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
Ninette de Valois
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
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
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 Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody
Jonathan Gray sees The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, and Rhapsody – an evening of musicality and daring. TitleLes Rendezvous, The Dream, RhapsodyCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about [Review] The Royal Ballet in Ashton Celebrated – Les Rendezvous, The Dream, Rhapsody
[Interview] Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, on the eve of the company’s performances at The Royal Opera House
Former Prima Ballerina and assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, Margaret Barbieri, talks to Paul Arrowsmith as the company visits London in a celebration of Frederick Ashton What are your … [Read more...] about [Interview] Margaret Barbieri, assistant director of Sarasota Ballet, on the eve of the company’s performances at The Royal Opera House
Ashton Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton
The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton with two special programmes Les Rendezvous / The Dream / Rhapsody: 6 – 19 June 2024The Dream / Short Works / Rhapsody: 7 – … [Read more...] about Ashton Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton
Choreographer, director, designer Robert de Warren honoured at Kennedy Center
After the performance of the ballet The White Feather, created in memory of the Iranian National Ballet, Robert de Warren was honoured at Kennedy Center for Performing Arts for his contributions as … [Read more...] about Choreographer, director, designer Robert de Warren honoured at Kennedy Center
MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates its former principal choreographer
The Royal Ballet presents MacMillan Celebrated, a programme of works on both the Main Stage and Linbury Theatre celebrating the work of the company’s former Director and Principal Choreographer, … [Read more...] about MacMillan Celebrated – The Royal Ballet celebrates its former principal choreographer
[Review] A new dance biography: “Dynamo, Michael Somes – A Life in the Royal Ballet”
Jann Parry reviews Sarah Woodcock's lovingly written biography of The Royal Ballet's "almost legendary figure", Michael Somes For Royal Ballet aficionados of a certain age, Michael Somes was an … [Read more...] about [Review] A new dance biography: “Dynamo, Michael Somes – A Life in the Royal Ballet”
Dynamo – Sarah Woodcock’s new biography of The Royal Ballet star Michael Somes
Michael Somes is the unsung hero of the Royal Ballet - the dynamo driving performances as dancer and partner to Margot Fonteyn and as overseer of performances in the company's greatest years. Somes … [Read more...] about Dynamo – Sarah Woodcock’s new biography of The Royal Ballet star Michael Somes
[Review] Snifters, anyone? The Australian Ballet brings Jewels to London
Jonathan Gray sees Jewels with The Australian Ballet at The Royal Opera House TitleJewelsCompanyThe Australian BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate2 August 2023ReviewerJonathan Gray This … [Read more...] about [Review] Snifters, anyone? The Australian Ballet brings Jewels to London
The Royal Ballet celebrates Wayne Sleep’s 75th birthday
On Monday 17 July 2023, the Royal Opera House will host an afternoon of entertainment to celebrate the 75th birthday of former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Wayne Sleep. Distinctively “diminutive … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates Wayne Sleep’s 75th birthday
[Review] Awakening the Beauty. Two Royal Ballet Auroras: Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Mayara Magri
Guest author Jonathan Gray sees two Sleeping Beauty casts at The Royal Opera House, London TitleThe Sleeping BeautyCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate17 and 19 January … [Read more...] about [Review] Awakening the Beauty. Two Royal Ballet Auroras: Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Mayara Magri
The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Beryl Grey, who has died at the age of 95, was a ballerina, director, administrator, and patron of many dance organisations, who had a distinguished international career but was quintessentially a … [Read more...] about Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Sir Peter Wright becomes ‘Founding Director Laureate Of Birmingham Royal Ballet’ at 95
Forty-five years after Sir Peter Wright was appointed Director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) announces that his title will change from Director Laureate to Founding … [Read more...] about Sir Peter Wright becomes ‘Founding Director Laureate Of Birmingham Royal Ballet’ at 95
[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
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
[Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
Tomorrow, The Royal Ballet unveils a new mixed bill, the Beauty Mixed Programme. It reflects a phrase said by the company's founder Dame Ninette de Valois: Respect the past, herald the future but … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
The Royal Ballet’s Beauty Mixed Programme to be streamed live
The Royal Ballet, in its 90th anniversary year, is mounting a broad range of classics and new work during this season and into the next. In honour of the company’s founder, Dame Ninette de … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Beauty Mixed Programme to be streamed live
Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97
The great Russian dancer, Violetta Elvin, dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Company and prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet, died on 27 May at the age of 97. Elvin had lived in Vico Equense in the … [Read more...] about Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97
Royal Ballet School students recreate founder Dame Ninette de Valois’s ‘lost’ choreography
Ninette de Valois’ 1925 ballet The Arts of the Theatre is to be restaged for a livestream performance. The attempt to recreate de Valois’ ballet has been made possible by the discovery of a … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet School students recreate founder Dame Ninette de Valois’s ‘lost’ choreography
[Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
Italian producer Daniele Cipriani seems to be resuscitating dance in Italy almost singlehandedly. The first main dance event in the country was conceived by him and presented in mid-July to open the … [Read more...] about [Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
Everyone who has followed The Royal Ballet in rehearsal during World Ballet Day or watched the interval clips and interviews during the intervals of the company’s live cinema relays will know … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
David Bintley announces promotions at Birmingham Royal Ballet for the last time
Brandon Lawrence has been promoted from First Soloist to Principal at Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley has announced. The past weekend has seen enthusiastic applause for performances of one of … [Read more...] about David Bintley announces promotions at Birmingham Royal Ballet for the last time
Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
A tweet from Peter Land on Dame Gillian Lynne’s account on Sunday evening, 1 July, announced that the beloved choreographer had died - she was 92: Rest In Peace my darling Gillie. I am heartbroken … [Read more...] about Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?
Merle Park, the engine driver’s daughter from Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe), ended up being one of The Royal Ballet’s brightest stars. She says that she first realised she’d become famous when she heard … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?
Tamara Karsavina compares Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky
Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West in 1961 and later that same year he danced with Margot Fonteyn for the first time, and the following year he joined The Royal Ballet. In 1963, the BBC asked the … [Read more...] about Tamara Karsavina compares Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky