Diane Parkes talks to Carlos Acosta about Myths and Modern Masters, the mixed bill that he’ll present at The Royal Opera House in August. Former Royal Ballet principal Carlos Acosta returns to The … [Read more...] about Interview: Carlos Acosta on his special project at The Royal Opera House this summer
Royal Ballet and Opera
Royal Opera House’s new curtains unveiled to King Charles III
Last night, the Royal Ballet and Opera unveiled its new Main Stage curtains at the Spring Gala. Attended by His Majesty King Charles III, the occasion not only marked a milestone in the … [Read more...] about Royal Opera House’s new curtains unveiled to King Charles III
Review: Tulsa Ballet conquers London with a balletic richness made in America
Graham Watts sees Tulsa Ballet’s ‘Made in America’ triple bill at Royal Ballet and Opera – a young, dynamic ensemble, with an overarching sense of theatre. TitleMade in America: Classical Symphony | … [Read more...] about Review: Tulsa Ballet conquers London with a balletic richness made in America
Royal Ballet and Opera unveils new stage curtains during special Gala performance
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
Review: Wayne McGregor’s Alchemies – changing expectations at The Royal Ballet
Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel sees Wayne McGregor: Alchemies with The Royal Ballet – This exhilarating triple bill is the very essence of alchemies of curiosity: absorbing, engaging, daring. TitleWayne … [Read more...] about Review: Wayne McGregor’s Alchemies – changing expectations at The Royal Ballet
The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme – celebrating 25 years of discovering opera’s brightest new stars
The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme celebrates its 25th anniversary in the 2026-2027 season, marking a quarter of a century of discovering, nurturing and training the next generation of … [Read more...] about The Royal Opera’s Jette Parker Artists Programme – celebrating 25 years of discovering opera’s brightest new stars
Review: William Bracewell gives a Shakespearean performance in his debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet
Lily Hyde sees William Bracewell's debut in Mayerling – one of The Royal Ballet’s most intelligent dancers, a singular performer who evades comparison. TitleMayerlingCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: William Bracewell gives a Shakespearean performance in his debut in Mayerling with The Royal Ballet
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: Mayara Magri’s ‘revelatory’ debut as Giselle with Matthew Ball and The Royal Ballet
Lily Hyde sees Mayara Magri’s debut as Giselle and thinks it ‘will go on to be regarded as timeless and perennial as Wright’s ballet itself’. TitleGiselleCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueRoyal Ballet … [Read more...] about Review: Mayara Magri’s ‘revelatory’ debut as Giselle with Matthew Ball and The Royal Ballet
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
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
Royal Ballet and Opera Summer Season with Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta
Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta take centre stage at the Royal Opera House this summer with two individually curated programmes. MARIANELA – Timeless29 July – 2 August Royal Ballet … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet and Opera Summer Season with Marianela Nuñez and Carlos Acosta
Sir Peter Wright celebrates his 99th birthday onstage with The Royal Ballet
On the opening night of The Nutcracker season at the Royal Ballet and Opera, the choreographer Sir Peter Wright came onstage after the performance of his well-loved production that he created in 1984. … [Read more...] about Sir Peter Wright celebrates his 99th birthday onstage with The Royal Ballet
Review: The Royal Ballet is back with The Nutcracker – the magic really sings
Matthew Paluch sees The Nutcracker with the Royal Ballet and Opera – top-notch entertainment of quality, where the gold sparkles more than anywhere else. TitleThe NutcrackerCompanyThe Royal … [Read more...] about Review: The Royal Ballet is back with The Nutcracker – the magic really sings
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
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: 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 presents A Single Man, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood
There is a lot of buzz around the London premiere of A Single Man. From 8 September, the Royal Ballet and Opera will host the new work at the Linbury Theatre at The Royal Opera House. It was first … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet presents A Single Man, based on the book by Christopher Isherwood
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
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
Review: Ballet to Broadway – it’s all-Wheeldon at The Royal Ballet
Kathrina Farrugia-Kriel sees Ballet to Broadway, The Royal Ballet's programme of four Christopher Wheeldon works. TitleBallet to Broadway: Wheeldon WorksCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera … [Read more...] about Review: Ballet to Broadway – it’s all-Wheeldon at The Royal Ballet
Review: International Draft Works 2025 at the Royal Opera House
Graham Watts sees this season’s International Draft Works hosted by the Royal Ballet and Opera, an evening that was “both random and refreshing”. TitleInternational Draft … [Read more...] about Review: International Draft Works 2025 at the Royal Opera House
Review: Noé Soulier’s Close Up, part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival
Graham Watts sees Close Up by Noé Soulier – a heady mix of eighteenth-century music (beautifully played) and twenty-first-century dance (superbly performed). TitleClose UpCompanyNoé SoulierIl Convito … [Read more...] about Review: Noé Soulier’s Close Up, part of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival
Royal Ballet Principal dancer Marianela Nuñez awarded OBE
Marianela Nuñez has been awarded an OBE – Officer of the Order of the British Empire – for services to dance in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours. Nuñez said: I am deeply honoured … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet Principal dancer Marianela Nuñez awarded OBE
Announcing ‘Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival’ 2025 in London
In 2022, London inaugurated a new chapter in Van Cleef & Arpels long-standing ties to the world of choreography by hosting the first edition of Dance Reflections. Over nearly three weeks, 17 shows … [Read more...] about Announcing ‘Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels Festival’ 2025 in London
Applications open for Royal Ballet and Opera’s orchestra mentorship with Black Lives in Music and National Open Youth Orchestra
Today, Tuesday 4 June 2024, applications opened for Overture, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s orchestra mentoring programme, in collaboration with Black Lives in Music and the National Open Youth … [Read more...] about Applications open for Royal Ballet and Opera’s orchestra mentorship with Black Lives in Music and National Open Youth Orchestra