Francesca Velicu

Inger's Carmen is successful in two key ways: firstly it tells the existing narrative of Carmen incredibly clearly, secondly it actually does so with “new resonance' - who'd have thunk it.

A leading promoter and producer of opera, ballet and classical music for the last 50 years, the fact that Raymond Gubbay CBE is not a household name is baffling. For those who are in the know, he has been a tireless champion of the arts and has brought trailblazing innovation to many of his productions.

Last year's festive period didn’t feel like Christmas in so many ways, especially for those who return year after year to see the English National Ballet’s production of Nutcracker. The charming adventures of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker follow their journey through fantasy lands to defeat the evil Mouse King and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy in the Kingdom Of The Sweets. The show has a perennial appeal, but this year’s production appears to have lost some of its sparkle.

​Akram Khan’s third work for English National Ballet finally debuted after numerous COVID-related false starts to a vocal Sadler’s Wells audience this week.

Before we get to the main business of the dancing, let’s focus on what tonight is really all about: the moment the lights go down and there is an announcement, “Welcome to this performance of Reunion by English National Ballet”, and followed by that unique sound of applause and cheering from a socially distanced audience that lasts nearly a minute. If you didn’t already have a lump in your throat from the sight of a velvet curtain and an overpriced glass of wine in a plastic cup, you will now. 

Galas are peculiar beasts. In attempting to please everyone, you sometimes please no one at all, but fortunately, for this nostalgic run through the rich history of English National Ballet, no one was disappointed by the varied and often emotive selection of greatest hits.

For many, it simply cannot be Christmas without Nutcracker. The enduring story of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker is one to soften the hardest of hearts. The pair defeat the evil Mouse King and his army and journey to the Kingdom Of The Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy for a magical adventure. English National Ballet present another Christmas revival of the Wayne Eagling version which both enchants and charms.

Now in its 10th year, English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer competition returned to Sadler's Wells on 7 May 7 with six finalists, all members of ENB's corps de ballet, competing for the title.

Three years ago, English National Ballet presented an evening of work all by female choreographers, She Said. It was an uneven programme but a brave artistic choice, and those courageous female voices are finally fully realised in the sequel, She Persisted.

English National Ballet's Emerging Dancer Award is now in its ninth year. It's an invaluable resource to balletomanes and dance critics, allowing the opportunity to focus on the rising stars, to put faces to names and glimpse their vibrant personalities for a unique evening that highlights the depth of talent within the company.

The Olivier Awards were held last night, Sunday, April 8, at London's Royal Albert Hall. Check out photos below of all of the winners!

The lauded Lin-Manuel Miranda musical Hamilton led the way at the Olivier Awards 2018 ceremony, collecting seven awards from its record-breaking thirteen nominations.

We'll be updating the list of nominees LIVE throughout this evening's Olivier Awards from London's Royal Albert Hall - winners are indicated IN BOLD!

Today, Elaine Paige and Alexandra Burke announced the nominations for the Olivier Awards 2018 with Mastercard, UK's most prestigious stage honours. The 2018 awards are set to be an exciting occasion with original new work dominating the categories and a significant number of artists receiving their first ever Olivier nominations. Catherine Tate will host the Awards at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 8 April and they will be broadcast to the UK and worldwide.