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 Cornelius conducts the English National Ballet Philharmonic with verve and panache. This Nutcracker has something for everyone … [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 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 of this family favourite. The re-staging by renowned choreographer Emily Hufton gave what I always saw as the perfect Christmas … [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 visionary artistic director, David Nixon OBE, who has also designed the stunning costumes, this chilling, superbly performed … [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, most of us have seen it presented as a pantomime and/or an animated film. But seeing this classic fairy tale come to life in the … [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 becoming an integral part of the building. The narrative to this dance work is flimsy based on folklore that is Chinese in origin … [Read more...]