas children’s show. TitleThe Magic FluteCompanyProteinVenueThe Place, LondonDate20 … [Read more...] about Review: Luca Silvestrini’s The Magic Flute – unusual and magical dance theatre
Review: Marking Time – triple bill of choreography unified through the music of Nico Muhly
Graham Watts sees Marking Time with three works set to the music of Nico Muhly by choreographers Jules Cunningham, Maud Le Pladec and Michael Keegan-Dolan. TitleMarking Time – Nico Muhly CompanyJules … [Read more...] about Review: Marking Time – triple bill of choreography unified through the music of Nico Muhly
Review: London City Ballet with works by Page, Robbins, Chu, and Ratmansky
Graham Watts sees London City Ballet's mixed bill Rebirth, featuring Alexei Ratmansky’s "masterpiece of witty, inventive choreography" Pictures at an Exhibition. TitleRebirthCompanyLondon City … [Read more...] about Review: London City Ballet with works by Page, Robbins, Chu, and Ratmansky
Review: Natalia Osipova at the Linbury Theatre continuing her rollercoaster ride
Graham Watts sees Osipova/Linbury – "this remarkable star of 21st century ballet continues to expand her horizons". TitleOsipova/LinburyCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueLinbury Theatre, Royal Ballet and … [Read more...] about Review: Natalia Osipova at the Linbury Theatre continuing her rollercoaster ride
Review: Astana Opera’s production of Rossini’s La scala di seta
Graham Watts sees La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder) in Kazakhstan – a performance of unbridled joy. TitleLa scala di setaCompanyAstana OperaVenueKulyash Baiseitova Chamber Hall, Astana, … [Read more...] about Review: Astana Opera’s production of Rossini’s La scala di seta
Review: Astana Ballet Theatre in Two Carpets – “amongst the best new full-length narrative ballets that I have seen”
Graham Watts sees Two Carpets, the new ballet for Astana Ballet Theatre – an outstanding new entry to the global ballet repertoire. TitleTwo CarpetsCompanyAstana Ballet Theatre/ Mosaic Del … [Read more...] about Review: Astana Ballet Theatre in Two Carpets – “amongst the best new full-length narrative ballets that I have seen”
Review: Dance Umbrella 2025, ‘Change Tempo’ and ‘Siren Dance’ – “it was hard to imagine a greater contrast than between this odd couple”
Graham Watts sees a Dance Umbrella event with Lilian Steiner in Siren Dance and La Chachi and Lola Dolores in Random Taranto and has very mixed feelings. TitleSiren Dance | Random … [Read more...] about Review: Dance Umbrella 2025, ‘Change Tempo’ and ‘Siren Dance’ – “it was hard to imagine a greater contrast than between this odd couple”
Review: Andrea Peña & Artists in Bogotá – dozing off was an instinctive temptation
Graham Watts sees Andrea Peña & Artists opening the Dance Umbrella Festival with Bogotá – “If the work wasn’t enjoyable, it was certainly intellectually challenging.” TitleBogotá CompanyAndrea … [Read more...] about Review: Andrea Peña & Artists in Bogotá – dozing off was an instinctive temptation
Review: Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for Chocolate returns with The Royal Ballet
Graham Watts sees Like Water for Chocolate with Christopher Wheeldon bringing an extraordinary book to life in dance. TitleLike Water for ChocolateCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, … [Read more...] about Review: Christopher Wheeldon’s Like Water for Chocolate returns with The Royal Ballet
Review: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s ‘Vlaemsch (chez moi)’ – a love letter to Flanders
Graham Watts sees Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Vlaemsch (chez moi) with an outstanding ensemble of dancers. TitleVlaemsch (chez moi)CompanySidi Larbi Cherkaoui/ EastmanVenueSadler’s Wells, LondonDate18 … [Read more...] about Review: Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui’s ‘Vlaemsch (chez moi)’ – a love letter to Flanders
Review: Michael Keegan-Dolan’s How to be a Dancer in Seventy-Two Thousand Easy Lessons
Graham Watts sees Michael Keegan-Dolan and Rachel Poirier in "How to be a Dancer…" – “never less than absorbing”. TitleHow to be a Dancer in Seventy-Two Thousand Easy LessonsCompanyMichael … [Read more...] about Review: Michael Keegan-Dolan’s How to be a Dancer in Seventy-Two Thousand Easy Lessons
Review: Momentum with London City Ballet – astonishing maturity
Graham Watts sees London City Ballet's return to London with Momentum – the company deserves every success. TitleMomentumCompanyLondon City BalletVenueSadler’s Wells, LondonDate13 September … [Read more...] about Review: Momentum with London City Ballet – astonishing maturity
Review: Russell Maliphant’s Maliphantworks4 – “I could watch it repeatedly, week-after-week.”
Graham Watts sees Russell Maliphant Dance Company in Maliphantworks4 – Russell Maliphant’s dance is a perfect prescription to cleanse the soul. TitleMaliphantworks4: In A Landscape | Afterlight … [Read more...] about Review: Russell Maliphant’s Maliphantworks4 – “I could watch it repeatedly, week-after-week.”
Review: Rambert Dance’s Peaky Blinders – A major success. Catch it, if you can.
Graham Watts sees Peaky Blinders with Rambert Dance, which captures the 1920s aura with aplomb. TitlePeaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby CompanyRambert DanceVenueSadler’s Wells, … [Read more...] about Review: Rambert Dance’s Peaky Blinders – A major success. Catch it, if you can.
Review: Aakash Odedra is captivating in Songs of the Bulbul combining strength with grace
Graham Watts sees Aakash Odedra Company in Songs of the Bulbul, a sublime performance that received a rapturous, spontaneous standing ovation. TitleSongs of the BulbulCompanyAakash Odedra … [Read more...] about Review: Aakash Odedra is captivating in Songs of the Bulbul combining strength with grace
Review: Gala De Danza in London – a showcase full of new ideas
Graham Watts sees Gala De Danza – a peculiar venue for an unusual gala, which despite the title was much more than dance. TitleGala De DanzaCompanyproduced by Christina LyonVenueCentral Hall, … [Read more...] about Review: Gala De Danza in London – a showcase full of new ideas