What a night. English National Ballet celebrated its platinum anniversary with a feast of music, dance and reminiscence. Archive film footage showed key moments in the evolution of the London Festival Ballet (coined to cash in on the post war Festival of Britain at the Festival Hall) from humble beginnings in 1950 to the change of name to English National Ballet and … [Read more...]
Reviews of Ballet in London
If you are planning to visit London to see a ballet in London, then maybe our London ballet reviews section can be of help? Read one of the latest reviews or use the search button to find and view one of our previous reviews of ballet. We use a star rating system on our site.
William Forsythe – A Quiet Evening of Dance
Take the title of choreographer William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance literally. For the first forty-five minutes of this show, the only sound you’ll hear is a sometimes soundtrack of distant birds singing quietly and the dancers breathing. The house lights are left up, you’re visible and there’s no set. It’s all black on black with occasional highlights of grating colour in the form of what looks a lot like coloured rubber gloves. The consequence is the audience is left uncomfortable, exposed physically and emotionally in their familiar Sadler’s seats, tested on an actual appreciation of choreography with no comfort blankets and nowhere to hide.
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The Sleeping Beauty at Curzon Richmond Cinema | Review
This is a leaping, weeping, sleeping beauty that like Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way. The sets are gorgeous, the costumes are tremendous, the music is spine-tingling, the dancing is unmatched, the choreography is superb, the conductor Barry Wordsworth is outstanding and Ross MacGibbon’s direction for the screen catches every nuance of every movement. … [Read more...]
English National Ballet’s Le Corsaire at London Coliseum | Review
A red carpet occasion to celebrate ENB’s 70th Anniversary and a host of stars on stage and in the audience. From my seat I was in touching distance of Darcey Bussell, Fiona Bruce, Sir Ian McKellen, Bruno Tonioli and Bill Nighy to name a few. On stage we were treated to a cornucopia of delights; stunning sets taking us into the luxurious and cruel world of the Ottoman … [Read more...]
English National Ballet: Nutcracker | Review
There can be no better way to banish the General Election / Brexit malaise than to escape into the magical world of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker of 1892 now marvellously recreated for us by the wonderfully refreshing concept and choreography of Toer van Schayk and Wayne Eagling. Designer Peter Farmer’s set costumes and props are both spellbinding and spectacular. Gerry … [Read more...]
The Nutcracker at the Theatre Royal Windsor | Review
I have been fortunate enough to have seen the classic Christmas ballet The Nutcracker on numerous occasions but the performance I just witnessed from The Vienna Festival Ballet Company has absolutely blown me away. Whether you are a fan of the ballet, or you are curious as to whether or not it’s for you I would certainly recommend the VFB Company’s latest adaption … [Read more...]
Live Halloween screening of Northern Ballet’s Dracula | Review
Performed by the UK's Northern Ballet and broadcast live in cinemas across the country, Bram Stoker's Dracula has come to life in a gothic, spectacular performance. The show moves fast paced from scene to scene, leaving little time for contemplation, but that’s alright because every bit of the show is enthralling. Created and choreographed by Northern Ballet’s … [Read more...]
Snow White – Vienna Festival Ballet Company
As the Vienna Festival Ballet Company begin a nationwide tour, I went along to see their version of the classic fairy tale Snow White. The Vienna Festival Ballet proved that a true work of art, can and will past the test of time, the original story was first published in 1813 by the Brothers Grimm. The story of Snow White is one that we are all familiar with, … [Read more...]
Ballet Preljocaj La Fresque at Sadler’s Wells | Review
Premiered in Aix-en-Provence three years ago this work choreographed by the French choreographer, Angelin Preljocaj is presented as a beautiful dream, pleasing to watch. The title, La Fresque, refers to a fresco. This is a watercolour picture painted rapidly onto wet plaster on a wall or ceiling so the colour permeates the plaster as it dries with the painting … [Read more...]
Soweto Gospel Choir: INALA a Zulu Ballet at The Peacock Theatre
There’s the Soweto Gospel Choir dancing and singing in Zulu, a five-piece band lit as shadows against an African sky as ten ballet dancers performing classical steps in bare feet choreographed by the award-winning Mark Baldwin, who’s worked with Ballet Rambert as their Artistic Director and at Sadler’s Wells as resident choreographer. The question is does this mix … [Read more...]