Francesca Velicu

Review: ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET - CARMEN, Sadler's Wells
by Matthew Paluch - Mar 28, 2024

Inger's Carmen is successful in two key ways: firstly it tells the existing narrative of Carmen incredibly clearly, secondly it actually does so with “new resonance' - who'd have thunk it.

BWW Review: A CLASSICAL GALA, Royal Albert Hall
by Aliya Al-Hassan - May 23, 2022

A leading promoter and producer of opera, ballet and classical music for the last 50 years, the fact that Raymond Gubbay CBE is not a household name is baffling. For those who are in the know, he has been a tireless champion of the arts and has brought trailblazing innovation to many of his productions.

BWW Review: NUTCRACKER, London Coliseum
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Dec 17, 2021

Last year's festive period didn’t feel like Christmas in so many ways, especially for those who return year after year to see the English National Ballet’s production of Nutcracker. The charming adventures of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker follow their journey through fantasy lands to defeat the evil Mouse King and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom Of The Sweets. The show has a perennial appeal, but this year’s production appears to have lost some of its sparkle.

BWW Review: AKRAM KHAN'S CREATURE, Sadler's Wells
by Vikki Jane Vile - Sep 24, 2021

​Akram Khan’s third work for English National Ballet finally debuted after numerous COVID-related false starts to a vocal Sadler’s Wells audience this week.

BWW Review: REUNION - ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET at Sadler's Wells
by Vikki Jane Vile - May 18, 2021

Before we get to the main business of the dancing, let’s focus on what tonight is really all about: the moment the lights go down and there is an announcement, “Welcome to this performance of Reunion by English National Ballet”, and followed by that unique sound of applause and cheering from a socially distanced audience that lasts nearly a minute. If you didn’t already have a lump in your throat from the sight of a velvet curtain and an overpriced glass of wine in a plastic cup, you will now. 

BWW Review: ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY GALA, London Coliseum
by Vikki Jane Vile - Jan 19, 2020

Galas are peculiar beasts. In attempting to please everyone, you sometimes please no one at all, but fortunately, for this nostalgic run through the rich history of English National Ballet, no one was disappointed by the varied and often emotive selection of greatest hits.

BWW Review: NUTCRACKER, London Coliseum
by Aliya Al-Hassan - Dec 12, 2019

For many, it simply cannot be Christmas without Nutcracker. The enduring story of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker is one to soften the hardest of hearts. The pair defeat the evil Mouse King and his army and journey to the Kingdom Of The Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy for a magical adventure. English National Ballet present another Christmas revival of the Wayne Eagling version which both enchants and charms.

BWW Review: EMERGING DANCER 2019, Sadler's Wells
by Vikki Jane Vile - May 10, 2019

Now in its 10th year, English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer competition returned to Sadler's Wells on 7 May 7 with six finalists, all members of ENB's corps de ballet, competing for the title.

BWW Review: ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET - SHE PERSISTED, Sadler's Wells
by Vikki Jane Vile - Apr 6, 2019

Three years ago, English National Ballet presented an evening of work all by female choreographers, She Said. It was an uneven programme but a brave artistic choice, and those courageous female voices are finally fully realised in the sequel, She Persisted.

BWW Review: EMERGING DANCER 2018, London Coliseum
by Vikki Jane Vile - Jun 13, 2018

English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer Award is now in its ninth year. It's an invaluable resource to balletomanes and dance critics, allowing the opportunity to focus on the rising stars, to put faces to names and glimpse their vibrant personalities for a unique evening that highlights the depth of talent within the company.