Matthew Ball News

This film adaptation of Shakespeare’s masterpiece takes legendary Royal Ballet choreographer Kenneth MacMillan’s 1965 audience favorite out of the theater and into the streets of a cinematic Verona, offering a passionate reimagining of this timeless love story.

This week the Royal Opera House has announced in partnership with The Luna Drive In Cinema, broadcasts of four Royal Opera House favourites at iconic drive-in cinema locations around the country.

The third installment of Live from Covent Garden is the first to feature two ballet performances instead of one, and all the stronger for it. The result is a more rounded experience for arts fans and the choice of pas de deux more satisfying than those seen before. 

Back in the mists of time, (which was in fact only February) Covent Garden's Royal Opera House screened Dances at a Gathering / The Cellist to cinemas across the world. Having seen this beautifully moving production then, it was thrilling to see The Cellist repeated on the Royal Opera House's YouTube channel, accessible to millions across the globe.

Covent Garden's Royal Opera House continues its successful series of live screenings to over 1000 cinemas across the world. Dances at a Gathering / The Cellist is a chance to see two incredibly different ballets in one evening; both beautifully moving in their own ways.

The first mixed programme of 2020 from the Royal Ballet sees Cathy Marston's much anticipated and arguably long overdue first work for the main stage at Covent Garden. Renowned for her lucid and atmospheric storytelling, most recently in The Suit (Ballet Black) and Victoria (Northern Ballet), she now turns her attention to an unconventional but heartfelt love story. 

​​​​​​​The first performance of Matthew Bourne's contemporary Swan Lake was performed at the Sadler's Wells Theater, London, in 1995. It has endured twenty-five years with the staying power of a new classic -- for very good reason. Bourne has reinvented the swans from maidens who have been turned into beautiful swans by an evil sorcerer, to male swans, summoned by the dreams and desires of a pampered, regimented prince, no sorcerer in sight. Much has been made of this and the homoerotic overtones that appear at times; however, there is much more to it than that as a piece of theater. It is a psychological drama which explores, among other things, celebrity and Royalty in today's world.

John Cranko's Onegin was last performed by the Royal Ballet in 2015. Now five years later, there is a new wave of rising stars who are keen to showcase their take on the great dramatic classical roles on offer, and how palpably Onegin is a ballet that needs those stars. With only four key characters, the corps are on hand to fill the lighter moments but all eyes are on the romantic entanglement at the centre of the story.  

The Royal Opera House is on a mission to show that ballet and opera are accessible to everyone. As part of their live cinema season, last night saw Tchaikovsky's beautiful interpretation of fairytale, The Sleeping Beauty, broadcast live across the world.

New York City Center today announced casting for Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Following runs in Los Angeles and Washington D.C., Bourne's passionate and contemporary Swan Lake will play New York City Center January 30 - February 9, 2020. Los Angeles Times recently raved, 'Bourne's dance-drama will make you laugh, break your heart and dazzle you.'

A stalwart of the classical repertoire, there's much to admire in The Sleeping Beauty; glittering, colourful costumes, enchanting storytelling and opportunities for the whole company to shine. Petipa's production was first seen in 1946 to reopen the Opera House after World War II, alternative versions have been offered up over the years, but this is the one to have stood the test of time, subject to only minor updates. 

The annual BALLET ICONS GALA, presented by Ensemble Productions, celebrates its 15th anniversary at the Coliseum on January 26th 2020 with a thrilling programme of world class ballet.

Saturday, July 6, 2019 The tortuous true story of Mayerling was first set to music composed by Franz Liszt, by Kenneth MacMillan, in 1978; a giant Choreographer and Innovator in the world of Ballet. MacMillan's Mayerling is the forboding story of the 1889 Murder/Suicide of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth's Syphilitic and addicted son, Prince Rudolf, and his teenage lover, Mary Vetsera. The Royal Ballet, which has not performed in Los Angeles in 24 years, has stepped out on a limb to present this. This is not your usual Ballet Company fare. Contrary to the usual fluffy story about love conquers all, this is not that in the least. We find flawed and even demented characters pouring their hearts out, in the name of love and adoration.

Check out photos for PTP/NYC's (Potomac Theatre Project) 33rd repertory season, running through August 4 at The Atlantic Stage 2 (330 West 16 St.).

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, officially opens its 33rd repertory season tonight. Performances continue through August 4 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street.

PTPNYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, presents its 33rd repertory season, its 13th consecutive in New York City. Previews begin tonight for a July 16 opening, running through August 4 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street.

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, proudly presents its 33rd repertory season, its 13th consecutive in New York City, running July 9 - August 4, 2019 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

PTP/NYC (Potomac Theatre Project), in association with Middlebury College, presents its 33rd repertory season, its 13th consecutive in New York City, running July 9 - August 4, 2019 in a limited Off-Broadway engagement at The Atlantic Stage 2, located at 330 West 16th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Audiences across the USA can catch The Royal Ballet's critically acclaimed Romeo and Juliet from The Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London at their local movie theater from July 2 (varying dates across markets), which closes the magnificent 2018/19 cinema season.

A mixed bill of true contrasts is served up by the Royal Ballet for the last run of performances of the 18/19 season. From the tempestuous Firebird set to Igor Stravinsky's seminal score, Ashton's quaint and quietly heartbreaking A Month in the Country, to the bold and technically exposing masterclass of Balanchine's Symphony in C.