The Royal Ballet’s Giselle returns this winter Originally titled ‘Giselle, ou Les Wilis’ this is one of the masterworks of classical ballet. A romantic ballet in two acts with music by Adolphe Adams it was first performed in Paris, France on 28 June 1841. It’s the most famous ballet of the Romantic era and, the […]
The Dante Project Review – Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House
A Triumphant Collaboration in Movement, Sound and Light In the contemporary art world’s equivalent of a rock supergroup, The Royal Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor, visual artist Tacita Dean and composer Thomas Adès have joined forces to create The Dante Project to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death. This creative A-Team have delivered a […]
Romeo and Juliet – Review – Royal Ballet at the ROH – Autumn 2021
The Royal Ballet Back on Stage with Romeo and Juliet The Royal Ballet’s first performance since the Royal Opera House has been able to reopen fully this year is of Romeo and Juliet, for many people the flagship production of the company. It’s a dramatic ballet where characterisation, stunning costumes and set, together with a […]
The Ruggeds “Between Us” Review
Celebrating the most innovative artists in hiphop Breakin’ Convention Presents showcases breaking world champions The Ruggeds from Wednesday 15 – Saturday 18 September. The company, from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, brings its explosive tricks to the Peacock Theatre with the UK Premiere of Between Us. Highly skilled, athletic and known for their pursuit of new […]
Dangerous Liaisons – Northern Ballet at Sadler’s Wells – Review
Seduction on Stage with Dangerous Liaisons My introduction to Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 epistolary novel Les liaisons dangereuses came from Stephen Frears’ terrific 1988 film. Based on Christopher Hampton’s play and with a stellar cast that included Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves, the movie told the story of […]
Reunion – English National Ballet at Sadler’s Wells
Back on Stage – Reunion at Sadler’s Wells. The expectant audience, all still carefully socially distanced and all masked, may not have anticipated a live introduction from Alistair Spalding, the CEO of Sadler’s Wells and from Patrick Harrison of English National Ballet, both thanking the Arts Council culture recovery fund first for keeping the arts […]
The Nutcracker Reworked – Review – The Royal Ballet, Winter 2020
The Royal Ballet performs The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House Seeing a live performance of The Nutcracker is a favourite Christmas treat for me. But, it is one which I’ve scarcely dared hope will happen when our theatres have been mothballed for months, dancers have hung up their shoes and musicians tucked up their […]
The Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake – Royal Opera House – Review
Revival of Liam Scarlett’s Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House. *Stop Press – The Royal Opera House is currently closed due to Covid19* Liam Scarlett’s critically acclaimed 2018 production of Swan Lake has returned to the Royal Opera House for its first revival. The fairytale ballet has its roots in German and Russian folklore […]
The Royal Opera House Friday Rush – The Cellist Premiere
Last Minute Tickets for The Cellist – Royal Opera House with Friday Rush. Finding reasonably priced tickets for the opera and ballet can be a challenge, especially if you are booking at the last minute. Being something of a masochist and with no fear of heights, sometimes I end up sitting in the Slips – […]
Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal – Bluebeard at Sadler’s Wells – Review
Bluebeard. While Listening to a Tape Recording of Béla Bartók’s Opera ‘Duke Bluebeard’s Castle’ If Bartók’s seminal one-act opera ‘Duke Bluebeard’s Castle’ was a horrific insight into the machinations of the Duke, Pina Bausch’s interpretation takes the psychological drama to a new emotional level in her Tanztheater production. Watching the opera, the terrifying story is […]