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
Matthew Bourne
Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes – distinct, visually arresting and magical
Matthew Paluch sees Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures The Red Shoes – Lez Brotherston’s sets and costumes are a wonder, the dancers are gifted, it won't disappoint. TitleThe Red ShoesCompanyNew … [Read more...] about Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes – distinct, visually arresting and magical
Review: US premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen opens The Joffrey Ballet’s 70th anniversary season in Chicago amid a myriad of milestones
Scott C Morgan sees the US premiere of Liam Scarlett's Carmen with the Joffrey Ballet – an impressive story ballet adaptation. TitleCarmenCompanyThe Joffrey BalletVenueLyric Opera House, … [Read more...] about Review: US premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen opens The Joffrey Ballet’s 70th anniversary season in Chicago amid a myriad of milestones
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
Review: Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – elevated by a brilliant creative team
Matthew Paluch sees Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – spot-on costume design, ingenious set, and choreographer Paul Roberts is a master of all trades. TitleQuadrophenia, a Mod BalletCompanySadler’s Wells, … [Read more...] about Review: Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet – elevated by a brilliant creative team
Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell – the masterful storyteller returns
Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel sees New Adventures in The Midnight Bell with Matthew Bourne exploring different kinds of love through “intricately beautiful choreography”. TitleThe Midnight BellCompanyNew … [Read more...] about Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell – the masterful storyteller returns
Matthew Ball to join the cast of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet
In four weeks, Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, opens in Plymouth and will tour the UK, including three weeks at London’s Sadler’s Wells theatre. Joining the cast for some of the London performances … [Read more...] about Matthew Ball to join the cast of Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet
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
Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, tours UK from May
Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia: first an album for The Who, then a film, and now a ballet. It reaches Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London on 24 June. In 1973, guitar-smashing Pete Townshend wrote … [Read more...] about Pete Townshend’s Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet, tours UK from May
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
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures announces the return of Doorstep Duets
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, in partnership with Farnham Maltings, has announced the return of Doorstep Duets, which will tour to communities across the South-East this summer from 13 August to 10 … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures announces the return of Doorstep Duets
Sadler’s Wells in London has announced seven new Associate Artists
Sadler’s Wells has announced seven new Associate Artists who represent a wide range of dance styles and are among the most exciting talents working in dance today. The appointments were made by … [Read more...] about Sadler’s Wells in London has announced seven new Associate Artists
London Dance 2023 – Matthew Paluch looks back on a year of dance in the capital
Here’s another the-dance-world-according-to-one-person review of 2023 – because there aren’t enough of those, right? Living in London I’m blessed beyond belief regarding what I get access to … [Read more...] about London Dance 2023 – Matthew Paluch looks back on a year of dance in the capital
[Review] Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands – seasonal magic without getting tangled in the tinsel
Lydia Wharf sees Edward Scissorhands in London: "a visual treat – sophisticated and enjoyable with a wry sense of humour." TitleEdward Scissorhands CompanyNew Adventures VenueSadler's Wells, … [Read more...] about [Review] Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands – seasonal magic without getting tangled in the tinsel
[Review] Drew McOnie’s Nutcracker in London – the right amount of honesty and camp irreverence
Jonathan Gray sees a new Nutcracker that helps us get in the mood for Christmas. TitleNutcrackerCompanyDrew McOnie CompanyVenueTuff Nutt Jazz Club, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, LondonDate4 … [Read more...] about [Review] Drew McOnie’s Nutcracker in London – the right amount of honesty and camp irreverence
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends – Cameron Mackintosh releases 5,000 best seats at £25
Cameron Mackintosh has announced that he is making 5,000 tickets available at just £25 each for theatregoers aged 30 or under to see the top-rated show Old Friends, which … [Read more...] about Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends – Cameron Mackintosh releases 5,000 best seats at £25
[Review] The Limit – The Royal Ballet’s Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell in a new two-hander
Jann Parry sees The Limit at the Linbury Theatre – “Hayward and Campbell are marvellous movers but the production’s premise is perverse.” TitleThe LimitCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Linbury … [Read more...] about [Review] The Limit – The Royal Ballet’s Francesca Hayward and Alexander Campbell in a new two-hander
Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands embarks on six-month UK tour
Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands will embark on an 18-venue UK tour in November. Opening on 20 November 2023 at the Theatre Royal in Plymouth New Adventures' production will run until 25 May … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands embarks on six-month UK tour
[Review] Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet returns to London – drama, trauma and fake blood
Matthew Paluch sees Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet in London TitleRomeo and JulietCompanyNew AdventuresVenueSadler's Wells, LondonDate4 August 2023ReviewerMatthew Paluch In the words of Celine … [Read more...] about [Review] Matthew Bourne’s Romeo and Juliet returns to London – drama, trauma and fake blood
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures brings Doorstep Duets to SE England
Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, in partnership with Farnham Maltings, has announced the return of Doorstep Duets, which will tour to communities across the South-East of England from 11 July to 5 … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures brings Doorstep Duets to SE England
Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
8 March 1939 – 7 March 2023 Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. The Royal Ballet announced: “The Royal Ballet is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lynn Seymour on 7 March on … [Read more...] about Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
[Review] Hex – an alternative Sleeping Beauty from the National Theatre
After The Sleeping Beauty by Matthew Bourne and with The Royal Ballet, Matthew Paluch looks at the National Theatre’s take on the story. TitleHexCompanyNational TheatreVenueOlivier Theatre, National … [Read more...] about [Review] Hex – an alternative Sleeping Beauty from the National Theatre
[Review] Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: a joyous performance with the ‘wow’ factor
Guest author Deborah Weiss sees Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty in London TitleSleeping BeautyCompanyNew AdventuresVenueSadler's Wells, LondonDate3 December 2022ReviewerDeborah Weiss It was good … [Read more...] about [Review] Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty: a joyous performance with the ‘wow’ factor
[Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
Guest author Matthew Paluch sees the 10th-anniversary performance of Men in Motion TitleMen in MotionCompanyIvan Putrov's Men in MotionVenueThe London ColiseumDate6 November 2022ReviewerMatthew … [Read more...] about [Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
[Photo Album] Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at the Royal Albert Hall
Matthew Bourne’s revisited version of his The Car Man, first seen in 2000, has just completed 14 performances at the Royal Albert Hall – a new staging for the Royal Albert Hall’s 150th … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at the Royal Albert Hall
National Youth Dance Company appoints Wayne McGregor as its next Guest Artistic Director
Choreographer Wayne McGregor is the new Guest Artistic Director of the National Youth Dance Company (NYDC). NYDC, now Entering its tenth anniversary year, is the UK’s flagship company for young … [Read more...] about National Youth Dance Company appoints Wayne McGregor as its next Guest Artistic Director
London Children’s Ballet: eliminating barriers to talent
The four-month rehearsal and performance experience is free of charge, which means there is no barrier to talent, so London Children's Ballet dancers come from every economic, social and ethnic … [Read more...] about London Children’s Ballet: eliminating barriers to talent
Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man to open at the Royal Albert Hall
New Adventures will bring Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man back to the stage as part of the Royal Albert Hall 150th anniversary celebrations. The Car Man will play for … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man to open at the Royal Albert Hall
Photo Album: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes is back and has been hailed by all the critics as being even better than before. Adam Cooper joins the company for this revival and Ashley Shaw is Victoria Page, the … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes
Matthew Bourne’s new Romeo and Juliet comes to cinema screens
Matthew Bourne’s contemporary re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is set in the not-too-distant future in ‘The Verona Institute’. ‘Difficult’ young people are mysteriously confined by a … [Read more...] about Matthew Bourne’s new Romeo and Juliet comes to cinema screens