Malevo, created by director, choreographer, and dancer, Matías Jaime, is an all-male dance troupe that has appeared on America’s Got Talent and Cirque du Soleil, and has residency in Disneyland Japan. Malevo performs its take on the Argentine Malambo, a traditional dance handed down from older Argentinian Gauchos (South American Cowboys). The 90 minute programme … More MALEVO – REVIEW – PEACOCK THEATRE
South African dance company Via Katlehong made their Sadler’s Wells debut in incredible fashion with Via Injabulo. In collaboration with Dance Umbrella, Via Katlehong partnered with two choreographers to create a two-part show that is powerful, thought-provoking, and awe-inspiring. Via Katlehong Dance Company was formed in 1992 by young street dancers living in the South African Township of Katlehong. The company … More VIA INJABULO – REVIEW – SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE
A stunningly lavish production, the English National Ballet brings Cinderella in-the-round to the Royal Albert Hall. The scenery relied heavily on projections (designed by Daniel Brodie), but these were so beautifully done, transforming the space into gardens, palaces, ballrooms, kitchens and magical worlds with such precision and wonder. Drapes fall from the ceiling and are scooped into … More CINDERELLA IN THE ROUND – REVIEW – ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Storytelling at its finest; Northern Ballet’s version of The Great Gatsby is inspired. A true ensemble piece with strong storytelling and characterisation, there are no background characters here, with each personality shining through in solos to duets and group scenes. The story is familiar to many, taken from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s modern classic The Great … More THE GREAT GATSBY – REVIEW – SADLERS WELLS
Nederlands Dans Theater’s NDT 1 programme consists of 3 pieces: La Ruta, Gods and Dogs, and Figures in Extinction [1.0]. Gabriela Carrizo’s La Ruta I don’t even know where to begin! A road with a bus stop visited by a range of dream-like characters, each more gruesome and bizarre, “bleeding through the cracks of a … More NDT 1 – REVIEW – SADLERS WELLS
Jungle Book reimagined is set in the future, where the impact of climate change floods has humans leaving the cities for higher ground. Mowgli, a climate refugee, is lost to the waters and saved by the animals who have now claimed the city, the human concrete jungle, as their own. A hunter is killing off … More JUNGLE BOOK REIMAGINED – REVIEW – SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE
Creature takes inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, focusing on the essence of the Monster’s plight: loneliness, exclusion, and her warning against abandoning what you have created. Creature starts where Frankenstein ends. Creature is in an arctic research station, the subject of experimentation to test endurance and adaption for future missions: colonising off earth. We follow his … More CREATURE – REVIEW – SADLER’S WELLS THEATRE
The principal dancer of the New York City Ballet, Tiler Peck brings a varied and compelling programme, Turn It Out to Sadlers Wells. The programme consists of four pieces, all with their own unique style. Each piece is worth watching at least twice to fully appreciate the intricacies, musicality, and skill of the dancers. Opening … More TURN IT OUT WITH TILER PECK & FRIENDS – REVIEW – SADLERS WELLS
Ballet Black: Pioneers is split into two pieces, Then and Now (2020) and Nina: By Whatever Means. The first piece, Then and Now (2020) is storytelling through words, music and dance. The combination of poetry by Adrienne Rich read by Hafsah Bashir, Natasha Gordon, and Michael Shaeffer, and the violin solo of Daniel Pioro with … More BALLET BLACK: PIONEERS – REVIEW – BARBICAN
A simple open, bare stage greets the audience, Dada Masilo enters the stage, seemingly in the middle of a dance. It’s powerful, energetic, and sharp in movement. Ann Masina, the stunning vocalist then enters, greeting Masilo and moving to join the other musicians. The back of the stage changes to display the projection of a … More DADA MASILO’S THE SACRIFICE – REVIEW – SADLERS WELLS
South Bank Royal Festival Hall is a space I usually associate with classical music, full choirs, and orchestras. This is the first dance piece I have seen in the space. The staging is curiously bare to begin with. The stage is black, and a full light set up – house lights included – remain for … More REVIEW – COWPUNCHER MY ASS – SOUTHBANK CENTRE
I first saw the Birmingham Royal Ballet performing The Nutcracker at the Royal Albert Hall 4 years ago. I was also able to meet the Sugarplum Fairy (part of a hospitality package) and it was a magical experience. Returning, post-pandemic, I can confirm it is just as magical as I remembered – if not more … More REVIEW – THE NUTCRACKER – ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Rain, thunder and woodland sounds effects greet the audience as we take our seats. The curtain is a play on a classic storybook, and uses projections to explain the story, inviting the audience into the fairy-tale. Classic gothic font completes the setting. If Disney is your blueprint, there may be some surprises in store. Prepare … More REVIEW – MATTHEW BOURNE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY – SADLERS WELLS
Emotions run rife in this layered piece of apocalyptic dance-theatre by Rhiannon Faith Company that explores the breakdown of a coastal town in the aftermath of state neglect. A combination of writhing choreography, a claustrophobic tidal setting, and heartfelt emotional dialogue creates a curious blend of speculation and empathy that is raw, intriguing, and at … More REVIEW – DROWNTOWN – THE PLACE
Ballo Arthur Pita have returned to Sadler’s Wells with a fresh and twisted new show for all the family to enjoy — and wince at. Ten Sorry Tales is a gleefully gruesome treat for those with a taste for the macabre, and does exactly what it says on the tin, delivering a series of strange … More REVIEW – TEN SORRY TALES – SADLERS WELLS
The South African Road Trip’s ‘Good Hope’ heads to London for an exuberant and entertaining musical experience, celebrating traditional South African culture. The Good Hope ensemble is led by eight men of the Khayelitsha United Mambazo Choir and four renowned female Xhosa singers. They are accompanied by two imposing South-African musicians. The performers who hail from … More REVIEW – SOUTH AFRICAN ROAD TRIP’S GOOD HOPE – PEACOCK THEATRE
A stunning spectacle: sizzling, sequinned sensation! The music, the dancing, the singing – the costumes! I absolutely adored this show. German Cornejo returns with his superb dance company, including his long-term dance partner and collaborator Gisela Galeassi. Accompanied by two sensational singers and seven musicians playing the great tango composer Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Nuevo Tango,’ these … More REVIEW – TANGO AFTER DARK – PEACOCK THEATRE
Groove is a celebration of queer culture through the lens of dance. One of the rooms of Oxford House in Bethnal Green has been transformed into a pseudo club in which the six actors performed a range of numbers. There are some really quite beautiful and tender moments within the show. One in particular is … More REVIEW – GROOVE – OXFORD HOUSE
To celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall, Sir Matthew Bourne’s dance company New Adventures stage The Car Man – and it’s also their Royal Albert Hall debut as a company. Bourne is well known for his reimaginings of ballet and opera, such as an all-male Swan Lake and a very sweet … More REVIEW – THE CAR MAN – ROYAL ALBERT HALL
