Ballet and Dance Reviews

All ballet reviews

Seen in cinemas: Dutch National Ballet’s Giselle with Olga Smirnova is conceived on a grand scale

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NetherlandsNetherlands Dutch National Ballet’s Giselle: Dancers of Dutch National Ballet, Dutch Ballet Orchestra / Ermanno Florio (conductor). Filmed (directed by Isabelle Julien) at the Dutch National Opera & Ballet. Amsterdam, on 26 and 29.10.2023 and released worldwide in cinemas only from 21.1.2024. (JPr)

Olga Smirnova (Giselle) and Jacopo Tissi (Albrecht) © Alex Gouliaev

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English National Ballet’s must-see Giselle revival will give you a touch of the Wilis

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom English National Ballet’s Giselle: Dancers of English National Ballet, English National Ballet Philharmonic / Gavin Sutherland (principal guest conductor). London Coliseum, London. 11.1.2024. (JPr)

Aitor Arrieta (Albrecht) amd Katja Khaniukova (Giselle) in Act II © Laurent Liotardo

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Alexei Ratmansky reinvigorates and re-choreographs Coppélia for La Scala Ballet

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ItalyItaly Alexei Ratmansky’s Coppélia: Dancers of La Scala Ballet, Orchestra of La Scala, Milan / Paul Connelly (conductor). Broadcast (directed by Stefania Grimaldi) from La Scala, Milan, 17.12.2023. (JPr)

Timofej Andrijashenko (Franz) and Nicoletta Manni (Swanilda) © Brescia e Amisano/Teatro alla Scala

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The Royal Ballet’s cosily familiar The Nutcracker returns to welcome in Christmas yet again

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker: Dancers of The Royal Ballet, The Schola Cantorum of The London Oratory School, London Oratory Junior Choir (director: Charles Cole), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House / Andrew Litton (conductor). Broadcast live (directed by Peter Jones) for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 12.12.2023 and seen at Everyman Chelmsford, Essex, 18.12.2023. (JPr)

Anna Rose O’Sullivan (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Marcelino Sambé (Prince) © Alice Pennefather

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Dancing in a Winter Wonderland: Aljaž and Janette return to celebrate love, kindness, family and Christmas

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United KingdomUnited Kingdom Aljaž and Janette – Dancing in a Winter Wonderland: Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara (co-creators and choreography) and Company (Miranda Wilford, Adrian Hansel [featured singers], Robbie Kmetoni, Faye Huddleston [lead partners], Kiera Brunton, Jack Dargen, Kate Kenrick, George Michaelides, Tony Scott-Obene, Rose Wild [ensemble]), Gareth Walker (show director and choreographer), Coldwell (associate director and assistant chorographer), Matt Howes (musical director), Doug FF Cairns (set and lighting designer), Ryan Howard (screen content). Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, 1.12.2023. (JPr)

Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara © Fiona Whyte for The TCB Group

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