Yorke Dance Project's made-for-film production of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Sea of Troubles breathes new life into an acclaimed classic. 

In 1988, MacMillan captivated audiences with his emotionally charged interpretation of Shakespeare's Hamlet. In 2017, Yorke Dance Project revived the work, creating an atmospheric film adaptation that tastefully enhances MacMillan's vision of Hamlet's turbulent world. 

Directed by the documentary director David Stewart (Horizon), this visually stunning production brings MacMillan's original choreography and costumes to the grounds of the moody Hatfield House, an English country estate built in 1611. MacMillan's achingly beautiful dance sequences have a newfound depth as Shakespeare's beloved characters move through the damp halls and misty gardens of the impressive estate.  

Yorke Dance Project's stunning made-for-film production of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Sea of Troubles.

Sea of Troubles

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

Mayerling is a ballet choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan to the music of Franz Liszt. 

Dealing with dangerous desires, family secrets and political intrigue, the story was inspired by true life events. More specifically, the sexual and morbid obsessions of Crown Prince Rudolf leading to the murder-suicide scandal with his mistress Mary Vetsera.
Set against the backdrop of the oppressive but glamorous Austro-Hungarian court in the 1880s, this production is a masterclass in storytelling through dance.

Mayerling, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan to the music of Liszt, is inspired by a true story of sex, obsession and tragedy.

Mayerling

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

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. 

Like Water for Chocolate

A tale of the French Revolution, the Flames of Paris belongs to the pearls of the pure classics of classical dance. This world premiere recording of this new production from choreographer Alexei Ratmansky (after Vasily Vaynonenon) and the Bolshoi Ballet, features the stunning soloists Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev. Although set in revolutionary France, The Flames of Paris’s intention was to serve as an allegory for contemporary events in the Soviet Union. The ballet premiered in 1932 on the anniversary of the October Revolution, and one of its main characters was in fact the population - revolutionary in mood and ready for action. Not surpringly, Flames of Paris was quickly included in the ranks of works which were always presented for major anniversaries.The choreographer Alexei Ratmanky has attempted to make maximum use of the preserved fragments of Vasily Vainonen in his new ballet.

A tale of the French Revolution, the Flames of Paris belongs to the pearls of the pure classics of classical dance.

The Flames of Paris

In 2018 Akram Khan, the renowned contemporary choreographer, took the greatest of all romantic ballets and put his own stamp on this story of love, betrayal and redemption 

Hailed as a modern masterpiece, this stunning new version by the English National Ballet includes sets and costumes by designer Tim Yip, and an adaptation of Adolphe Adam's original score created by composer Vincenzo Lamagna. 

Akram Khan's Giselle for the English National Ballet boldly reimagines the classic story of love, betrayal and redemption.

Akram Khan's Giselle

Discover acclaimed Swedish choreographer Mats Ek’s 1987 reworking of the ballet classic, Giselle, for the Cullberg Ballet.  

With the sensational Ana Laguna in the title role, Mats Ek’s interpretation of the ballet classic has all the whimsy and imaginative innovation so closely associated with the choreographer. In this version of Giselle, the traditional romantic Rhineland village is replaced by a landscape in the shape of breasts, and the supernatural realm of the Wilis is replaced by the harsh reality of a lunatic asylum giving this interpretation a harsh modern relevance.  Ana Laguna dances superbly as the barefoot girl who falls ‘madly in love’.

Discover acclaimed Swedish choreographer Mats Ek’s 1987 reworking of the ballet classic, Giselle, for the Cullberg Ballet. 

Mats Ek's Giselle

Celebrate the life and legacy of ballet icon Rudolf Nureyev. Widely regarded as one of the greatest ballet dancers, Nureyev’s contributions to the world of ballet forever changed the art form. The Nureyev Legend and Legacy Gala features a selection of excerpts that represent pivotal moments from Nureyev’s career performed by today’s leading ballet stars. From his mesmerizing Le Corsaire solo to spellbinding duets from his partnership with Margot Fonteyn, this gala is an authentic homage to Nureyev’s artistic brilliance.  

Celebrate the life and legacy of ballet icon Rudolf Nureyev with the Nureyev Legend and Legacy Gala. 

Nureyev: Legend and Legacy

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland burst onto the stage in 2011 in an explosion of color, stage magic and inventive, sophisticated choreography. Joby Talbot’s score combines contemporary soundworlds with sweeping melodies that gesture to ballet scores of the 19th century. Bob Crowley’s wildly imaginative, eye-popping designs draw on everything from puppetry to projections to make Wonderland wonderfully real. 

Alice encounters a cast of extraordinary and instantly recognizable characters, from the highly strung Queen of Hearts – who performs a hilarious send-up of The Sleeping Beauty’s famous Rose Adage – to a playing card corps de ballet, a sinuous caterpillar and a tap-dancing Mad Hatter. But the ballet does not avoid the darker undercurrents of Lewis Carroll’s story: a nightmarish kitchen, an eerily disembodied Cheshire Cat and the unhinged tea party are all here in vivid detail. The delicious result shows The Royal Ballet at its best, bringing together world-class dance with enchanting family entertainment.


Fall down the rabbit hole with the Royal Ballet's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

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 Dream is Frederic Ashton’s adaptation of Shakespeare‘s riotous comedy in which a forest sprite plays havoc, armed with a love potion.

The Royal Ballet's Sleeping Beauty stars Marianela Nuñez as Princess Aurora and Vadim Muntagirov as her Prince Florimund.

The Dream

Widely lauded by critics, choreographer Jonathan Watkins 1984 is an awe-inspiring retelling of George Orwells masterpiece. Winston Smith lives in a world of absolute conformity, his every action scrutinized by Big Brother. However, when Winston meets Julia, he dares to rebel by falling in love. Danced by Northern Ballet the UKs foremost narrative ballet company to a score by Tony-nominated composer Alex Baranowski, this thoroughly modern take on 1984 will change the way you think about ballet. Batley [Winston Smith] and Leebolt [Julia] are excellent, their bodies as vividly present as their faces are haunted. At the chilling end, we realise not only how intently we have been watching, but also that we too may be watched. (Sanjoy Roy, The Guardian) ""This is gripping storytelling"" (The Stage) ""..an ambitious, compelling and, ultimately, moving new ballet. Even more powerful are the intimate duets for Winston and Julia, verboten lovers who are dancing on a metaphorical razor's edge. Thinking themselves free of the gaze of Big Brother, they give themselves to each other with a genuinely moving passion, which is danced gorgeously by Tobias Batley and Martha Leebolt"" (The Daily Telegraph)

Jonathan Watkins 1984 is an awe-inspiring retelling of George Orwells masterpiece

1984

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

A classic ballet, done in a completely new way. Alexander Ekman’s A Swan Lake, staged by the Norwegian National Ballet at the Oslo Opera House, sees the traditional tale of Swan Lake turned on its head. 

Think… actors, musicians and 1000 rubber ducks.

A production you must see to believe.

A Swan Lake is Alexander Ekman’s quirky take on a classic, introducing rubber ducks and water to the Oslo Opera House.

A Swan Lake

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

Shakespeare’s great romance gets a magical reimagining through the power of dance with Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale. 

Released to widespread critical acclaim, the Royal Ballet’s 2014 production is a masterful, modern narrative ballet which includes powerful designs by Bob Crowley and music by Joby Talbot. 

Now widely considered a modern classic, the ballet follows the destruction of a marriage through consuming jealousy, the abandonment of a child and a seemingly hopeless love. Yet, through remorse and regret – and after a seemingly miraculous return to life – the ending is one of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Christopher Wheeldon’s critically-acclaimed production of The Winter’s Tale for the Royal Ballet.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Royal Swedish Ballet

Subscribe now to watch

Cast & Crew

You may also like