Birmingham Royal Ballet is delighted to announce that internationally renowned Carlos Acosta has been appointed as its new director. He will take up his appointment in January 2020.
‘Highly passionate & beautifully fluid performances’: UNTIL THE LIONS – Roundhouse
There is no denying the powerful choreography is mesmerising to watch, yet Until the Lions lacks a strong plot narrative.
‘Still excites & shocks’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE – Sadler’s Wells
Iconic modern dance favourite Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake makes a welcome return in a freshly re-polished staging. Seeing at least one production by New Adventures each year has made it clear that their quality control is of the very highest order.
A year richer for working alongside talented children
I will remember 2018 for many things, primarily as the year of courage. No, not shown by me but by all the brilliant children I have worked with over the past year on Joseph and Nativity! The Musical among other projects.
NEWS: Sophie Okonedo, Richard Alston, Bunny Christie & Anthony Van Laast feature in New Year’s Honours list
Among the theatre performers and practitioners named in the New Year’s Honours list are actors Sophie Okonedo, Jim Carter and Thandie Newton, along with set and costume designer Bunny Christie and choreographers Anthony Van Laast and Richard Alston.
‘A real festive treat from start to finish’: NUTCRACKER – London Coliseum ★★★★
One of the best-loved ballets, Nutcracker returns to London’s Coliseum and is a real festive treat from start to finish.
Wayne
FROM DOWN UNDER: The Australian Ballet’s Coppélia – Touring
The Australian Ballet continues their cleverly conceived Storytime Ballet series with Coppélia, an ideal first ballet for young audiences.
REVIEW ROUND-UP: Swan Lake at Sadler’s Wells
Matthew Bourne’s classic production of Swan Lake returns to Sadler’s Wells – find out if it still lives up to expectations with LLLC’s review round-up…
‘It has a universal appeal’: POGGLE – Edinburgh ★★★★★
There is real delight for pre-school kids to be had at the Studio of the Festival Theatre this Christmas, as the clever and playful Poggle is revived by Barrowland Ballet.
‘Back with more electricity, punch & swagger than ever before’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE – Sadler’s Wells ★★★★
As one of dance’s most iconic productions, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake returns home to a rapturous reception.
‘Remains a thing of considerable beauty’: CINDERELLA – Edinburgh ★★★★
Scottish Ballet’s Cinderella, back at the Festival Theatre this Christmas, is still a festive treat. Christopher Hampson’s celebrated production of Prokofiev’s ballet, originally seen in New Zealand and first presented in Europe by the company in 2015, has huge reserves of charm and elegance.
‘A real Christmas treat’: GUYS & DOLLS – Sonning
With the definitive MGM film never far from mind, it can be hard to find an original spin to put on Guys & Dolls. Joseph Pitcher’s production doesn’t stray far from the 1955 version but the young cast brings a verve and energy which gives the whole piece a vital boost
The Show People Podcast: Sam Spencer-Lane is wonderful
In this episode of The Show People Podcast, host Andrew Keates is joined by choreographer and former head of dance at the Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts – Sam Spencer-Lane.
‘Provides festivity & magic in abundance’: THE NUTCRACKER – Touring ★★★★
As the festive season steps up a gear, it seems only fitting that The Nutcracker should be required viewing, and the Northern Ballet’s current production provides festivity and magic in abundance.
‘Just experience the production as something elusive & unknowable’: RAMBERT: LIFE IS A DREAM – Touring ★★★
Rambert’s Life is a Dream is a peculiar, poetic piece that suffers from pulling in too many directions at once.
‘Explores our very nature through movement & music’: Circa’s Humans in Toronto
This is not the first time that Circa, the touring, Brisbane-based group led by artistic director Yaron Lifschitz, has staged a show here in Toronto, but it is my first time experiencing one of the company’s productions.
NEWS: Cirque du Soleil’s Avatar-inspired show Toruk – The First Flight has UK debut in 2019
Inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking movie Avatar, Cirque du Soleil’s uniquely different touring show Toruk – The First Flight will make its UK debut at the Manchester Arena from 20-23 June 2019 and London’s O2 Arena from 26-30 June.
‘If you are not invited to the party, hold one yourself’: Spotlight On… Fennikusu Productions founder Hadesa Sonné
Spotlight on writer, producer, actor and Fennikusu Productions founder Hadesa Sonné…
‘Thrilling from start to finish’: TAP DOGS – Peacock Theatre
Dance shows can be a tough sell, especially those that are strictly tap dancing shows. Luckily for them, Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs is far from an ordinary dance show. Full of tricks, energy and spectacle, this show is thrilling and entertaining from start to finish.
‘Constant wonder at the skill in storytelling’: MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE – Touring ★★★★★
It’s 23 years since Mathew Bourne changed the gender of the swans in Swan Lake for his choreography of the ballet but it still stands the test of time.