Lily Hyde talks to William Bracewell on preparing to play Prince Rudolf in The Royal Ballet's Mayerling, his acting process, and an unlikely source of inspiration. William Bracewell’s journey to … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s William Bracewell on his journey to Mayerling
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Review: Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote with Birmingham Royal Ballet – a frothy delight
Lily Hyde sees BRB's Don Quixote and is impressed by the lead dancers, the orchestrations, and the design, though disappointed by the corps de ballet. TitleDon QuixoteCompanyBirmingham Royal … [Read more...] about Review: Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote with Birmingham Royal Ballet – a frothy delight
Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates Sir Peter Wright’s Centenary with Gala Performance
Sir Peter Wright Centenary on 18 June will feature highlights from some of the director and choreographer’s most beloved works, including Giselle, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Coppélia. For … [Read more...] about Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates Sir Peter Wright’s Centenary with Gala Performance
Royal Ballet’s Melissa Hamilton presents A Night of Ballet
Melissa Hamilton will curate a Night of Ballet this summer at Grange Park Opera. The Royal Ballet Principal will produce the first performance in England by Hamilton Christou … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s Melissa Hamilton presents A Night of Ballet
Interview: Ivan Putrov on the Dance for Ukraine gala at the Royal Academy of Dance
On Saturday 21 March at 2pm, the Royal Academy of Dance will host a Dance for Ukraine event. Darcey Bussell, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and Ivan Putrov will present a special ballet … [Read more...] about Interview: Ivan Putrov on the Dance for Ukraine gala at the Royal Academy of Dance
Review: Ballet Nights – The New Year’s Day Concert with dancers, musicians and opera singers “of an incredible standard”
Lily Hyde sees Ballet Nights' New Year's Day Concert and finds some very strange artistic choices, though enjoys several dazzling performances. TitleThe New Year’s Day ConcertCompanyBallet … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet Nights – The New Year’s Day Concert with dancers, musicians and opera singers “of an incredible standard”
Royal Ballet and Opera Summer Season with Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta
Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta take centre stage at the Royal Opera House this summer with two individually curated programmes. MARIANELA – Timeless29 July – 2 August Royal Ballet … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera Summer Season with Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta
Access Becomes Art: World Ballet Day 2025 – The Royal Ballet’s celebration of radical accessibility
Wednesday 12 November 2025 marks the return of World Ballet Day, a global celebration of dance, following a year’s hiatus. Building on over a decade of innovation, #WorldBalletDay … [Read more...] about Access Becomes Art: World Ballet Day 2025 – The Royal Ballet’s celebration of radical accessibility
Review: Giselle with the National Ballet of Japan at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London
Jonathan Gray sees the National Ballet of Japan's "triumphant" opening in London – excellent dancers in an impressive company debut. TitleGiselleCompanyNational Ballet of JapanVenueRoyal Ballet and … [Read more...] about Review: Giselle with the National Ballet of Japan at the Royal Ballet and Opera in London
The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, joiners and leavers 2025
Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, has announced promotions, new joiners and leavers for The Royal Ballet’s 2025/26 Season. He said, I am sure audiences will join me in congratulating … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, joiners and leavers 2025
Interview with Christina Lyon on her Gala de Danza in London – bold, generous, and built on excellence.
Gala de Danza comes to London. The international dance, music, and art festival will have its London premiere with three performances on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June at Central Hall … [Read more...] about Interview with Christina Lyon on her Gala de Danza in London – bold, generous, and built on excellence.
2024 National Dance Awards announced in London
The Winners of the 2024 National Dance Awards were announced at a ceremony at the Barbican Centre in London. It is the 25th anniversary of the Awards. The awards – voted upon by the 60 dance … [Read more...] about 2024 National Dance Awards announced in London
Review: Diaghilev and the Birth of Modern Ballet with Birmingham Royal Ballet 2
Jonathan Gray sees BRT2 in Les Sylphides, Le Spectre de la rose, and extracts from Scheherazade, The Firebird and Les Biches – a programme that failed to come to life. TitleDiaghilev and the Birth of … [Read more...] about Review: Diaghilev and the Birth of Modern Ballet with Birmingham Royal Ballet 2
The Maiden of Venice: Carlos Acosta reimagines La Bayadère for Birmingham Royal Ballet
The Maiden of Venice, Carlos Acosta’s reimagining of the 19th-century classic La Bayadère, will receive its world premiere at Birmingham Hippodrome in September 2026. Recently, the ballet’s … [Read more...] about The Maiden of Venice: Carlos Acosta reimagines La Bayadère for Birmingham Royal Ballet
Interview: Iain Mackay, the new director of the Royal Ballet School, on bodies and gender
"I noticed that when I went to children’s parties, when the music starts the boys aged four to six were always first up, jumping up saying ‘look at me’. And then all of a sudden… they don’t dance … [Read more...] about Interview: Iain Mackay, the new director of the Royal Ballet School, on bodies and gender
The 25th National Dance Awards nominations announced
The Dance Section of the UK Critics’ Circle announces the short-listed nominations for the 25th National Dance Awards (#NDA25). The National Dance Awards have been organised each year of this … [Read more...] about The 25th National Dance Awards nominations announced
Review: International Draft Works 2025 at the Royal Opera House
Graham Watts sees this season’s International Draft Works hosted by the Royal Ballet and Opera, an evening that was “both random and refreshing”. TitleInternational Draft … [Read more...] about Review: International Draft Works 2025 at the Royal Opera House
Review: Cinderella with Birmingham Royal Ballet – a company on glittering, reenergised form
Paul Arrowsmith sees Birmingham Royal Ballet in David Bintley's Cinderella – told with dramatic and theatrical flair TitleCinderellaCompanyBirmingham Royal BalletVenueThe Lowry, SalfordDate8 March … [Read more...] about Review: Cinderella with Birmingham Royal Ballet – a company on glittering, reenergised form
12 of the best in 2024 – fascinating memories from my year in dance
Graham Watts looks back at a year in dance and the 135 performances he saw in 2024. He picks out a dozen of the best. I slipped back a little in 2024, seeing only 135 shows, although they contained … [Read more...] about 12 of the best in 2024 – fascinating memories from my year in dance
Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a much-loved production
Graham Watts kicks off the Christmas season seeing Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker with “oohs” and “ahhs” from a suitably enchanted audience. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyBirmingham Royal … [Read more...] about Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker, a much-loved production
Review: Legacy – a ‘refreshingly unusual’ gala at the Royal Opera House celebrating Black and Brown excellence in ballet
Graham Watts sees Legacy at the Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre with "exceptionally gifted black and brown dancers". TitleLegacyCompanyThe Royal Ballet and various companiesVenueLinbury Theatre, … [Read more...] about Review: Legacy – a ‘refreshingly unusual’ gala at the Royal Opera House celebrating Black and Brown excellence in ballet
Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet in La Fille mal gardée in London – a complete joy
Jonathan Gray sees two casts from Birmingham Royal Ballet dancing Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée – “a complete joy.” TitleLa Fille mal gardéeCompanyBirmingham Royal BalletVenueSadler’s Wells, … [Read more...] about Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet in La Fille mal gardée in London – a complete joy
Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Luna – “as weak as things can get”
Matthew Paluch sees Birmingham Royal Ballet in Luna by five female choreographers – “I feel a heady combination of frustration, indifference and doom” TitleLunaCompanyBirmingham Royal … [Read more...] about Review: Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Luna – “as weak as things can get”
Review: Ballet Under the Stars – 15 years of dance at Hatch House
Graham Watts sees Ballet Under the Stars at Hatch House with "outstanding mix of established and emerging talent". TitleBallet Under the StarsCompanyThe Covent Garden Dance CompanyVenueHatch House, … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet Under the Stars – 15 years of dance at Hatch House
Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates the birth of Frederick Ashton
Birmingham Royal Ballet will mark 120 years since the birth of Frederick Ashton with two productions celebrating the great choreographer and founder of the Royal Ballet companies. Marking the … [Read more...] about Birmingham Royal Ballet celebrates the birth of Frederick Ashton
Review: Acosta Danza in Carmen – formulaic and lacking in pace
Matthew Paluch sees Acosta Danza's Carmen: "... a wasted opportunity and a waste of time." TitleCarmenCompanyAcosta DanzaVenueSadler's Wells, LondonDate2 July 2024ReviewerMatthew Paluch Carlos … [Read more...] about Review: Acosta Danza in Carmen – formulaic and lacking in pace
Review – English National Ballet’s Swan Lake in-the-round returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall
Matthew Paluch sees English National Ballet’s Swan Lake in-the-round, 27 years after its premiere in London's Royal Albert Hall. TitleSwan LakeCompanyEnglish National BalletVenueRoyal Albert … [Read more...] about Review – English National Ballet’s Swan Lake in-the-round returns to London’s Royal Albert Hall
Birmingham Royal Ballet to perform at the Glastonbury Festival
Birmingham Royal Ballet will make its debut at the Glastonbury Festival on Sunday 30 June 2024. Taking to the legendary Pyramid Stage, BRB will dance Interlinked by choreographer Juliano Nunes. BRB … [Read more...] about Birmingham Royal Ballet to perform at the Glastonbury Festival
Winners of the UK’s 2023 National Dance Awards announced
The Winners of the 2023 National Dance Awards were announced today at a ceremony at The Coronet Theatre in Notting Hill Gate – the second successive year that the event has been held in this … [Read more...] about Winners of the UK’s 2023 National Dance Awards announced
Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028 sees 24 companies celebrate Frederick Ashton
The Frederick Ashton Foundation has announced more details of Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028, an international festival to celebrate the work of Frederick Ashton (1904 – 1988) and to be launched at the … [Read more...] about Ashton Worldwide 2024-2028 sees 24 companies celebrate Frederick Ashton