Revival of Liam Scarlett’s Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House. Liam Scarlett’s 2018 production of Swan Lake for the Royal Ballet, with glorious sets designed by John McFarlane, is a sumptuous show which has won many accolades. Now on its third revival, this fairytale ballet has its roots in German and Russian folklore. With […]
The Nutcracker – Royal Ballet at ROH
It’s the first night of the Nutcracker – it must be Christmas! Ask any balletomane what heralds the start of the festive season and the answer will always be The Nutcracker. And, in my view, there’s nowhere more special to watch The Nutcracker in London than The Royal Opera House, with its opulent red velvet […]
The Dante Project: Royal Opera House.
Abandon all hope ye who don’t enter From Homer’s Odessey to Virgil’s Aeneid and Dante’s Divine Comedy there is a clearly traceable line of genius in western storytelling. The latest feet to stand on those immortal shoulders are those of the creative team behind the Royal Opera House’s “The Dante Project.” Returning from its 2021 […]
Anemoi / The Cellist – Royal Ballet at ROH
Bowin’ in the Wind The Royal Ballet has created a new double bill of two critically acclaimed one-act ballets, both winners of Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards for Best Classical Choreography and written for the company. Valentino Zucchetti’s 2021 post-lockdown work Anemoi is the shorter of the two and opens the programme, to be followed […]
Don Quixote – Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
Acosta’s Don Quixote brings joy and thrills to the Royal Opera House The start of a new season is always thrilling and this year, the Royal Ballet seems to have been waiting in the wings for too long. We’ve already covered three of this season’s main-stage operas but Don Quixote is the opening work for […]
The Royal Opera House 2023 Autumn/Winter Season Preview
An Exciting New Season at Covent Garden It has been a turbulent year for opera in the UK. The government seems hell-bent on destroying the delicate cultural infrastructure that glues the art form together and in that context, it is good to see the Royal Opera House respond with a punchy new season with some […]
The Royal Ballet Triple Bill Review:
Untitled, 2023 – Corybantic Games – Anastasia Act III How do you plan a triple bill? I suspect the aim is to create a whole that is greater than the individual pieces – and in that, The Royal Ballet succeeded, at least for me. There’s something quite primal and organic about Wayne McGregor’s Untitled, 2023 […]
Cinderella at The Royal Opera House – A Gala Celebration
We All Went to the Ball If marrying a prince is no longer every girl’s dream, maybe it’s still ok to indulge in the fantasy? With Royal Ballet Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella celebrating its 75th anniversary this Season, the company is marking the event with a special Gala Celebration. Ashton’s Cinderella hasn’t been seen […]
Woolf Works at the Royal Ballet
The remarkable Alessandra Ferri wows as Virginia Woolf Wayne McGregor’s first full-length work for the Royal Ballet in 2015 won the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production – and it is now back at the Royal Ballet. Woolf Works features Alessandra Ferri (now almost 60) reprising her emotional performance in the titular role created […]
The Sleeping Beauty at The Royal Opera House – Review
The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Opera House We reviewed this production of The Sleeping Beauty on Press Night in January this year. The dates for May and June are rapidly approaching – we are thrilled that there are more chances to see one of our favourite Royal Ballet classics and very tempted to pop […]