The 10 best dance shows to book this autumn
Autumn is the time for dance. As the nights draw in, the lure of a flood-lit stage and the impossible elegance of bodies in motion becomes all-but-irresistible.
And this year’s offerings are a feast. Highlights to look forward to include a brand-new staging of English National Ballet’s Nutcracker, the return of Akram Khan’s Giselle – last seen in 2016 – to the London stage and Christopher Wheeldon’s fabulously opulent staging of Alice in Wonderland.
These are the 10 best dance shows to book now
Resurgence
London City Ballet announces its rebirth to the world with a fascinating programme that includes Kenneth MacMillan’s 1972 one-acter Ballade (unseen in Europe for more than 50 years), Ashley Page’s Larina Waltz, and a new piece by Olivier award-winner Arielle Smith.
Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (sadlerswells.com), Sept 11-14
Akram Khan’s Giselle
An instant smash-hit when it launched in 2016, and several shades scarier in its 2019 revival, Khan’s bold rewiring of the 1841 Romantic-Gothic staple for English National Ballet has become a bona fide modern classic.
Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (sadlerswells.com), Sept 18-28
Romeo & Juliet
Northern Ballet’s recent revival of this production (whose sets and costumes were destroyed in floods in 2015) was one of the most exhilarating surprises of the year, and it’s now heading back on the road. Not to be missed.
Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon (northernballet.com), Sept 19-28, then touring
La Fille mal gardée
Frederick Ashton’s effervescent, sun-dappled 1960 masterpiece of romantic comedy makes a very welcome return, and it’s a piece very much in Birmingham Royal Ballet’s DNA – they should do it full justice.
Birmingham Hippodrome (brb.org.uk), Sept 25-28, then touring
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Christopher Wheeldon created this opulent, expertly-scored and magically-staged Lewis Carroll adaptation in 2011, and it is already on its fifth revival – which speaks volumes about how marvellously entertaining it is.
Royal Opera House, London WC2 (rbo.org.uk), Sept 28-July 6
Luna
Birmingham Royal Ballet director Carlos Acosta rounds off his laudable three-part tribute to his company’s adoptive city with a programme in which five female choreographers from around the world draw inspiration from Birmingham’s great female pioneers.
Birmingham Hippodrome (brb.org.uk), until Oct 3-5
Theatre of Dreams
After last spring’s return to form with From England with Love, Israeli-born choreographer-composer Hofesh Shechter – this time, with his main company – dives into the world of dreams. Expect a wild, weird ride.
Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (sadlerswells.com), until Oct 9-12
MaddAddam
Composer Max Richter and the Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer Wayne McGregor turn their attention to MaddAddam, novelist Margaret Atwood’s 2013 conclusion to her garlanded dystopian trilogy. It’s a fascinating proposition.
Royal Opera House, London WC2 (rbo.org.uk), until Nov 14-30
Gigenis
After a series of well-intentioned oddities, the great dancer-choreographer Akram Khan returns to the stage and, you suspect, surer turf in an evening in which he pays tribute to ancient myths, accompanied by seven classical Indian musicals and seven dancers. It could prove very beautiful indeed.
Sadler’s Wells, London EC1 (sadlerswells.com), until Nov 20-24
Nutcracker
At last! While many of us had grown grudgingly fond of English National Ballet’s 2010 Nutcracker – like a broken Christmas-tree decoration you can’t quite bring yourself to jettison – it was never much cop. Step forward ENB boss Aaron S Watkin and Olivier-winner Arielle Smith to stop the rot with an all-new staging.
Mayflower, Southampton (ballet.org.uk), until Nov 28-30, London Coliseum WC2, Dec 12-Jan 12