Jonathan Gray has been admiring Robert Carter’s dancing for over 30 years, now on his last tour with The Trocks, who were “a delight from start to finish”. TitleMixed Bill: Le Lac des cygnes (Swan … [Read more...] about Review: The Trocks in London with Olga Supphozova taking her final bows
Jonathan Gray
Interview: Royal Ballet Principal Calvin Richardson on life before and after Mayerling
After his debut in the ballet Mayerling, The Royal Ballet's Calvin Richardson spoke with Lily Hyde about his dream role and career as Principal Dancer. Like many male ballet dancers, Calvin … [Read more...] about Interview: Royal Ballet Principal Calvin Richardson on life before and after Mayerling
The Critics’ Circle announces the nominations for the 26th National Dance Awards
The Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle has announced the short-listed nominations for the National Dance Awards (#NDA26). The qualifying period for performances was between 1 January and 31 … [Read more...] about The Critics’ Circle announces the nominations for the 26th National Dance Awards
Review: Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company in Solera – Spanish music and dance of the highest calibre
Jonathan Gray sees the Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, a performance that ends with you wanting more from this wonderful array of artists. TitleSoleraCompanyPaco Peña Flamenco Dance … [Read more...] about Review: Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company in Solera – Spanish music and dance of the highest calibre
Review: Calvin Richardson makes an expressive and beautifully danced debut in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling
Jonathan Gray sees Calvin Richardson's debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet – Tall, elegantly proportioned, expressive and, above all, blessed with great physical … [Read more...] about Review: Calvin Richardson makes an expressive and beautifully danced debut in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling
Review: Matthew Ball is riveting in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling
Jonathan Gray sees a myriad of fine performances on Mayerling's opening night, but none finer than Matthew Ball in Laura Morera's detailed revival for The Royal Ballet. TitleMayerlingCompanyThe … [Read more...] about Review: Matthew Ball is riveting in The Royal Ballet’s Mayerling
Review: English National Ballet’s double bill Body and Soul – commentaries on the state of the contemporary world
Jonathan Gray sees English National Ballet in a new double bill, Body and Soul, which the company dances to perfection. TitleBody and Soul (Part 1) | Proper ConductCompanyEnglish National … [Read more...] about Review: English National Ballet’s double bill Body and Soul – commentaries on the state of the contemporary world
Review: Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends – an assembly of fabulous artists
Jonathan Gray sees Tiler Peck's Turn It Out – to see such a diverse array of dancing talent in one evening was wonderful. TitleThe Barre Project, Blake Works II | Thousandth Orange | Swift Arrow | … [Read more...] about Review: Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends – an assembly of fabulous artists
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
Review: TUTU with Chicos Mambo – a huge disappointment
Jonathan Gray sees Chicos Mambo – I had so wanted to enjoy TUTU but, sadly, the whole thing barely raised a smile from me. TitleTUTUCompanyChicos MamboVenueSadler’s Wells East, LondonDate11 February … [Read more...] about Review: TUTU with Chicos Mambo – a huge disappointment
Review: Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Royal Ballet and Opera, programme two
Jonathan Gray sees the Paul Taylor Dance Company in London – What a company, and what a choreographer! TitleTriple Bill: Concertiana | Echo | EsplanadeCompanyPaul Taylor Dance CompanyVenueLinbury … [Read more...] about Review: Paul Taylor Dance Company at the Royal Ballet and Opera, programme two
Review: The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker – the most elaborate and grandiose of all UK stagings – with Sasaki, Rovero, Zambon, Junker, and Hay
Jonathan Gray finds much to enjoy in Peter Wright's The Nutcracker with an impressive young cast. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueRoyal Ballet and Opera, Covent Garden, LondonDate22 … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker – the most elaborate and grandiose of all UK stagings – with Sasaki, Rovero, Zambon, Junker, and Hay
Review: The Royal Ballet’s Perspectives with Against the Tide, a world premiere from Cathy Marston
Perspectives Photo Album below Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet in Perspectives, a triple bill with works by George Balanchine, Justin Peck, and a world premiere from Cathy … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet’s Perspectives with Against the Tide, a world premiere from Cathy Marston
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
Review: Detention – Gary Clarke Company’s brave, politically themed work
Jonathan Gray sees Gary Clarke Company’s Detention reminding its audience that the freedoms we enjoy today shouldn’t be taken for granted. TitleDetentionCompanyGary Clarke CompanyVenueBrighton Corn … [Read more...] about Review: Detention – Gary Clarke Company’s brave, politically themed work
Review: A Single Man “with two of our finest male dancer-actors”
Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet and Factory International's A Single Man – I wanted to be moved more TitleA Single ManCompanyThe Royal Ballet and Factory InternationalVenueLinbury Theatre, The … [Read more...] about Review: A Single Man “with two of our finest male dancer-actors”
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
Review: Paris Opera Junior Ballet in London – fine artists who were given little chance to shine
Jonathan Gray sees the Paris Opera Junior Ballet and although there was dancing of dashing brilliance the programme let them down. TitleAllegro Brillante - Cantate 51 - Requiem for a Rose - Mi … [Read more...] about Review: Paris Opera Junior Ballet in London – fine artists who were given little chance to shine
Review: Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Inside Giovanni’s Room – a brave and daring proposition
Jonathan Gray sees Phoenix Dance Theatre in Marcus Jarrell Willis's 'Inside Giovanni’s Room' with the Leeds-based company in top form. TitleInside Giovanni’s RoomCompanyPhoenix Dance … [Read more...] about Review: Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Inside Giovanni’s Room – a brave and daring proposition
Review: American Ballet Theatre Studio Company opens the Next Generation Festival 2025
Jonathan Gray sees American Ballet Theatre Studio Company in a "disappointing" mixed programme at The Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre. TitleMixed programmeCompanyAmerican Ballet Theatre Studio … [Read more...] about Review: American Ballet Theatre Studio Company opens the Next Generation Festival 2025
Review: Onegin with The Royal Ballet – Natalia Osipova is a great dance-actress… electrifying
Jonathan Gray sees Natalia Osipova as Tatiana in Onegin – “a tremendous performance from a wonderful artist”. TitleOneginCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate3 June … [Read more...] about Review: Onegin with The Royal Ballet – Natalia Osipova is a great dance-actress… electrifying
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 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: English National Ballet’s The Forsythe Programme – the men come to the fore
Jonathan Gray sees ENB’s The Forsythe Programme and finds the men of the company “spruce, assured, playful and sexy” in “an evening of fast-paced dance”. TitleThe Forsythe Programme: Rearray (London … [Read more...] about Review: English National Ballet’s The Forsythe Programme – the men come to the fore
Review: The Royal Ballet in Balanchine – Three Signature Works, Serenade / Prodigal Son / Symphony in C
Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet's new Balanchine triple bill, Three Signature Works – competent, but rarely exciting TitleBalanchine – Three Signature WorksSerenade / Prodigal Son / Symphony in … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet in Balanchine – Three Signature Works, Serenade / Prodigal Son / Symphony in C
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: The Royal Ballet in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet – wonderfully fresh with lively dancing and vivid interpretations
Jonathan Gray sees Romeo and Juliet with Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball who continue to deepen and intensify their interpretations. TitleRomeo and JulietCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet – wonderfully fresh with lively dancing and vivid interpretations
Review: The Royal Ballet in Onegin with “epic and thrilling” scenes from Marianela Nuñez and Reece Clarke
Jonathan Gray enjoys the wonderful sweep and theatricality of John Cranko’s Onegin at the Royal Opera House, with passionate, complex and fully rounded performances. TitleOneginCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet in Onegin with “epic and thrilling” scenes from Marianela Nuñez and Reece Clarke
Review: Giselle with English National Ballet – a memorable performance
Jonathan Gray sees English National Ballet in Giselle with superb performances from Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola and Precious Adams. TitleGiselleCompanyEnglish National BalletVenueLondon … [Read more...] about Review: Giselle with English National Ballet – a memorable performance