Isaac Hernandez

Just under a year ago, English National Ballet debuted one of the first post-COVID programmes of new work entitled Reunion. It was a delight to be back in the theatre even if it was socially distanced and we were all masked up and tested within an inch of our lives, as a result it was lovely but sanitised (literally).

SBCC Theatre Arts Department presents a student showcase of Christopher Durang plays, affectionately called LAUGHING WITH DURANG, November 10-20, 2021 in the Jurkowitz Theatre, directed by Matt Talbott.

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. 

There were few greater joys in dance in 2019 than English National Ballet's Cinderella-in-the-round, which played to full auditoriums for 10 days last summer in London. After recent events, it already feels like a lifetime ago, so it's a particular treat to relive it now, as the last of their series of Watch Parties.

The next lockdown treat courtesy of English National Ballet comes in the form of Derek Deane's Swan Lake. This production last ran over the 2018/19 Winter season with this particular performance seeing Principals Jurgita Dronina and Isaac Hernandez in the leading roles.

Swapping the Coliseum for the vastness of the unique space at London's Royal Albert Hall, English National Ballet's Summer blockbuster is billed as their 'biggest production to date'. Christopher Wheeldon's Cinderella was first created for Dutch National Ballet in 2012 and first seen in the UK in 2015, now a restaged version made especially for the distinctive in-the-round space sees it meet new demands.

West Side Story: Staging 'America' in a fresh production at Dos Pueblos High School

Great Comet Broadway alum and underground accordion rock chanteuse Mary Knapp a.k.a. Toot Sweet released her third studio album DISCO ECLIPSE on February 1. The record reflects Knapp's experience of the past two years as a Brooklyn musician jumping headfirst into a hit Broadway show, sustaining an injury on the job and facing a paranoid convalescent comedown. Several of the tracks on the album make their official music video debut in Knapp's surreal musical comedy web series, “Toot Sweet's Variety Show,” which Knapp wrote, co-directed, co-edited, produced, and self-released alongside the album. Featured on Bust Magazine in January, the series which tells the story of a musician's circuitous journey to success.

It can be a rarity, but every so often, perhaps once a year if you're lucky, you stumble across a work so sublime it leaves you a little stumped as to how to describe it. Unfortunate when you need to review it, however. English National Ballet's Lest We Forget first opened in 2014, marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the first World War. Just two years into Tamara Rojo's tenure as Artistic Director, it was a bold statement about where the company was heading. Four years later it sits proudly in their repertoire, a modern masterpiece to absorb, devour and shed a tear.

Returning to Bristol in its 40th anniversary year, Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo & Juliet will be performed by English National Ballet at the Bristol Hippodrome (21-25 November) following critically acclaimed performances in London. Scroll down for a look at the dancers in action!

Returning to Bristol in its 40th anniversary year, Rudolf Nureyev's Romeo & Juliet will be performed by English National Ballet at the Bristol Hippodrome (21-25 November) following critically acclaimed performances in London. Scroll down for a look at the dancers in action!

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), the international competition that gives accomplished young dancers the chance to vie for coveted scholarships and company contracts, held the 2017 Final Rounds at the Koch Theater in Lincoln Center on Wednesday, April 12th. On Thursday, April 13th, the annual “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” showcased some of this year's winners in Act I and offered stellar performances in Act II by an impressive roster of professionals. Then on Friday, April 14th, a tribute to Julio Bocca marked the occasion of his 50th birthday as part of YAGP's “Legends in Dance” series.

As part of its 'Legends in Dance' series - and in celebration of Julio Bocca's 50th Birthday - YAGP will pay special tribute to the legendary Argentinian ballet dancer.

World's largest student ballet scholarship audition - YOUTH AMERICA GRAND PRIX – returns to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center to host its 2017 finals week in New York City.

London's annual 'Russian Ballet Icons' Gala, first held in 2006, is now firmly established as a highlight of the international ballet calendar. BWW got an exclusive look!

London's annual 'Russian Ballet Icons' Gala, first held in 2006, is now firmly established as a highlight of the international ballet calendar. Every year a dazzling programme pays tribute to the wonderful traditions of the Russian ballet school and its legendary soloists who have been inspiring dancers and ballet lovers since the early nineteenth century.

The Russian Ballet Icons Gala 2017 'In the Steps of the Ballets Russes' will be held on Sunday 12 March, 2017 at London Coliseum to celebrate the glittering legacy of the legendary Ballets Russes.

English National Ballet are undoubtedly a company in need or a decent break. Having thrilled audiences with a new take on Giselle from Akram Khan back in November, a full run of Nutcracker over the festive period, they now embark on over a dozen performances of Mary Skeaping's Giselle before they can take a well earned breather. It makes for a pleasing compare and contrast to Khan's contemporary offering.

London has had to bide its time in waiting for the premiere of Akram Khan's Giselle. With it's first warmly received performance back in Manchester in September, fans have had to be patient but this captivating take on the romantic classic is more than worth the wait.

Good news, excitement and high energy were in abundance at Atlanta Ballet's 86th annual meeting, recently held at the Northern Trust Wealth Management offices, which officially brought the 2016 fiscal year and 2015-16 performance season to a close. Under the leadership of President and CEO Arturo Jacobus, the organization completed the season debt free and with a balanced operating budget.