Preljocaj's new ballet "Les Nuits“ had been commissioned by Marseille, Cultural Capital of Europe in 2013 and the Los Angeles Music Center. “Steamy, slinky, sexy” is what Dance Magazine had to say about the new piece which is one of the rare full length ballets to come into the repertoire, already touring the world.

Wrapped up in his typical choreographic language – a mixture of classical and contemporary movements infused with intense physicality and emotion – Preljocaj uses the famous collection of tales which once saved a princess her head to explore the magic world of the orient, its sensuality and eroticism. All twelve women on stage incorporate aspects of Sheherazade while the six men demonstrate various aspects of macho behaviour.

The ballet opens with a Turkish bath-like tableau, which reminds us of Ingre's famous painting "La Grande Odalisque” to an ambient sound track created by Natasha Atlas and Samy Bishai, 79D. The Belgian born Atlas, once celebrated for her use of cutting-edge electronic beats with Arabic melodies and instrumentation, teamed up with her current partner, Egyptian born violinist, composer and orchestrator Samy Bishai, to create a thoroughly atmospheric track. Her reworking of the James Brown classic "It's a Man's Man's World" is an absolute highlight. The alluring costumes have been created by couturier Azzedine Alaia.

Preljocaj uses the famous collection of tales of Sheherazade to explore the magic world of the orient, its sensuality and eroticism.

Les Nuits - Angelin Preljocaj

Step into the gripping world of 'Creature', a contemporary dance film by renowned choreographer Akram Khan (Giselle) in collaboration with the English National Ballet. Inspired by 'Frankenstein' and 'Woyzeck', it's a raw tale of an outsider's struggle for belonging.

The profound, and at times disturbing, story of ''Creature'' unfolds within the icy walls of an abandoned Arctic research station. Unknowingly drafted into a military experiment, Creature (Jeffrey Cirio) undergoes rigorous testing by a zealous doctor who pushes Creature to the limits of his mental and physical ability. Amid his cruel reality, Creature finds solace and love in the kind and compassionate cleaner, Marie (Erina Takahashi). When the relentless Major's fixation with Marie shatters the fragile balance, Creature is plunged into a heart-wrenching struggle for escape and survival. 

This vividly cinematic film merges Akram Khan's evocative choreography and Asif Kapadia's visionary direction to create an emotionally charged film. ''Creature'' explores yearning, power, and the resilience of human connections. Experience this intense and compelling narrative brought to life by the English National Ballet.

Step into the gripping world of 'Creature', a contemporary dance film by renowned choreographer Akram Khan (Giselle) in collaboration with the English National Ballet. 

Creature

Angelin Preljocaj's dance piece, 'Annunciation,' artfully portrays the profound moment when the Virgin Mary learns she is carrying the Messiah.  

Preljocaj's innovative choreography focuses on an intimate encounter between Mary and the Archangel Gabriel, set against a minimal soundtrack of laughing children, religious choirs, and harsh electric static. This sensual piece explores the symbolic complexities of the Annunciation, a key religious event, focusing on Mary's inner world and the disruption caused by immaculate conception.  This dance piece goes beyond traditional religious representations, creating a visceral experience of the very act of conception.  

Angelin Preljocaj's dance piece, 'Annunciation,' artfully portrays the profound moment when the Virgin Mary learns she is carrying the Messiah. 

Annonciation

One of the first commissioned projects from Ballet Unleashed includes a new creation by internationally renowned choreographer Cathy Marston. In response to an emerging landscape for current artists, Marston’s new choreographic work Switchback offers
a physical narrative portraying a dancer’s quest to chase their dreams. 

In Marstons’ words, this is a coming of age story about a young adult who leaves their home in order to chase their dream. The film follows their story as they set out on a quest to leave what is comfortable and embark on the unknown. Their story is echoed through the stories of other characters on the same journey, taking risks, getting lost and facing challenges to reach their goal. 

By drawing from her personal experiences and that of collaborating artists, this dance film will feature site-specific solos and duets, performed by six dancers from locations all over the world. The piece will be co-directed with Director/Producer Lauren Finerman.

In response to an emerging landscape for current artists, Cathy Marston’s new choreographic work Switchback offers a physical narrative portraying a dancer’s quest to chase their dreams.

Switchback

The Royal Ballet presents Wayne McGregor’s three-part ballet inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy. 

Travel through Dante’s 14th-century vision of Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise accompanied by an original score from composer/conductor Thomas Adès. With a new narrative arc centered around a young woman, Beatrice, Dante’s extraordinary vision unfolds in a spectacular show of movement, sound, space, and light. 

The Royal Ballet presents The Dante Project, Wayne McGregor’s three-part ballet inspired by Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Watch now.

The Dante Project

Choreographer Angelin Preljocaj explores the power of myths in this captivating piece for Ballet Preljocaj and the Opera National de Bordeaux.

In Mythologies, Angelin Preljocaj explores contemporary rituals, along with the founding myths that shape our collective imagination. Preljocaj uses ideals and beliefs to reveal what is lying within the folds of our existence, creating a dynamic dialogue between ancient and modern mythologies. 

Set to an original score created by Thomas Bangalter, formerly of Daft Punk, this piece springs to life with dynamic energy and thought-provoking themes. 


Choreographer Angelin Preljocaj explores the power of myths in this captivating piece for Ballet Preljocaj and the Opera National de Bordeaux.

Mythologies

The Tides is a short ballet piece that captures the very essence of water.  Performed by Pointeworks artists Sophie Williams and Valentin Batista, the dance is set to an expressive score by Adrian Berenguer, this dance short showcases the unique emotional depth of choreographer Leiland Charles.  

This short ballet piece, performed by Pointeworks artists Sophie Williams and Valentin Batista, explores very essence of water. 

The Tides

A brilliant double bill from The Royal Ballet featuring Cathy Marston’s The Cellist, and a joyful revival of Jerome Robbins’ 1972 dance showcase, Dances at The Gathering.  

The Cellist is inspired by the moving true story of cello superstar Jacqueline du Pré, whose career was suddenly cut short by her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Choreographer Cathy Marston delicately weaves du Pre’s passionate story into a piece that has been hailed as a ‘joyfully giddy tribute’ (The Guardian). In Marston’s masterful interpretation, du Pré’s cello ( Marcelino Sambé) comes to life as steady dance partner and a faithful first love, even as du Pré (Lauren Cuthbertson) falls madly in love with conductor Daniel Barenboim (Matthew Ball).

The ultimate piano solo ballet, Jerome Robbins’ Dances at The Gathering is a pure dance showcase.  Set to Chopin’s beloved piano music, this modern classic features five couples dancing in a series of breathtaking pas de deux and effervescent ensemble numbers, no plots, no roles, just dancers, music, and movement.

A brilliant double bill from The Royal Ballet featuring Cathy Marston’s The Cellist, and a joyful revival of Jerome Robbins’ 1972 dance showcase, Dances at The Gathering. Watch now.

Dances at a Gathering - The Cellist

Nothing lasts forever. In this poignant dance short by filmmaker Ramón Verdugo, a couple confronts the inevitable fading of their relationship. 

Inspired by the Japanese concept of ‘Mono no Aware’, which captures the emptiness associated with acknowledging the impermanence of life, this moving dance piece focuses on the quiet and devastating moments of limbo as a couple acknowledges that their love will not last.  Shot on the captivating set of Orca Studios, this production uses a virtual landscape to transport the couple through space and time - from lush landscapes of budding love to the stark emptiness of growing apart.  


Nothing lasts forever. In this poignant dance short by filmmaker Ramón Verdugo, a couple confronts the inevitable fading of their relationship. 

Aware

Ballet Unleashed presents a new cinema meets dance short film from award-winning choreographer/filmmaker Loughlan Prior. 

New Zealand choreographer Laughlan Prior (Cinderella, The Firebird, Hansel & Gretel) took inspiration from the symmetry, shape, and hidden meanings of the infamous Rorschach Inkblot Tests to create his innovative dance short. Dancers from around the world come together in an imaginative digital world of dripping ink and amorphous black-and-white forms. Set to an original score by composer Claire Cowan, Prior’s bold visual landscape comes to life in a surreal, yet playful, work that highlights the artistic harmony of dance. 

Ballet Unleashed presents a new cinema meets dance short film from award-winning choreographer/filmmaker Loughlan Prior. 

Inklings

After taking a break from choreographing outside his own company, renowned Choreographer Thierry Malandain has created an innovative pastoral double bill for the Ballet du Capitole, featuring the world premiere of his work Daphnis et Chloé.

Beginning with Debussy’s famous symphonic poem, l'après-midi d'un faune, Malandain has returned to his neoclassical roots, creating a tranquil yet humorous, pastoral scene featuring soloist Philippe Solano.  

This is followed by his impressionistic interpretation of Ravel’s 1912 symphony with choir, Daphnis et Chloé. Originally created for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, Malandain has reinvented this pastoral myth of innocence and love infusing it with his signature precision and whimsy. 

This world premiere brings together the vital forces of the Capitole: the Ballet, the Chorus and the Orchestra under the direction of Maxime Pascal.

Watch choreographer Theirry Malandain’s double bill featuring the world premiere of his reinterpretation of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé.

Daphnis et Chloé

The story takes place in Naples where Pulcinella is a local rogue with an eye for the girls. Rosetta, Isabella and Prudenza are infatuated with him, much to the irritation of their boyfriends and Pulcinella's wife, Pimpinella. One night, the boyfriends lie in wait for Pulcinella and beat him soundly. To escape, Pulcinella falls down 'dead' and the men sneak guiltily away, leaving the 'corpse' to be discovered by their girlfriends. Meanwhile, Pimpinella, having caught Pulcinella flirting once too often, persuades her friends to disguise themselves as Pulcinella and pester the girls, to teach them a lesson. When the girls and their boyfriends see the fake Pulcinellas, they are convinced they are seeing ghosts. Pimpinella arrives, the fake Pulcinellas reveal themselves, and the real Pulcinella re-appears. The lovers ask forgiveness, and everyone celebrates.

The story takes place in Naples where Pulcinella is a local rogue with an eye for the girls.

Pulcinella

Choreographer Silas Farley's piece, Dowland Dances, draws inspiration from the idea that art can transcend history, evolving and moving forward while drawing inspiration from the past. 

The piece is set to Sting’s rendition of music by the English Renaissance composer John Dowland. Farley was intrigued by the idea that Dowland, a pop star of his own generation, has inspired and lived on through a contemporary pop star like Sting. Farley has similarly drawn inspiration from ballet’s long history, mixing the old with the new, to create this unique piece.

Choreographer Silas Farley's piece, Dowland Dances, draws inspiration from the idea that art can transcend history.

Dowland Dances

Fantastic fairies, opulent balls, and a healthy dose of humor. Choreographer Christian Spuck reimagines Marius Petipa’s timeless classic, Sleeping Beauty, for Ballett Zürich.  

Christian Spuck ( Romeo and Juliet, Messa da Requiem, The Nutcracker and The Mouse King) presents a fresh and captivating take on the beloved ballet. This enchanting adaptation follows the journey of sheltered Aurora, beautifully portrayed by Michelle Willems, as she courageously breaks free from expectations and steps into her own. Supported by a brilliantly costumed cast of androgynous fairies, thanks to costume designer Buki Shiff, Spuck turns the spotlight on the fate of Carabosse ( William Moore) blurring the line between good and evil. This production is full of quick wit, magical designs, and of course, Spuck’s unique choreographic language. Accompanied by Philharmonia Zurich, under Servenikas’s baton, Tchaikovsky’s melodies provide the perfect backdrop to this mesmerizing production. Combining the best of fairy tale magic and artistic innovation.


Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty with Ballet Zurich; Choreographer Christian Spuck creates a modern and exciting new interpretation of the popular fairy tale.

Sleeping Beauty - Ballet by Christian Spuck

Writer Laura Esquivel’s modern Mexican tale of passionate and forbidden love comes brilliantly to life with The Royal Ballet. Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon ( Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland) captures the layered richness of Esquivel’s incredible family saga, Like Water for Chocolate. Royal Ballet Principals Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé shine as the star-crossed Tita and Pedro, and composer Joby Talbot’s original score springs to life in the hands of Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra. Full of dramatic energy and magical storytelling this production is a dazzling new contemporary classic.  

Writer Laura Esquivel’s novel, Like Water for Chocolate, comes brilliantly to life with The Royal Ballet. Watch now. 

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