It is already April. Where does the time go? This month things are looking exciting and varied in London’s dance scene.
In the classics we’ve got Romeo & Juliet and the eternally great Balanchine at the Royal Opera House, while things are looking a bit cooler over at the Southbank Centre which welcomes music video director Holly Blakey for a double bill, including new works.
For the youngsters, there’s Danish choreographer Mette Ingvartsen’s energetic skatepark installation at Sadler’s Wells East, and an ENB performance of Swan Lake designed specifically for kids.
India is in charge of dance listings at Time Out. She was first shoved into a leotard and ballet shoes aged four, and has loved it ever since. Nowadays India prefers contemporary (or dancing in a sweaty club) to ballet, but still has a soft spot for the odd grand jeté every now and again. India has been reviewing dance all over London since joining Time Out in 2022.
MORE STAGE:
Dance classes in London
Best theatre shows this year
Best theatre shows this month
Best comedy shows this month
Balanchine’s greatest hits are back on at the ROH this Spring as the Royal Ballet will peform three works from the father of American ballet: Serenade (1935), Prodigal Son (1929), and Symphony in C (1947). There’s a reason why Balanchine’s classics are still bangers today: oozing elegance and grace, these plotless, minimal works set to scores by Tschaikovsky, Prokofiev and Bizet are not to be missed.
Where is it? Royal Opera House
The eternally cool Holly Blakey (who has worked with Rosalia, Harry Styles and Florence and the Machine) is presenting a double bill of new works at the Southbank Centre this spring. In Phantom, Blakey explores her own experience of a miscarriage through a ritualistic performance executed by 10 dancers clad in psychedlic costumes – designed by one of the hottest duos in fashion right now, Chopova Lowena. Then, A Wound With Teeth, is the first section of Blakey’s new full-length work Lo which will premiere in 2026. The piece uses Blakey’s time in a mental health facility as a child as a starting off point.
Where is it? Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall
Dancers and skateboarders will come together in this first of its kind production that will see the new Sadler’s Wells East transformed into a skatepark. Not only will this be an electric amalgamation of dance and skating – with the majority of the cast being dancers – but local young skaters were also selected to take part after a series of workshops held in February. Expect lots of energy at this one.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells East
Choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan and first performed in 1966, The Royal Ballet’s much-loved Romeo & Juliet returns to the Royal Opera House this March. Prokofiev’s music is familiarly stirring, the costumes are rich in earthy tones and there’s all sorts of swaggering and swashbuckling from the rival families, but it’s the intimate drama between the central couple that makes this show soar, or not. Leads pairings for this run include Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov, Marianela Nuñez and William Bracewell, and Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales, alongside other ROH principals.
Where is it? Royal Opera House
Classical ballet doesn’t always have to be performed to classical music, FYI. As part of a triple bill of works by William Forsythe, English National Ballet dancers will perform ballet moves to modern pop music by the likes of Jax Jones, Khalid and Barry White. ENB will also perform Herman Schmerman (Quintet), one of the Forsythe’s most intricate creations, not shown in the UK for more than 30 years. The whole show will culminate with Rearray, a new work from the master choreographer.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells
The English National Ballet School's attempting to get the kids into ballet with this production of Swan Lake geared to kids aged 3 upwards. Get the little'uns into dance, then by watching this lover’s ballet about a swan under a curse by a nasty witch.
Where is it? Peacock Theatre
Discover Time Out original video
