Graham Spicer sees La Scala’s thrilling contemporary programme: Wayne McGregor’s Chroma, Jean-Christophe Maillot’s Dov'è la luna and Ohad Naharin's Minus 16. TitleMcGregor / Maillot / … [Read more...] about Review: McGregor / Maillot / Naharin, an eclectic triple bill at La Scala
Monica Mason
Interview: talking to Melissa Hamilton, The Royal Ballet’s new principal dancer
The Royal Ballet’s Melissa Hamilton, recently promoted to Principal Dancer, will dance in Christopher Wheeldon’s Fool’s Paradise, opening the company’s Ballet to Broadway mixed bill of Wheeldon works. … [Read more...] about Interview: talking to Melissa Hamilton, The Royal Ballet’s new principal dancer
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
Interview: Ernst Meisner, new Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet
Paul Arrowsmith talks to Ernst Meisner who takes over from Ted Brandsen as Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet in 2026. Ernst Meisner has held a newly created position at the Dutch National … [Read more...] about Interview: Ernst Meisner, new Artistic Director of Dutch National Ballet
The Fonteyn 2024 – the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition “an evening, jam-packed with quality dancing”
Matthew Paluch sees The Margot Fonteyn Ballet Competition: "seeing young people flourish because of their own hard work and dedication will never tire." TitleThe Fonteyn 2024CompanyRoyal Academy of … [Read more...] about The Fonteyn 2024 – the Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition “an evening, jam-packed with quality dancing”
[Review] Yorke Dance Project in California Connections: Three Pioneering Women at The Royal Opera House
Jonathan Gray sees California Connections: Three Pioneering Women with Yorke Dance Project – Isadora, Errand Into the Maze, A Point of Balance. TitleCalifornia Connections: Three Pioneering … [Read more...] about [Review] Yorke Dance Project in California Connections: Three Pioneering Women at The Royal Opera House
[Review] Mosaic International Dance Festival, Dubai
Graham Watts sees the 'preamble' to the Mosaic International Dance Festival in Dubai TitleRoyal Ballet Star (Natalia Osipova's Force of Nature); Nureyev – Legend and Legacy CompanyMosaic … [Read more...] about [Review] Mosaic International Dance Festival, Dubai
The Royal Ballet celebrates Bronislava Nijinska in free livestream
On Saturday 18 November at the Royal Opera House’s Clore Studio, The Royal Ballet will present an extended Insight event to celebrate the innovative creative genius of Bronislava Nijinska. The … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates Bronislava Nijinska in free livestream
[Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death
Guest author Jonathan Gray looks at Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling in London and Paris TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal Ballet / Paris Opéra BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, London / Palais Garnier, … [Read more...] about [Review] Mayerling in London and Paris on 30th anniversary of MacMillan’s death
[Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments
Welcome to this new collaboration between Gramilano and me, Matthew Paluch, to be known affectionately as London Calling. I'm honoured to share reviews and discussions here focusing on the London … [Read more...] about [Review] Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a programme full of ‘wow wee’ moments
Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London
Rudolf Nureyev’s life and career will be celebrated in London with five performances at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which is where Nureyev made his London debut. Former Royal Ballet principal … [Read more...] about Rudolf Nureyev Legend and Legacy – a starry celebration in London
Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
La Bayadère, one of the key ballets in the classical repertoire, premiered in St Petersburg in 1877. Marius Petipa created a perfect harmony between mass scenes and protagonists, and it was the … [Read more...] about Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years
1910 saw George V ascend to the throne, the trial and execution of Dr Crippen, the publication of E M Forster’s Howard’s End and the birth of Alice Marks, later Alicia Markova, the country’s first … [Read more...] about Dancing Times, the world’s oldest dance magazine, celebrates 110 years
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
On 14 March 2020, The Royal Ballet’s principal dancer Lauren Cuthbertson was dancing Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. A rare honour. She was partnered by former … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson – so much passion
Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000
Dancing Times has opened up the last 20 years of its archives to all until 7 April. The monthly magazine has its think pieces, reviews, articles about technique, dance’s past and present, but I … [Read more...] about Free reading from Dancing Times – the complete archive is available from 2000
After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet
Thiago Soares becomes Royal Ballet guest Principal for the 2019/20 Season After 16 years with The Royal Ballet, Thiago Soares has decided to make this Season his last as a Principal dancer with the … [Read more...] about After 16 years, Thiago Soares leaves as Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet
The Sleeping Beauty with Marianela Nuñez and Vladislav Lantratov at the Rome Opera Ballet
Jean-Guillaume Bart, former Étoile at the Paris Opera Ballet, created his version of The Sleeping Beauty for the Yacobson Ballet Theatre in St Petersburg in 2016. His POB colleague Eleonora Abbagnato … [Read more...] about The Sleeping Beauty with Marianela Nuñez and Vladislav Lantratov at the Rome Opera Ballet
Exclusive photo from Royal Opera House archives to remember Kenneth MacMillan
Kenneth MacMillan died of a heart attack on 29 October 1992. It happened during a performance of his 1978 ballet Mayerling. Jeremy Isaacs, then general director of the Royal Opera House, announced his … [Read more...] about Exclusive photo from Royal Opera House archives to remember Kenneth MacMillan
Xander Parish becomes a Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet
Last night, on the stage of The Royal Opera House which he left eight years ago, Xander Parish was promoted to Principal Dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre. The Mariinsky are in London for a three week … [Read more...] about Xander Parish becomes a Principal Dancer with the Mariinsky Ballet
Photos of the first night cast of The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty with Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov
The Sleeping Beauty holds a special place in The Royal Ballet’s repertory. It was the ballet with which the Company reopened the Royal Opera House in 1946 after World War II, its first production at … [Read more...] about Photos of the first night cast of The Royal Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty with Sarah Lamb and Vadim Muntagirov
Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos
The Sleeping Beauty reopened the Royal Opera House after the war in February 1946 when the Company first took up residence in Covent Garden with Margot Fonteyn dancing the role of Princess … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s 70th anniversary revival of The Sleeping Beauty – casting and photos
Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Not until I was 16, as an apprentice with the Ballets Jooss. Why did you start dancing? I was always good at ballroom, and then my mother took me to see Mona … [Read more...] about Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Yasmine Naghdi – the birth of a ballerina
Yasmine Naghdi was born on 25 March 1992 in London. Everyone I meet says, 'Where are you from?', and I say, 'I’m from London', and they say, 'No, where are you really from?'. Well, she has an exotic … [Read more...] about Yasmine Naghdi – the birth of a ballerina
Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet
This is an exciting time for The Royal Ballet, which has been on a roll for several years with an enthusiastic public for the sold-out performances at the Royal Opera House, the extremely popular live … [Read more...] about Kevin O’Hare interview: It’s an exciting time for The Royal Ballet
Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years
Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet is a new book to celebrate Carlos Acosta’s 17 year career with The Royal Ballet from 1998 – 2015. The book, which captures some of his greatest performances as well … [Read more...] about Carlos Acosta at The Royal Ballet: celebrating 17 years
Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Derek Rencher, one of the longest serving members of The Royal Ballet, has died at 82. Rencher was born in Birmingham on 6 June 1932. He joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1953 and was promoted to … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet stalwart Derek Rencher dies at 82
Osipova, McRae and Watson in Marriott’s new Royal Ballet work Connectome
Alastair Marriott’s new work Connectome gets its world première as the centrepiece of the final programme of the Royal Ballet Season. It is sandwiched between two light-hearted classics: Ashton’s The … [Read more...] about Osipova, McRae and Watson in Marriott’s new Royal Ballet work Connectome
Portrait of Dame Monica Mason is unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery
Copyright: Jorge Herrera Photography A newly commissioned portrait of Dame Monica Mason, by artist Saied Dai has been unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery. In the larger than life-size … [Read more...] about Portrait of Dame Monica Mason is unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery
Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I was probably about 7 years old. Why did you start dancing? Apparently I was energetic as a child - I have no idea where that's gone now! My sister who's 4 … [Read more...] about Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition