Graham Watts sees Tulsa Ballet’s ‘Made in America’ triple bill at Royal Ballet and Opera – a young, dynamic ensemble, with an overarching sense of theatre. TitleMade in America: Classical Symphony | … [Read more...] about Review: Tulsa Ballet conquers London with a balletic richness made in America
Review: National Ballet of Brno’s new production of Giselle with Ksenia Ovsyanick and Alejandro Virelles
Graham Watts sees Rodolfo Castellanos’ Giselle with the National Ballet of Brno – a production that stands among the very best. TitleGiselleCompanyNational Ballet of BrnoVenueMahen Theatre, Brno, … [Read more...] about Review: National Ballet of Brno’s new production of Giselle with Ksenia Ovsyanick and Alejandro Virelles
Review: Shobana Jeyasingh Dance in We Caliban, an ‘inventive, sideways look’ at The Tempest
Graham Watts sees Shobana Jeyasingh's We Caliban – I would rather see fresh ideas than this continuing trope of reinventing Shakespeare. TitleWe CalibanCompanyShobana Jeyasingh DanceVenueSadler’s … [Read more...] about Review: Shobana Jeyasingh Dance in We Caliban, an ‘inventive, sideways look’ at The Tempest
Review: Norwegian National Ballet in Tungrodd / Rahčamuš / Raataminen – preserving identity
Graham Watts sees Tungrodd, a "softly expressive and powerfully expansive" semi-autobiographical work by Sámi choreographer Simone Grøtte from Northern Norway. TitleTungrodd / Rahčamuš / Raataminen … [Read more...] about Review: Norwegian National Ballet in Tungrodd / Rahčamuš / Raataminen – preserving identity
Review: International Draft Works 2026 – an outstanding initiative by The Royal Ballet
Graham Watts sees International Draft Works – three distinctly memorable works among a satisfying, broad spectrum of ideas and styles. TitleInternational Draft WorksCompanyVarious - The Royal … [Read more...] about Review: International Draft Works 2026 – an outstanding initiative by The Royal Ballet
Review: Marianela Nuñez and Patricio Revé in the Norwegian National Ballet’s La Bayadère
Graham Watts sees La Bayadère in Oslo, where two stellar dancers shared the stage with an excellent company. TitleLa Bayadère CompanyNorwegian National Ballet VenueNational Opera House, OsloDate17 … [Read more...] about Review: Marianela Nuñez and Patricio Revé in the Norwegian National Ballet’s La Bayadère
Review: PCK Dance’s Into the Light – the celebrity pairing of James Pett and Travis Clausen-Knight
Graham Watts sees James Pett and Travis Clausen-Knight with Isabelle Evans – a rare opportunity to see them in a full-length show. TitleInto The Light CompanyPCK DanceVenueThe Place, LondonDate10 … [Read more...] about Review: PCK Dance’s Into the Light – the celebrity pairing of James Pett and Travis Clausen-Knight
Review: Company of Elders – over-60s present a double bill with charisma, poignancy and comedy
Graham Watts sees the Company of Elders at Sadler’s Wells' Elixir Festival, which champions performance by dancers of a certain age. TitleThey Look Like People | Survival Kit CompanyCompany of … [Read more...] about Review: Company of Elders – over-60s present a double bill with charisma, poignancy and comedy
Review: Kafka with the National Ballet of Brno – a tour de force for Arthur Abram in the title role
Graham Watts admires the National Ballet of Brno's Kafka – it’s a physical challenge to match the role of Rudolf in MacMillan’s Mayerling. TitleKafkaCompanyNational Ballet of BrnoVenueJanacek … [Read more...] about Review: Kafka with the National Ballet of Brno – a tour de force for Arthur Abram in the title role
Review: Ivan Putrov’s Dance for Ukraine gala – raising funds to support ballet students
Graham Watts praises Dance for Ukraine – a very fine show, worthy of fulsome support. TitleDance for UkraineCompanyInspiration in MotionVenueAud Jebsen Studio Theatre, Royal Academy of Dance, … [Read more...] about Review: Ivan Putrov’s Dance for Ukraine gala – raising funds to support ballet students
Review: Ballet de Lorraine’s hi-energy blast with a Folia and a kaleidoscopic Acid Gems
Graham Watts sees Ballet de Lorraine in works by Adam Linder and Silva Ferreira, which left the dancers and the audience on a high. TitleAcid Gems | a FoliaCompanyCCN Ballet de LorraineVenueQueen … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet de Lorraine’s hi-energy blast with a Folia and a kaleidoscopic Acid Gems
Review: ASTITVA with Jaivant Patel Company – a choreography of power and beauty
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
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





























