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Okay, hoping this works (to some extent: posts on another thread indicate that the casting links may not be live yet). The thread also indicates some new hirings we may not have been aware of before. We’re excited to announce principal casting for all existing repertoire works returning in the upcoming Season: Akram Khan’s Giselle, Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle, and Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round. Casting for each of these productions is detailed below and on each production page on our website. We can’t wait to share these performances with you! Akram Khan's Giselle 19 – 21 Oct 2023, Palace Theatre Manchester 26 – 28 Oct 2023, Bristol Hippodrome Akram Khan's groundbreaking production returns to Manchester and Bristol for the first time since its inaugural tour in 2016, having astounded audiences across the world. The title role of Giselle will be danced by Lead Principals Fernanda Oliveira and Erina Takahashi, and Junior Soloist Emily Suzuki*. Albrecht will be performed by Lead Principal Aitor Arrieta, First Soloist James Streeter, and Junior Soloist Henry Dowden*. The role of Hilarion will be danced by First Soloist Ken Saruhashi, Soloist Erik Woolhouse, and Junior Soloist Victor Prigent*. Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, will be performed by Lead Principal Emma Hawes*, and First Artists Isabelle Brouwers and Angela Wood*. Daily casting can be viewed online via the links below. *debut in role in this production View casting Learn more Nutcracker 29 Nov – 2 Dec 2023, Mayflower Theatre Southampton 14 Dec 2023 – 7 Jan 2024, London Coliseum Wayne Eagling's festive classic will light up the stage again this winter, touring to the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton before returning to the London Coliseum. Clara/Sugar Plum will be performed by Lead Principals Emma Hawes, Shiori Kase, Sangeun Lee*, Fernanda Oliveira and Erina Takahashi, Guest Artist Laurretta Summerscales, First Soloists Julia Conway and Katja Khaniukova, Soloist Precious Adams*, and Junior Soloists Ivana Bueno and Francesca Velicu. Nephew/Prince will be danced by Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta and Francesco Gabriele Frola, First Soloists Gareth Haw*, Daniel McCormick and Ken Saruhashi, Soloists Fernando Carratalá Coloma, Skyler Martin*, Lorenzo Trossello and Erik Woolhouse, Junior Soloist Vsevolod Maievskyi*, and First Artist Edvinas Jakonis*. The role of the Nutcracker will be portrayed by First Soloists Daniel McCormick and Junor Souza, Soloist Skyler Martin, Junior Soloists Henry Dowden, Noam Durand*, Rentaro Nakaaki and Victor Prigent*, and First Artists Matthew Astley, Miguel Angel Maidana* and Eric Snyder*. Dr Drosselmeyer will be performed by First Soloists Fabian Reimair, Junor Souza and James Streeter, Junior Soloist Henry Dowden, and First Artist Giorgio Garrett. Daily casting can be viewed online via the links below. *debut in role in this production View casting Learn more Mary Skeaping's Giselle 11 – 21 Jan 2024, London Coliseum Mary Skeaping's heartbreaking Romantic masterpiece will return to the London Coliseum for the first time since 2017. The title role of Giselle will be danced by Lead Principals Emma Hawes*, Shiori Kase*, Sangeun Lee*, Fernanda Oliveira and Erina Takahashi, and First Soloist Katja Khaniukova. Albrecht will be performed by Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta* and Francesco Gabriele Frola*, First Soloists Gareth Haw* and Ken Saruhashi, Soloist Fernando Carratalá Coloma*, and Junior Soloist Vsevolod Maievskyi*. Hilarion will be portrayed by First Soloists Fabian Reimair, Junor Souza* and James Streeter, Soloist Erik Woolhouse*, Junior Soloist Henry Dowden*, and First Artist Giorgio Garrett*. Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis, will be danced by First Soloist Alison McWhinney, Soloist Precious Adams*, Junior Soloists Anna Nevzorova* and Emily Suzuki*, and First Artists Jung ah Choi and Angela Wood*. Daily casting can be viewed online via the links below. *debut in role in this production View casting Learn more Swan Lake in-the-round 12 – 23 Jun 2024, Royal Albert Hall Derek Deane's spectacular in-the-round production of the enduring classic returns to the splendour of the Royal Albert Hall in summer 2024. The dual roles of Odette/Odile will be performed by Lead Principals Emma Hawes*, Sangeun Lee* and Fernanda Oliveira, and Guest Artist Laurretta Summerscales. Prince Siegfried will be danced by Lead Principals Aitor Arrieta* and Francesco Gabriele Frola*, First Soloist Gareth Haw*, and Soloist Lorenzo Trossello*. The role of Rothbart will be portrayed by First Soloists Fabian Reimair, Junor Souza and James Streeter. Daily casting can be viewed online via the links below. *debut in role in this production View casting Learn more

As there is a streamed Insight this evening, and performances start next Tuesday (looking forward to that!) I thought I might start a new thread in anticipation. Link to this evening's Insight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWR0nw2uIN0

Looking forward to hearing members’ thoughts on the newly designed BRB Nutcracker which I believe premiers this afternoon. There’s an interesting insight from the Company which includes an interview with John Mcfarlane about the redesigns and the way, over the years, the Company has ‘patched up’ the original costumes and sets. It would be lovely to have a livestream of this iconic production with a follow up dvd/blu-ray. The filmed version of this production from many years back, which features Yoshida and Mukhamedov, is very dark, and hard to get hold of on dvd . It’s well overdue for a new version. Interesting to learn from this insight that the Australian Ballet’s version (which has been filmed) has its own, unique design. https://www.brb.org.uk/stories/zoom-insights-john-macfarlane-and-elaine-garlick-talk-about-the-rebuild-of-the-nutcracker

Just back from seeing Spartacus at my Picturehouse and it was great, despite a technical break-down in act 3- which, thank goodness, sorted itself out eventually. It was delightful to be back in Moscow again and the interviews- with some old footage as well this time- were excellent. Not my favourite ballet but, after such a long hiatus, it somehow suited the mood for me: a bit of over the top, full-on emotional overload.....

Deborah Bull is currently on In Tune on Radio 3 talking about The Nutcracker. I only turned on a while ago, but it sounds as though she may be talking us through the whole thing, more or less. Will presumably be available on BBC Sounds in due course.

English National Ballet Nutcracker National Tour 27 November – 5 January 2020 Liverpool Empire and London Coliseum www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker As part of its 70th Anniversary Season English National Ballet is continuing its Christmas tradition of presenting a Nutcracker production each year since 1950. English National Ballet's Nutcracker returns this festive season with performances at the Liverpool Empire Theatre (27-30 November) and the London Coliseum (11 December-5 January) Principal casting for the performances is announced today and sees three debuts in the roles of Clara and Nephew. Guest artist Brooklyn Mack will debut in the role of Nephew for ENB partnered with Principal Shiori Kase, First Soloist Emma Hawes will debut in the role of Clara alongside First Soloist Aitor Arrieta and Daniel McCormickdebuts as Nephew and will be dancing with Soloist Rina Kanehara. Other pairings in the roles of Clara and Nephew respectively are; Lead Principals Alina Cojocaru and Isaac Hernández, Lead Principals Joseph Caley and Jeffrey Cirio are both partnered with First Soloist Katja Khaniukova, Lead Principal Erina Takahashi will perform with Principal Francesco Gabriele Frola, Lead Principal Fernanda Oliveira and First Soloist James Forbat and First Artist Francesca Velicu with First Soloist Ken Saruhashi. Also announced today are those dancing the role of Nutcracker which sees debuts for Artist of the Company Matthew Astley and First Artist Henry Dowden. Returning to the role of Nutcracker this season are; First Soloists Aitor Arrieta, James Format and Junor Souza, Soloist Skyler Martin, First Artists Daniel McCormick and Erik Woolhouse and Artist of the Company Fernando Carratalá Coloma. Over 100 dancers and musicians bring to life the popular Tchaikovsky score featuring the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Waltz of the Flowers, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. Since its premiere in 2010, this festive family favourite has been seen by over 660,000 people, and continues to attract new audiences, with 70% of 2018's audience members first time attenders at the London Coliseum. To coincide with Nutcracker, English National Ballet will host a range of workshops and events, aimed to provide a gateway into the world of ballet. Activities include on-stage workshops for all ages including adult and youth ballet workshops, arts and craft family workshops and behind-the-scenes talks. The Family Friendly performance ofNutcracker is on Sunday 5 January. Children under 5 may attend this performance and up to two children under 16 can go free with each full paying adult. For more details, see www.ballet.org.uk/whats-on Nutcracker Principal Casting: In the order of Clara, Nephew and Nutcracker Liverpool Wednesday 27 November Shiori Kase, Brooklyn Mack*+, Junor Souza Thursday 28 November (mat) Emma Hawes*, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Thursday 28 November Rina Kanehara, Daniel McCormick*, Erik Woolhouse Friday 29 November Emma Hawes, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Saturday 30 November (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Matthew Astley Saturday 30 November Shiori Kase, Brooklyn Mack, Junor Souza London Wednesday 11 December Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Thursday 12 December Katja Khaniukova, Jeffrey Cirio, Daniel McCormick Friday 13 December Shiori Kase, Brooklyn Mack, Junor Souza Saturday 14 December (mat) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Henry Dowden Saturday 14 December Katja Khaniukova, Joseph Caley, Aitor Arrieta Sunday 15 December (mat) Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Tuesday 17 December (mat) Rina Kanehara, Daniel McCormick, Erik Woolhouse Tuesday 17 December Katja Khaniukova, Joseph Caley, Aitor Arrieta Wednesday 18 December (mat) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Henry Dowden Wednesday 18 December Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Thursday 19 December (mat) Emma Hawes, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Thursday 19 December Katja Khaniukova, Jeffrey Cirio, Daniel McCormick Friday 20 December (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Matthew Astley Friday 20 December Shiori Kase, Brooklyn Mack, Junor Souza Saturday 21 December (mat) Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Saturday 21 December Rina Kanehara, Daniel McCormick, Erik Woolhouse Sunday 22 December (mat) Alina Cojocaru, Isaac Hernández, James Forbat Tuesday 24 December (mat) Alina Cojocaru, Isaac Hernández, James Forbat Thursday 26 December Emma Hawes, Aitor Arrieta, Fernando Carratalá Coloma Friday 27 December (mat) Katja Khaniukova, Jeffrey Cirio, Daniel McCormick Friday 27 December Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Henry Dowden Saturday 28 December (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Matthew Astley Saturday 28 December Alina Cojocaru, Isaac Hernández, James Forbat Sunday 29 December (mat) Shiori Kase, Brooklyn Mack, Junor Souza Monday 30 December (mat) Rina Kanehara, Daniel McCormick, Erik Woolhouse Monday 30 December Katja Khaniukova, Joseph Caley, Aitor Arrieta Tuesday 31 December (mat) Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Thursday 2 January Katja Khaniukova, Jeffrey Cirio, Daniel McCormick Friday 3 January (mat) Alina Cojocaru, Isaac Hernández, James Forbat Saturday 4 January (mat) Francesca Velicu, Ken Saruhashi, Matthew Astley Saturday 4 January Erina Takahashi, Francesco Gabriele Frola, Skyler Martin Sunday 5 January (mat) Fernanda Oliveira, James Forbat, Henry Dowden *Debut in the role with English National Ballet +Guest Artist Please note, casting is subject to change. Please see www.ballet.org.uk for up to date casting. -ENDS- Listings: Nutcracker Liverpool Empire Wednesday 27 - Saturday 30 November 2019 Box Office: 0844 871 3017 or www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker Nutcracker London Coliseum Wednesday 11 December 2019 - Sunday 5 January 2020 Box Office: 020 7845 9300 or www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Notes to Editors About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has played a major role in the growth and history of ballet in the UK. Today, English National Ballet is renowned for taking world-class ballet to the widest possible audience through its national and international tour programme, offsite performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude, its distinguished orchestra English National Ballet Philharmonic, and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice and delivery, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo, English National Ballet has gained new acclaim as it introduces innovative new works to the Company’s repertoire while continuing to honour and reinvigorate traditional ballet. www.ballet.org.uk About Arts Council England Arts Council England is the national development body for arts and culture across England, working to enrich people’s lives. We support a range of activities across the arts, museums and libraries – from theatre to visual art, reading to dance, music to literature, and crafts to collections. Great art and culture inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves and the world around us. In short, it makes life better. Between 2018 and 2022, we will invest £1.45 billion of public money from government and an estimated £860 million from the National Lottery to help create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. www.artscouncil.org.uk

It was good to see the Bolshoi's La Sylphide- a ballet I haven't seen for years, with the most beautiful woodland set from Peter Farmer. We were told that Johann Kobborg was watching this, his production, from a cinema in London. Worth it anyway for Semyon Chudin with his lovely line, impeccable feet and that lopsided smile. Does anyone know what went wrong in the interviews? Anna Balukova (Madge) was being interviewed by Katie Novikova , but with her eyes constantly in the wings and a growing sense of unease, and then she cut the question short rather brusquely, it seemed, and dashed off. A bit disconcerting.

The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia are performing a collection of works across the UK at the moment including La Fille Mal Gardee, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, Giselle, Cinderella, Snow Maiden. I went to see La Fille Mal Gardee at Buxton Opera House tonight and was very satisfied and enjoyed the performance very much. Lise, Colas, and Widow Simone were Elena Svinko, Marcello Pelizzoni, and Pavel Kirchev. It was almost incomparable to the Birmingham Royal Ballet production (Ashton) I saw (for the first time) a couple of months ago at the Lowry Salford. No famous clog dance music, no ribbon promenade, no maypole. However it was full of great top quality dancing and wonderfully played music and had it's own set of highlights. The Widow Simone was extremely good, having more solo work than the the BRB version, Colas and Lise had more 'showy' pas de deux and solo work particularly in Act II and performed them with aplomb. The Esmeralda solo with tambourine is inserted into Lisa's solos in Act I. Then Act II ramped up the effects and bravura from the leads and the corps (coupe jetes, fouettes etc) so the stage and theatre fairly buzzed with lively, joyous, action. Some very nice umbrella work from the corps in the thunderstorm scene. My first trip to Buxton and being in the upper circle I could not see the strange rake of the stage that has been mentioned on this forum. I did think the stage small and saw one of the corps rather flinch and duck when Colas was doing his grand manege, and Lise almost fell into the orchestra pit at the end of a diagonal in one of her solos! Really have to compliment the orchestra they were terrific and got my feet tapping to the spirited music - something I hardly ever do. Yes overall it's not the quite at the level of the major UK companies, but I'd highly recommend this company based on this performance.

This opened last night at the London Coliseum. All comments and discussion here, please. Starter for ten: I was there last night and was singularly unimpressed. I never went back after the first time it was shown here because I didn't like it, and now I remember why. I will write a proper review tomorrow so will hold back further comment until then.

A fuller cast list for tonight's opening performance is now here: https://www.roh.org.uk/events/whm7y Not complete though, as far as I can see - Rose Fairy, for example?

For those of you going to the Royal Albert Hall to see BRB’s Nutcracker, don’t expect to see the same production as you will see in Birmingham. It’s a “special” version designed for the RAH. Still very lovely but quite different - just as the ENB “In the round” Swan Lake is different from the Coliseum production.

Went to a very special Nutcracker last night in Berlin. It was really quite exceptional. Yuria Isaka and Daniil Simkin were the leads. Desperately trying to workout how to embed images in posts and failing miserably. Oh, think I finally suceeded. #

I realize that this a strong proclamation, but I'm going to go ahead and say it: I have spent over half of my life in some capacity or another (dancer, choreographer, director, audience-member) involved with The Nutcracker and watching this production was like seeing it for the first time; I even surprised myself by how in-awe I was. Here's my review Anyone else with opinions about this production?

After reading an article in the NY Times the other night, I felt inspired to share a bit of my story from the perspective of a Chinese American dancer. Does anyone else have thoughts about this topic?

The Bolshoi's season of live cinema transmissions started today with Le Corsaire. Please use this thread to discuss the performances. I have to say, I thought the production looked stunning on screen, and that the dancers were generally framed pretty well - no parts of bodies escaping the frame during the dancing. I was a little surprised to find two dancers being interviewed about the roles of Conrad and Medora and then two completely different dancers performing the roles, though! Oh, and I still covet those beautiful white tutus from the Jardin Anime scene, even more so having seen them up close

Casting for the Royal Albert Hall now announced as follows (Prince/SPF/Clara): December - 28: Cesar Morales, Momoko Hirata, Karla Doorbar 29: Matinee - Brandon Lawrence, Celine Gittens, Arancha Baselga 29: Evening - Tyrone Singleton, Jenna Roberts, Laura Day 30: Matinee - Mathias Dingmann, Miki Mizutani, Karla Doorbar 30: Evening - Brandon Lawrence, Celine Gittens, Arancha Baselga 31: Matinee - Tyrone Singleton, Jenna Roberts, Laura Day 31: Evening - Momoko Hirata, Cesar Morales, Karla Doorbar Some nice casting, but I'm a bit disappointed that London isn't going to get the chance to see the Lawrence/Matthews partnership in this ballet, which is just magical. Ah well, fingers crossed for Sleeping Beauty!

Is it too early to start a Royal Ballet Nutcracker topic? I very much enjoyed the recent Insight: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/watch-live-rehearsals-for-the-nutcracker-with-the-royal-ballet-on-16-november-2017 I like seeing Christopher Saunders coaching: to me he just exudes confidence, energy and a great understanding of the detail and characterisation of the roles. And it's always such a pleasure to see dancers rehearse - Mayara, Tierney, Bea and Nicol in this Insight. There's also some cast changes: http://www.roh.org.uk/news/cast-changes-the-nutcracker-201718 Do hope dancers recover quickly from any injuries. But I think this means over the main Christmas period Anna Rose will be dancing Clara on 20, 23, 28 & 30 December and 1 & 2 January. Do hope she'll have time to enjoy the celebrations.

I've just picked this up via Twitter: BREAKING NEWS: London, Christmas is coming... For the first time ever, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Royal Albert Hall are proud to present The Nutcracker! A new version of our universally-acclaimed, quintessential Christmas ballet will bring the festive season to life on the world’s most famous stage for seven performances from 28 to 31 December 2017 with spectacular new staging, video and projection created especially for this unique production. Featuring choreography by Sir Peter Wright, Vincent Redmon and Lev Ivanov (choreographer of the original 1892 production), The Nutcracker follows young Clara as she is swept away into a fantasy adventure through an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the magical Kingdom of the Sweets. David Bintley, says: “Our wonderful Nutcracker has been an essential part of Christmas in Birmingham for over 25 years, and I am so proud to be part of the team producing a brand new version of our classic production for London audiences. There is nowhere more Christmassy than the Royal Albert Hall, and no other production that so fizzes with festive energy.” The Royal Albert Hall’s specially-adapted version will blend the best of the old and the new, using innovative projections from Olivier and Tony award-winning company 59 Productions (National Theatre’s War Horse, Sydney Opera House VIVID Festival) to bring to life the entrancing, wintry world of The Nutcracker. Tickets on sale Thursday 4 May at 9am. https://www.brb.org.uk/post/announcement-birmingham-royal-ballet-take-christmas-to-london

I cannot find another thread for this but wondered if they have announced Nutcracker casting yet for the London Coli season. The website is a bit frustrating as you can go into Nutcracker but it wants to take you straight to the booking at the Coli and I would like to see casting first if possible for the days I can go. Have I missed a trick from their website? Or perhaps too soon for casting announcements for December etc? Many thanks anyone with any more info

Oo, i know, let's have a trip to London to see a ballet between Christmas and New Year. Oo, yes, we could see the Royal Ballet at the ROH, they're doing Nutcracker, or we could see the ENB at the Coliseum, they're doing...Nutcracker, or we could see the BRB at the Royal Albert Hall, they're doing....Nutcracker. I know Nutcracker is the great cash cow for companies, but with the BRB also in town, surely London only has so many nuts that need cracking, and some of us are over 12....

English National Ballet Song of the Earth & La Sylphide Romeo & Juliet / Akram Khan’s Giselle / Nutcracker National Tour Wednesday 11 October – Saturday 2 December 2017 Performance times and ticket prices vary www.ballet.org.uk Continuing its commitment to taking world-class ballet to audiences across the country, this autumn English National Ballet presents five productions on its national tour. Two works new to English National Ballet’s repertoire, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s masterwork, Song of the Earth and August Bournonville’s La Sylphide recreated by Frank Andersen and Eva Kloborg, will be performed at the Manchester Palace Theatre (11-14 October) and Milton Keynes Theatre (17 – 21 October). First performed in 1965, MacMillan’s choreography for Song of the Earth was different from anything he had previously devised. Featuring three central figures, a Woman, a Man, and a Messenger, this powerful, moving exploration of life, death, and renewal is set to Mahler’s song cycle, Das Lied von der Erde, performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic. These performances of Song of the Earth coincide with the 25th anniversary of MacMillan’s death. Devised by one of the world´s leading producers of Bournonville ballets, Frank Andersen and Eva Kloborg’s faithful version of the 1830s Romantic ballet La Sylphide sees James wake from a dream on the morning of his wedding to Effy to encounter a mysterious sylphide before him, setting off a fateful sequence of events. Song of the Earth and La Sylphide will also be performed at the London Coliseum in January 2018. Winner of the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Dance, Akram Khan’s Giselle comes to Liverpool for the first time, with performances at the Liverpool Empire Theatre (25-28 October). Hailed as “a masterpiece of 21st century dance” (Mail on Sunday), Khan’s Giselle is one of a community of migrant workers cast out of their jobs in a condemned garment factory. Last season over 40,000 people saw Akram Khan’s reimagined Giselle performed on tour. The world’s greatest love story, Rudolf Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet returns this autumn with performances at the Bristol Hippodrome (21-25 November). Featuring inventive and passionate choreography, and set to Prokofiev’s famous score, performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic, these performances mark the 40th anniversary of the production, which was originally created for English National Ballet in 1977 to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee. English National Ballet had its most successful Nutcracker run on record last season, when over 100,000 people came to see the production on tour or at the London Coliseum. This year sees Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker tour to the Mayflower Theatre Southampton (29 November – 2 December) before returning to the London Coliseum, continuing the Company’s tradition of presenting a Nutcracker production each year since 1950. Listings information: Song of the Earth / La Sylphide Manchester Palace Theatre Wednesday 11 October - Saturday14 October 2017 Press night: Wednesday 11 October 2017 For more information, see: www.ballet.org.uk/song-sylphide Song of the Earth / La Sylphide Milton Keynes Theatre Tuesday 17 October - Saturday 21 October 2017 Press night: Tuesday 17 October 2017 For more information, see: www.ballet.org.uk/song-sylphide Akram Khan’s Giselle Liverpool Empire Theatre Wednesday 25 October - Saturday 28 October 2017 Press night: Wednesday 25 October 2017 For more information, see: http://giselle.ballet.org.uk Romeo & Juliet Bristol Hippodrome Tuesday 21 November - Saturday 25th November 2017 Press night: Tuesday 21 November For more information, see: www.ballet.org.uk/romeoandjuliet Nutcracker Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Wednesday 29 November - Saturday 2 December 2017 Press night: Wednesday 29 November 2017 For more information, see: www.ballet.org.uk/nutcracker Booking fees may apply. About English National Ballet English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has played a major role in the growth and history of ballet in the UK. Today, English National Ballet is renowned for taking world-class ballet to the widest possible audience through its national and international tour programme, offsite performances at festivals including Glastonbury and Latitude, its distinguished orchestra English National Ballet Philharmonic, and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice and delivery, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet’s Dance for Parkinson’s. Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo, English National Ballet has gained new acclaim as it introduces innovative new works to the Company’s repertoire while continuing to honour and reinvigorate traditional ballet.

I am lucky enough to find myself in St Petersburg for a few days next month and should be able to make time for a visit to the Mariinsky. I am fine with practicalities (booking through the .ru and not the .com site etc) but would appreciate advice from all the knowledgeable Russian ballet followers here on what would be best to see. Available options during our stay are The Nutcracker in the new Mariinsky II or a programme (details as yet unpublished) called Michel Fokine's ballets in the Mariinsky itself. Casting is not yet available for either. I would happily do both but my partner will want to go to an opera in return for me dragging him to ballet, so I must choose one or the other. My instinct is to go for the Fokine programme, not least because it is in the historic theatre, which I would love to see. Does anyone have any other clues/insight into what I might expect from the Fokine programme or is it safe to presume that since it is the Mariinsky it will be good and interesting whichever ballets they pick? Or am I crazy to pass up an opportunity to see one of the 'Big 3' Tchaikovsky ballets done in its city of origin? As a follow up question, if the Fokine is the better option, where is the best place to sit in the historic theatre? There are still seats available at all levels from what I can see. Thank you in advance for any assistance!

In celebration of Peter Wright's 90th birthday, The Royal Ballet present his 'Nutcracker' for the festive season (opening late November and running through to mid January). I was at one of the dress rehearsals, featuring the debut of Francesca Hayward, as SPF. Here are a few photos: Anna Rose O'Sullivan © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Yasmine Naghdi © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr Francesca Hayward © Dave Morgan. Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr See more... Set from DanceTabs: RB - Nutcracker 2016 Courtesy of DanceTabs / Flickr By kind permission of the Royal Opera House

A couple of interesting things from the Sunday Express review of Peter Schaufuss's Nutcracker - one is the photographs, the other is that apparently this production will be shown at this year's Edinburgh Festival and possibly in London. Hmm...

Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of The Nutcracker begins at Birmingham Hippodrome today, celebrating the 90th birthday of its creator, Sir Peter Wright. If you see it, do let us know your thoughts.