On Thursday 14 May, following almost three decades of service and tens of thousands of performances, the Royal Ballet and Opera will unveils its new stage curtains as part of a Gala … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance
Frederick Ashton
The Royal Ballet – complete 2026-2027 Season
The Royal Ballet has unveiled a programme that aims to honour its extraordinary lineage and embrace the future of the art form during the 2026-2027 Season. In celebration of his 20th anniversary as … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet – complete 2026-2027 Season
The Royal Ballet School looks to the future as it celebrates its 100th anniversary
Matthew Paluch attended a Royal Ballet School Centenary Insight Day. Like the school's founder, Ninette de Valois, he believes we need more than feelings; we need intelligence. 2026 is the … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet School looks to the future as it celebrates its 100th anniversary
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
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: Marianela Nuñez and William Bracewell in The Royal Ballet’s Giselle
Jonathan Gray sees Marianela Nuñez (sincerity that touches the heart) and William Bracewell (magnificent dancing and partnering) in Peter Wright's Giselle. TitleGiselleCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: Marianela Nuñez and William Bracewell in The Royal Ballet’s Giselle
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
American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Season 2026 at the Metropolitan Opera House
American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Season 2026 at the Metropolitan Opera House – from 17 June to 18 July – will feature a new staging of Don Quixote, as well as the return of Onegin, Swan Lake, and … [Read more...] about American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Season 2026 at the Metropolitan Opera House
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
Natalia Osipova returns to the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Linbury Theatre
In March this year, Royal Ballet principal dancer Natalia Osipova put on a well-received evening of dance at the Linbury Theatre*, which lies below ground, under the Royal Opera House. The first … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova returns to the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Linbury Theatre
Review: La Fille mal gardée – opening night with The Royal Ballet in “the sunniest, funniest, twirliest romcom around”
Georgina Butler sees La Fille mal gardée with Marianela Nuñez (youthful lyricism) and Vadim Muntagirov (bravura dancing) who together are radiant. TitleLa Fille mal gardéeCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: La Fille mal gardée – opening night with The Royal Ballet in “the sunniest, funniest, twirliest romcom around”
Review: the welcome return of La Fille mal gardée with The Royal Ballet and debut performances to celebrate
Jonathan Gray sees La Fille mal gardée at the Royal Ballet and Opera, one of Ashton's greatest, funniest works, joyous choreography with fizzing invention, boundless musicality and humour … [Read more...] about Review: the welcome return of La Fille mal gardée with The Royal Ballet and debut performances to celebrate
The Royal Ballet’s La Fille mal gardée, live in cinemas 5 November
Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée returns to The Royal Ballet for the first time since 2016. Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé are in the lead roles for the cinema relay on 5 November, roles … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s La Fille mal gardée, live in cinemas 5 November
Interview: Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s Artistic Director – bringing the art of ballet forward
Leaning into her third season as Artistic Director of San Francisco Ballet, Tamara Rojo is balancing the venerable heritage of America’s oldest ballet company with its equally venerable commitment to … [Read more...] about Interview: Tamara Rojo, San Francisco Ballet’s Artistic Director – bringing the art of ballet forward
As queer male representation in ballet soars, queer female representation stays firmly on the ground
Ballet has long served as a haven for queer people. From composers such as Pyotr Tchaikovsky to choreographers like Frederick Ashton and Jerome Robbins, impresarios like Sergei Diaghilev, and, of … [Read more...] about As queer male representation in ballet soars, queer female representation stays firmly on the ground
Rocchetta Grand Jeté 2025 – Royal Ballet dancers in the Monferrato wine district
The village of Rocchetta Tanaro lies in the heart of the Monferrato wine district in Piedmont, one of Italy’s most important wine-producing areas. Here, ten Royal Ballet dancers descended for the … [Read more...] about Rocchetta Grand Jeté 2025 – Royal Ballet dancers in the Monferrato wine district
Review: The Royal Ballet at the Nervi Festival celebrating Ashton and Paris Opera Ballet’s Signature Pieces
Graham Spicer sees The Royal Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet at the Nervi Festival, with the London company pulling aces out of its sleeve. TitleA Celebration of the Works of Frederick AshtonSignature … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet at the Nervi Festival celebrating Ashton and Paris Opera Ballet’s Signature Pieces
Review: The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance – the stars of tomorrow step into the spotlight today
Georgina Butler sees The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance 2025 celebrating tradition, innovation and passion with beloved classical works and bold new pieces, danced by remarkable … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance – the stars of tomorrow step into the spotlight today
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 dancer Jacopo Bellussi, the new Artistic Director of the prestigious Nervi Festival
On Saturday 28 June, the Nervi International Ballet Festival opens its doors for a month of dance events, most of them under the summer sky. Hamburg Ballet’s principal dancer Jacopo Bellussi is the … [Read more...] about Interview with dancer Jacopo Bellussi, the new Artistic Director of the prestigious Nervi Festival
Royal Ballet and Opera announces 2025/26 Cinema Season
The Royal Ballet and Opera will bring nine productions from London to 1,500 cinema screens in 50 countries for 2025/26. Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, said, “Our upcoming Cinema Season … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera announces 2025/26 Cinema Season
Next Generation Festival – The Royal Ballet celebrates youth dance talent
The Royal Ballet's Next Generation Festival in the Linbury Theatre features an impressive lineup of young dance talent. This year, the festival will see performances from some of the world’s best … [Read more...] about Next Generation Festival – The Royal Ballet celebrates youth dance talent
The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season
The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season - Highlights • World premieres by Wayne McGregor, Cathy Marston, Akram Khan and choreographic duo Sol León and Paul Lightfoot. • Revivals of much-loved ballet … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet 2025/26 Season
Interview: Roberto Bolle turns 50
I interviewed Italy’s most well-known male dancer, Roberto Bolle, four years ago, for Dancing Times magazine. Today, 26 March 2025, is his 50th birthday, and so gramilano.com is now publishing our … [Read more...] about Interview: Roberto Bolle turns 50
Interview: Giving Voice to British Ballet – Patricia Linton talks to Jonathan Gray about Voices of British Ballet
Voices of British Ballet launches a new platform, with a website and podcast, to become the UK’s richest audio archive and treasure trove of untold stories of British ballet. Dance critic Jonathan … [Read more...] about Interview: Giving Voice to British Ballet – Patricia Linton talks to Jonathan Gray about Voices of British Ballet
Voices of British Ballet’s new podcast and platform to celebrate the history of dance in Britain
Tuesday 25 March 2025 sees the launch of Voices of British Ballet, the oral history project that began in 2002 and now will be available via a new website hosting the growing collection of podcasts … [Read more...] about Voices of British Ballet’s new podcast and platform to celebrate the history of dance in Britain
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
Review: Natalia Osipova at the Linbury Theatre – Graham, Strømgren, Ashton
Matthew Paluch sees Natalia Osipova in three pieces at the Royal Ballet and Opera’s Linbury Theatre with Marcelino Sambé and Christopher Akrill. TitleMartha Graham - Errand into the MazeFrederick … [Read more...] about Review: Natalia Osipova at the Linbury Theatre – Graham, Strømgren, Ashton
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: The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – A Magical Evening
Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel sees The Royal Ballet's Cinderella in London – If there is one thing you do this Christmastime, catch a performance of this version of Cinderella (also in cinemas … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella – A Magical Evening