End of the Year and a Dance Hope for 2025

Some thoughts and hopes around dance publicity and programme notes [01 Jan 25]

Royal Ballet in Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella

★★✰✰✰   This year, the Royal Ballet has revived Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella as its Christmas ballet. When it’s good, it’s very good, but it really ought to be revised rather than revived. [30 Dec 24]

Protein Dance in The Little Prince

★★★✰✰   This years Christmas family show at The Place in London is based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's fantastical book about an extraterrestrial. It's quite a surreal ride... [22 Dec 24]

English National Ballet in the Nutcracker

★★★✰✰   English National Ballet has just premiered its new Nutcracker with steps by Arielle Smith & director Aaron S. Watkin. Pacy, looks good, but needs a better transformation scene. [13 Dec 24]

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

★★★★✰   Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures is reviving & touring his groundbreaking male-oriented Swan Lake - first premiered 29 years ago. Is it still an iconic work? Absolutely... [12 Dec 24]

Scottish Ballet in The Nutcracker

★★★✰✰   SB just unveiled their new take on The Nutcracker using the choreographic input of many in the company. And that input really delivers unexpected vibrancy to a Christmas classic. [08 Dec 24]

Michael Keegan-Dolan / Teaċ Daṁsa in Nobodaddy

★★★★✰   Michael Keegan-Dolan / Teaċ Daṁsa are back at Sadler's Wells with their latest work: Nobodaddy - an ode to the peacemakers and the bringers of good things. WTF... [28 Nov 24]

Matthew Bourne & Co on creating his ground-breaking Swan Lake in 1995

Matthew Bourne, Adam Cooper and others recall creating the trailblazing Swan Lake production back in 1995 - by Rachel Cooke for The Observer. [26 Nov 24]

Birmingham Royal Ballet in The Nutcracker

★★★★✰   Birmingham Royal Ballet has just opened its home theatre Nutcracker season. It's more than a good'un & has been for well over 30 years now. [24 Nov 24]

Akram Khan's GIGENIS

★★★✰✰   Akram Khan's GIGENIS features a sparkling team of Indian classical dancers & musicians. Cracking ingredients if dramatically it's a hard read. [21 Nov 24]