David Jays

Alice-Bellini-performing-William-Forsythes-Herman-Schmerman
Dance

The Forsythe Programme at Sadler’s Wells: cerebral and sassy

American choreographer Forsythe’s triple bill at English National Ballet is a triumph of experimentation and fun

11 Apr 2025
A scene from Carlos At 50 at the Royal Opera House
Music

Carlos at 50 at the Royal Opera House review: charisma doesn’t rust

The Cuban ballet star is an undeniable force for good, and no one should begrudge him a sold-out birthday bash

27 Jul 2023
Dance

ENB Cinderella at the Royal Albert Hall: refuses to be earthbound

This whirling ballet in the round touches on the darkness of the Grimm story, but ultimately sparkles

16 Jun 2023
Dance

UniVerse: A Dark Crystal Odyssey at the ROH: cult adaptation hits hard

The ballet adaptation of Jim Henson’s film has an even more urgent ecological message 40 years on

15 May 2023
BALLET BLACK, Director Cassa Pancho,
Dance

Ballet Black at TRSE: the Nina Simone story is a fierce crowd-pleaser

Ballet Black channels art, activism and radical beauty with this invigorating double bill

11 May 2023
Dance

Cinderella at the Royal Opera House: magical, lovely and oh so English

In Frederick Ashton’s take on the fairy tale, romance is tempered by comedy, elegance by eccentricity

28 Mar 2023
Dance

Akram Khan’s Creature at Sadler’s Wells: impressive but oof! It’s dour

In Khan’s grimly imagined production with English National Ballet, humanity has trashed this planet and nothing remains

24 Mar 2023
Dance

Coppélia at Sadler’s Wells review: timely tech take on classic ballet

Scottish Ballet continues to punch above its weight with another hit

3 Mar 2023
Dance

Woolf Works review: Wayne McGregor’s masterful ballet is heartbreaking

Alessandra Ferri resumes the central role and, at nearly 60, anchors a ballet about how it feels to sift through memory

2 Mar 2023
Dance

Acosta Danza: Spectrum at ROH’s Linbury Theatre – full-throttle

Tricky pieces in a spectrum of testing dance styles and the extraordinary performers nail each one

24 Jan 2023
Dance

How did we get here? at Sadler’s Wells review – Mel C brings gravity

It’s a contemplative hour of dance – so don’t expect any zigazig-ah

20 Jan 2023
Dance

The Sleeping Beauty at the Royal Ballet review - decorous but dull

Though woven into the company’s fabric, this is a tough ballet to love

17 Jan 2023
Dance

English National Ballet Swan Lake: being the heir is no feather bed

Derek Deane’s plush production asks much of its dancers, but they delivered on the night

13 Jan 2023
Dance

ENB’s Nutcracker at the London Coliseum review: a festive treat

Elegant and danced with assurance, though emotionally the stakes remain sluggish

16 Dec 2022
Dance

Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at Sadler’s Wells: a ballet with bite

It lacks the emotional wallop of the choreographer’s best work but this show is always entertaining

8 Dec 2022
Dance

The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker: crisp, sweet treat that’s never cloying

Show us a more festive production, we’ll wait

7 Dec 2022
Theatre

Diamond Celebration at the Royal Ballet: a tasting menu of delicacies

This collection of pieces moves from flirty to terrifically astringent

17 Nov 2022
Dance

ENB - Ek/Forsythe/Quagebeur at Sadler’s Wells: underwhelming

Mats Ek has a tepid response to The Rite of Spring in this triple bill but the liquid confidence of Blake Works I is a pleasure to watch

10 Nov 2022
Dance

Light of Passage, Royal Ballet: a meditation on life’s vulnerability

This ballet, expanded from the 2017 award-winner Flight Pattern, is tender and poetic

19 Oct 2022
PEAKY BLINDERS
Dance

Peaky Blinders dance show at Troubadour Wembley Park review: rousing

This is a cracking night out even if it is a dance of two halves

14 Oct 2022
Dance

Nureyev: Legend & Legacy, Theatre Royal Drury Lane: a fitting tribute

A-list dancers mostly brought their A-game to this joyful gala

6 Sept 2022