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Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The 10 best ballet, opera and dance shows in London
Whether you're an aficionado or hoping to attend your first dance or opera performance, the capital is the ideal place to look. There are numerous ballet shows in London, not to mention a wealth of contemporary dance. Opera shows in London are world renowned. There are productions to suit all tastes, featuring incredibly talented artists in wonderful venues in the theatre district. You will find everything from Matthew Bourne's glamorous The Red Shoes and the festive Nutcracker to the Royal Opera's mighty production of Puccini's Tosca and their bold reinvention of Handel's Semele. If you're on the hunt for the best ballet performances, best opera shows and best dance shows in London, then check out our top picks below and book your tickets now. Best ballet and dance shows in London Toe-tapping and toe-pointed entertainment in London includes classical ballet, contemporary dance, circus, children's shows and more. See all shows via Tickets | Telegraph Media Group provided by London Theatre Direct Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes, Sadler's Wells In a nutshell: devotion, obsession, art and sacrifice collide as Matthew Bourne's stage adaptation of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's Academy Award-winning movie makes a triumphant return to Sadler's Wells. The fairy-tale story follows passionate ballerina Victoria Page, who becomes torn between the great impresario Boris Lermontov and suitor Julian Craster. Which will she choose: her love of dance or the love of her life? Featuring stirring music by Bernard Herrmann, Bourne's Olivier Award-winning dance drama features a range of sumptuous 1940s' designs as it twirls between Covent Garden and Monte Carlo. It's an enchanting, glamorous spectacle – perfect for a Christmas outing that transports you to the Golden Age of Hollywood. Booking: Dec 2 to Jan 18, 2026 Nutcracker, London Coliseum In a nutshell: it simply wouldn't be Christmas without this popular festive ballet, which sees a young girl's nutcracker doll come to life (think Toy Story with more pointe shoes). Clara helps her nutcracker battle the Rat King and is transported to the Land of the Sweets, where she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, her dance set to the famous part of Tchaikovsky's gorgeous score. Performed in the majestic London Coliseum, English Ballet's new version brings fresh magic to this enduring and beloved story. Booking: Dec 11 to Jan 12, 2026 Akram Khan's Giselle, London Coliseum Ballet meets kathak in Akram Khan's thrilling re-imagining of an iconic work, which weaves in Indian classical dance as part of its distinctive storytelling style. Khan also puts a contemporary spin on the tale of a peasant girl who falls for a dishonest duke: here, Giselle is a migrant factory worker, and Albrecht is a privileged landlord who deceives her. But Albrecht gets his comeuppance in the otherworldly second half of the show, which sees the vengeful Wilis – spirits of women who have been betrayed – descend upon him. Khan's atmospheric production features an ominous score by Vincenzo Lamagna, combining acoustic and electronic music, which is perfect for this modern version of a legendary fable. Booking: Jan 15-18, 2026 In a nutshell: ballet really can rock. The Who's iconic 1973 album Quadrophenia (written by Pete Townshend) and the subsequent cult-classic movie of the same name have inspired an explosive dance show. Set in the 1960s, it follows disaffected youth Jimmy who falls in with the sharply dressed mods and winds up caught in their famous 1964 battle with the rockers on Brighton Beach. This exciting, adrenaline-fuelled piece of dance theatre features an all-star creative team: it's choreographed by Paul Roberts (who has worked with Harry Styles and Robbie Williams), directed by Rob Ashford (Tony and Olivier winner), and boasts stylish costumes by British fashion house Paul Smith. It's a Swinging Sixties sensation. Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, Sadler's Wells In a nutshell: there is a new chapter in the epic turn-of-the-century Birmingham crime saga, which unfolded over six ferocious seasons on the BBC – and it comes in the form of a swaggering dance drama. Benoit Swan Pouffer and his company, Rambert, have joined forces with the show's creator, Steven Knight, to present a unique theatre event, featuring jaw-dropping athletic dance and a live on-stage band playing the series' incredible score. The show delves into the backstory of Tommy Shelby, who fought in the trenches with the Peaky Blinders gang, and then follows his intoxicating affair with nightclub singer Grace, and his fight to survive in a murky postwar criminal underworld. Booking: Aug 5-16 Best opera shows London is the home of world-leading companies such as the Royal Opera and English National Opera, producing performances of both brand-new and classic works, with homegrown talent and visiting international superstars. See all shows via Tickets | Telegraph Media Group provided by London Theatre Direct Il Trovatore, Royal Opera House In a nutshell: Adele Thomas's powerful 2023 production of Verdi's great opera follows the grisly tale of a gypsy woman who commanded her daughter, Azucena, to avenge her death by placing the infant son of Count di Luna on her funeral pyre. Years later, the new count is locked in a love triangle with lady-in-waiting Leonora and a mysterious troubadour, Manrico. A battle between the gypsies and the count's military forces is juxtaposed with a gripping saga of passion, revenge and love. Booking until: Jul 19 Semele, Royal Opera House In a nutshell: Handel's riveting opera, first seen in 1744, blends darkly comic and tragic elements in its telling of an ancient Greek myth. The mortal Semele is romanced by the arch-seducer Jupiter, king of the gods, but Jupiter's jealous wife, Juno, plots to destroy Semele by tricking her into desiring to see Jupiter in his divine form – with horrifying results. Oliver Mears's bold production updates the action by setting the tale in a mid-century luxury hotel, and tapping into contemporary themes around power dynamics and toxic masculinity. The excellent cast features Pretty Yende, Ben Bliss, Alice Coote, Brindley Sherratt and Carlo Vistoli, while the music is conducted by Christian Curnyn. Booking until: Jul 18 Tosca, Royal Opera House In a nutshell: Puccini's operatic thriller is back in Covent Garden in an exciting new production directed by Oliver Mears and conducted by Jakub Hrůša. The epic story is set in war-torn Rome in 1800, where painter Mario Cavaradossi and singer Floria Tosca are desperately in love. But when escaped prisoner Cesare Angelotti seeks Cavaradossi's help, they are both put in grave danger. Their enemy is the terrifying Baron Scarpia, chief of police, who craftily manipulates the two lovers in an attempt to uncover Angelotti's hiding place. Anna Netrebko, Aleksandra Kurzak, Freddie De Tommaso and Gerald Finley lead the company for this shattering production of Puccini's mighty portrait of ardour, faith, revolution and political intrigue. Booking: Sept 11 to Oct 7 More booking information to come soon. Carmen, London Coliseum In a nutshell: Bizet's irresistible work has one of the most compelling heroines in all of opera: the femme fatale, Carmen. Soldier Don José falls for the free-spirited gypsy girl, and, when she's arrested for attacking another woman, the beguiled José agrees to free her. But Carmen abandons him when she meets a more exciting prospect: mysterious bullfighter Escamillo. Calixto Bieto's acclaimed production, which transports the Spanish action from the 19th century to the end of Franco's regime in the 1970s, returns to the Coliseum to thrill audiences once again. Add in famous arias like the Toreador Song and Habanera, and this is a night of fiery passion, jealousy, obsession and glorious music. Booking: Oct 8 to Nov 5 More booking information to come soon. Turandot, Royal Opera House In a nutshell: Andrei Serban's celebrated production of Puccini's China-set final work makes a welcome return to the Royal Opera House. Three acclaimed opera stars, Anna Netrebko, Maida Hundeling and Anna Piroazzi, share the title role – the cold-hearted Princess Turandot – who will only marry a suitor who can solve three riddles. Those who try and fail are ruthlessly beheaded. The Prince of Tartary is dazzled by the princess's beauty and takes on the deadly challenge, despite pleading from onlookers, including slave girl Liù and her master, who is actually the vanquished King of Tartary. A battle of wills ensues, during which the prince sings one of the most famous arias in all of opera, Nessun dorma, and Turandot finally understands love. Booking: Dec 15 to Feb 4, 2026 More booking information to come soon. FAQs What is the best ballet in London? The capital is teeming with incredible dance shows, ranging from traditional classical ballet to more modern and cutting-edge productions. Experience ballet at its most magical and festive at Nutcracker, dramatic and glamorous at The Red Shoes, and reborn into a new mystical form at Akram Khan's Giselle. Where is the best place to see ballet in London? There are several world-class dance venues in London. Sadler's Wells hosts a range of leading companies and productions, while the Royal Opera House is home to the Royal Ballet, and the London Coliseum is the base for English National Ballet. All of these thriving venues are well worth a visit. Where can I see opera in London? Opera is also extremely well represented in the city, giving audiences their choice of thrilling, brilliantly performed, sometimes heart-breaking productions of legendary work. Venues include the Royal Opera House, which is home to the Royal Opera, and the London Coliseum, where you'll find English National Opera. What is the dress code for opera in London? There is no set dress code for attending the opera, unlike in its early days when formal wear was definitely required. However, if you're attending a show at a magnificent venue like the Royal Opera House or London Coliseum, it's fun to dress up and make your visit feel even more special.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Leslie Ash, 65, shows off her taut visage as she reunites with Phil Daniels, 66, at Quadrophenia event - 45 years after filming cult classic
Quadrophenia stars Leslie Ash and Phil Daniels looked delighted to be in each other's company again as they reunited 45 years after filming the cult classic. The actors, aged 65 and 66 respectively, looked in great spirits as they posed on the red carpet at a ballet adaptation of the 1979 British drama at Sadler's Wells in London. Leslie looked more youthful than ever in the snaps, while casually clad in a black polo neck jumper and trousers teamed with white trainers. The Men Behaving Badly star was aided by the use of a pink walking stick, two decades after contracting an MSSA superbug that nearly left her unable to walk. By her side was Phil, who sported a brown T-shirt and navy blazers with tinted shades. The duo were impressed by the production, calling the cast 'fantastic'. Quadrophenia, which was set amid the real-life drama of mods and rockers fighting on Brighton beach in 1964, also starred the likes of Sting and Ray Winstone. The cult classic was based on the eponymous 1972 double-album by The Who. While it was one of his most famous roles, Phil previously confessed he could barely remember filming the drama. He said: 'All I can remember about the film is working really hard. We shot it all in six weeks and we did the end first. 'It was quite interesting and it's kind of a nice way of doing a film where you do the end first, so at least you know where you've got to go with the character.' However, in 2010, Phil confessed that he is constantly asked about his sex scene with Leslie, quipping: ' If I had a pound for every time someone asked me exactly how intimate, I'd be a very rich man.' Writing for the Mail, he continued: 'I can see it coming a mile off, although people think they're being subtle. 'Since no system of automatic remuneration exists for this routine conversational exchange, I would like to take this opportunity to say once and for all: It didn't happen.' He added: 'That scene looks good on the screen but I remember it being quite awkward - Leslie really didn't want to do it. 'The problem with Leslie and me --well, it wasn't a problem, because it worked really well in the film - was that I was very raw and young at that time, whereas she already had a boyfriend who was a lot older than her and drove a Porsche. 'I couldn't compete even though obviously I wanted to because she was pretty. 'And while me having the sense that I was not in her league was good for Quadrophenia, it wasn't so good for me. 'Especially as I'd seen her jealous boyfriend hanging around the set a few times - not exactly giving me the evil eye, but almost. It wasn't my fault, was it? But you know what boyfriends are like, especially those who are going out with actresses. 'It wasn't just the boyfriend issue. The whole scene was tricky for Leslie and director Franc Roddam had to coax her into it by saying, 'Get in there for the old wallbanger.' 'You wouldn't generally do too many rehearsals before a scene like that so we were very new to each other. 'It was meant to be a closed set, but there's always someone who shouldn't be there - one of the crew trying every means possible to get a glimpse of the action. 'Excepting the occasional setbuilder with a wandering eye, Roddam was good at keeping people at arm's length. 'I never got The Who's Roger Daltrey coming up and telling me how to do it. Well, we did have a bit of a chat one day while sitting on a couple of deckchairs in Brighton, but that was fine by me.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mel C puts on a leggy display in figure-hugging dress as she reunites with fellow Spice Girl Emma Bunton at Quadrophenia press night
Mel C and Emma Bunton showcased their firm friendship once again as they attended the press night performance of Pete Townshend 's Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet at Sadler's Wells Theatre on Wednesday evening. The Spice Girls beamed in snaps together as they threw up the peace sign after arriving with their respective partners. Mel, 51, put on a leggy display in a figure-hugging two-toned red and white dress which she paired with chunky white trainers. Meanwhile Emma kept it more casual as she opted for a elegant white blouse with a scallop collar and cropped jeans. The singer, 49, completed the look with brown snake print heels and a khaki leather cross body bag. She arrived at the event with her husband Jade Jones who opted for a black short-sleeved shirt and smart white trousers. Meanwhile Mel was joined by her boyfriend Chris Dingwall, who kept it simple in a white T-shirt and black jeans. Other stars in attendance at the star-studded event included Bob Geldof, Billie Piper, Daisy Ridley, Leslie Ash and Phil Daniels and Layton Williams. Billie, 42, opted for a simple short black shirt dress while Daisy, 33, opted for a contrasting long white alternative. Layton, 30, wowed in a black and grey plaid skirt which he paired with a black tank top and black leather boots. Recorded by The Who in 1973, Quadrophenia quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album for the band. Inspiring the 1979 cult classic feature film of the same name, the album is back once again as an explosive dance production. Created by Pete Townshend himself it features a cast of exceptional dancers and a rich, orchestral version of the album recorded by Rachel Fuller. Emma and Mel C were last seen together at Mel B's 50th birthday bash last month, but the remaining Spice Girls stars Victoria Beckham and Geri Halliwell-Horner were nowhere to be seen. Daisy Ridley wore a long white shirt dress and black strappy heels The birthday girl made sure she claimed the lions share of attention by recalling her girl band glory, courtesy of a sequin leopard print mini dress with dramatic shoulder pads. She adopted her trademark Scary pout and styled her brunette locks into a tight bun at the top of her head. The former X Factor judge pulled out all the stops for her big night and towered in some open toe heels as she joined her partner Rory McPhee and her children Angel, 18, and Phoenix, 26, in Leeds for the glamorous evening. It comes after it was revealed Victoria Beckham is feuding in the Spice Girls universe. Simon Fuller – the man who managed the band, created Brand Beckham and helped found Victoria's fashion empire – is keen to organise a tour to mark the group's 30th anniversary next year. He has the support of Mel C, Mel B and Emma, and has spent more than a year trying to win Geri Halliwell-Horner round to the idea. A source told The Mail's Alison Boshoff: 'Geri isn't interested in stepping foot on a stage again.' So the plan she agreed to was for Abba-style avatars of the girls, which would 'perform' in concert. But Victoria is being left out of discussions and will not be part of the virtual line-up. Gary Kemp was joined by his wife Lauren who wore a white and red floral summer dress A source said: 'Simon Fuller planning a tour has caused yet another schism. Victoria is f****d off that they have gone with him and there is no way that she will be a part of it. 'The bad feeling seems to go back to her and David having to spend millions on buying him out of Beckham Brand Holdings. He still has a stake and board seat on her fashion business. There is resentment there. 'Geri wants to do the avatars idea. She isn't interested in coming back and doing a tour. She doesn't need to. This is the one idea which Simon has had which has tempted her.' The source added: 'Simon Fuller is the only person who could get Geri to rejoin the Spice Girls, but he is the one person in the world who could never persuade Victoria.'
Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Ballet BC review — horror and comedy in a classy Canadian double bill
The Dance Consortium is a collective of UK venues whose aim is to bring the best international dance to our shores. It has made a winning choice with this exceptionally fine double bill by the Vancouver-based Ballet BC, unveiled this week at Sadler's Wells before continuing to tour to six locations — from Edinburgh to Plymouth — until mid June. The 20 dancers of Ballet BC are classically trained, but the works they perform are very much within the contemporary field. In other words, don't go expecting to see pointe shoes. But do go if you want to watch a superb ensemble delivering two complementary works that are, respectively, aesthetically impressive and marked by a smart, generously crowd-pleasing touch. First up is Crystal Pite's Frontier
