Author: Jessica Wilson

On 7 April, stars from the world’s leading ballet companies will come together for Against the Stream, a one-off gala performance accompanied by a live orchestra at the London Coliseum. The star-studded international cast features principal dancers from Paris Opera Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet in a celebration of some of ballet’s greatest pioneers. Continue reading Against the Stream

National Youth Dance Company returns for its seventh year with its new intake of 28 new young dancers, who join the 10 returners from the previous two cohorts. Different to previous years, the newly commissioned work, choreographed by Botis Seva, premieres at DanceEast in Ipswich on 20 April. MADHEAD then tours to Plymouth, Newcastle, Essex, Brighton, Birmingham and for the first time since its inception, closes at Sadler’s Wells on 19 July. Continue reading National Youth Dance Company and Botis Seva

When it comes to Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars, there are plenty of comparisons that can be made between the two shows. Both follow the same format, and both showcase a diverse group of contestants all vying to be crowned the winner. The two shows even share a judge – Bruno Tonioli. He is even more animated on Dancing With The Stars! Former head judge for Strictly Len Goodman has also judged Dancing With The Stars, sometimes booed by the Strictly crowd in pantomime fashion for being the nasty judge (but rarely knocking the crown from Craig Revel Horwood). Continue reading Strictly vs Dancing With The Stars

English National Ballet will perform a new in-the-round version of multi-award-winning choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon’s, Cinderella, at the Royal Albert Hall from 6-16 June. Continue reading English National Ballet’s Cinderella in-the-round

It’s no longer just Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo and a few male character parts in productions who are donning their pointe shoes for the stage. As ballet’s gender roles grow increasingly blurred, think Chase Johnsey and English National Ballet, more men than ever are stepping en pointe on stage and reaching new heights – literally too. Continue reading Men en pointe

Strictly Come Dancing will be waltzing back onto BBC One for its 17th series this autumn as the award-winning show returns with more sparkle, glitz and glamour than ever. The professional dancer line up is now confirmed, with the following dancers returning to the Strictly ballroom. Continue reading Strictly’s professional dancers confirmed

Wayne McGregor CBE, Artistic Director of Studio Wayne McGregor and Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet, has been named as the new Vice President of Elmhurst Ballet School. The appointment marks the commencement of an exciting new partnership between the school and Studio Wayne McGregor, and he is the latest to join dance luminaries Carlos Acosta CBE, Maina Gielgud AO, Dame Merle Park DBE and Sir Peter Wright CBE as vice presidents of the school. Continue reading Wayne McGregor appointed vice president of Elmhurst Ballet School

Lesley Joseph will join the new cast for the UK & Ireland Tour of Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s musical comedy, CALENDAR GIRLS, based on the true story, the film and the award-winning play. Lesley will play Jessie from 23 April in Southend, until 10 August in Eastbourne. Continue reading Lesley Joseph joins the new cast of Calendar Girls

Ivan Putrov was born in Kyiv, Ukraine to a ballet family. He trained at The Kyiv State Choreographic Institute and at The Royal Ballet School. Upon graduation Sir Anthony Dowell invited him to join the Company, where he became a principal after three seasons. Continue reading Ivan Putrov’s Against the Stream

Northern Ballet will make its live cinema debut with David Nixon OBE’s Dracula, streamed to cinemas from the newly redeveloped Leeds Playhouse on Halloween this year. Northern Ballet has also announced that Cathy Marston’s Victoria will be screened in cinemas on 25 June, following the ballet’s world première tour, a huge coup for audiences. Both productions will be available to view in cinemas throughout the UK, and this marks Northern Ballet’s first venture into cinema with full-length productions. Continue reading Northern Ballet to go live on the silver screen