Ballet Theatre UK: The Nutcracker
Creates a fantasy of world that delights and entertains from start to finish with its fine storytelling, choreography… and a lot of excellent dancing.
Of swans and men: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Most magnificent of all, is Harrison Dowzell as The Swan… Quite unforgettable. Whether in bird form… or as The Stranger at the Act 3 ball
Sasha Waltz & Guests: Beethoven 7
A cloud makes its way towards the audience, soon enveloping us in its misty grip. Through the fog are glimpsed figures, human, but…
Ruination by Lost Dog
Beyond its generous offering of dance, sound and humour, Ruination feels much defined by its extremely lovable cast
Staatsballett Berlin: Giselle
When the assured Riho Sakamoto first stepped out of her home as Giselle, she didn’t so much skip round the stage as fly.
Lucinda Childs Dance Company: Dance
About movement to music and nothing else. There’s no hidden theme, no hidden meaning. It’s even performed in simple white tops and trousers.
Dance On Ensemble & Solistenensemble Kaleidoskop: A Sky Like A Wall
The fascinating collage of scenes and sounds engaged fully, watched over not only by the audience but by the rows of portraits that line the gallery’s walls
Staatsballett Berlin: 2 Chapters Love
“2 Chapters Love may be full of ‘classic’ Eyal but, in many ways, it also feels very much an ode to classical ballet.” Plus Sol Léon’s Stars Like Moths.
Staatsballett Berlin: SAABA & Minus 16
The fourth of Sharon Eyal and partner Gai Behar’s work to be danced by the Staatsballett, SAABA is different. Behar’s choreography feels more dreamy.
Dickensian delights: Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol
The setting may be dreary, but the story is warm, the characters vividly brought to life. Carols, Christmas tunes, fine dance, and a good story.
Michael Keegan-Dolan/Teaċ Daṁsa: NOBODADDY
It’s all a very long way from Keegan-Dolan’s stunning and powerful Swan Lake… Abstract to the point of meaninglessness.