Dance Direct Blog. News, Reviews & Advice About Dance

At the start of the summer Dutch National Ballet and its Junior Company will give a total of nine performances on foreign stages, giving audiences all over the chance to see their work. Continue reading Dutch National Ballet on tour

An evening of stellar performances in celebration of the prolific and dearly-loved director choreographer Gillian Lynne DBE will take place on 2 July at The Gillian Lynne Theatre, Drury Lane in London. A year and a day after Gillian sadly passed away, ‘To Gillie, With Love’ will see stars of the world of dance, theatre, film and TV come together to show their admiration and thanks to this unique and remarkable individual, who helped, guided and inspired so many. Continue reading Gillian Lynne DBE – A Celebration

A new 600-seat theatre has been confirmed to open in King’s Cross, London, from the creators of the Bridge Theatre also residing in the east of the capital. The building is currently under construction and is planned to open for winter 2021, with further details confirmed for the upcoming new theatre, created by the London Theatre Company. Continue reading A new London theatre

This summer, the internationally lauded BalletBoyz made its West End debut with its critically-acclaimed Them/Us, an innovative double bill. It is a brand-new collaboration from the company’s own dancers and the Olivier Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. A co-production with Sadler’s Wells, Them/Us played at Sadler’s Wells in March this year as part of a recently completed UK tour. The production will run until 15 June at the Vaudeville theatre. Continue reading BalletBoyz® presents THEM/US

The UK’s leading South Asian dance organisation celebrates 40 years of innovation and diversity this year, with a year of celebratory events in major London venues from 17 May. 2019 sees the game-changing Akademi marking its 40th anniversary with a series of celebratory events running until April 2020, marking the final year of the directorship of Mira Kaushik OBE. Kaushik has seen it through the many changes in the cultural and political landscape in that time. Continue reading Akademi at 40

This summer, 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 in London. Running from 6-16 June, this spectacle will delight audiences young and old as the company presents the popular performance again. Continue reading English National Ballet’s Cinderella in-the-round

Ballet can be both a nemesis and a go-to for dancers. No matter what your opinion of ballet, it is an integral part of dance, both in terms of history and current technique. Many young dancers begin with ballet classes when they are starting to learn to dance; some gradually drift away from ballet towards other dance styles, or away from dance altogether, however others develop this love for dance by excelling in the discipline further. Continue reading Why do ballet?

Candoco Dance Company is teaming up with fashion site ASOS to deliver a residential dance training intensive for young dancers in summer 2019. With ASOS’ assistance, this partnership will enable Candoco Dance Company to offer dancers aged 18-30 an opportunity to develop their physical skills and creative potential in an inclusive environment, free of charge. Continue reading Candoco Dance Company and ASOS

Tring Park School for the Performing Arts has appointed Antony Dowson, former principal of the Royal Ballet, and Lorraine Jones, a well-known choreographer, who trained at Doreen Bird College, to the roles of joint interim directors of dance. Antony and Lorraine are both currently part of the dance department; Antony is artistic director of the school’s Encore Dance Company and Lorraine is deputy director of dance and head of modern dance. Continue reading News for Tring Park School

English National Ballet recently announced the winner of the 2019 Emerging Dancer Award as Julia Conway. Having performed the Flames of Paris pas de deux with partner Rentaro Nakaaki and Untitled Code, a solo by choreographed by Rambert dancer Miguel Altunaga, Julia Conway was announced as winner on stage at Sadler’s Wells and livestreamed to audiences across the world on Tuesday 7 May by Artistic Director of English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo. Continue reading English National Ballet Announces Winners of Emerging Dancer 2019