If ever there's a time to feel that the dance world is truly spoiling you, this would be one of those weeks - even if you have to live on rice and beans for the rest of the month to justify the cost of splashing out. But be quick - tickets are selling fast for most of these shows, and some are already sold out. Which is all the more reason to beg, cajole, stake out or scour the interwebs for returned tickets. 

 

Here are the highlights of the next week:

 

 

Arthur Pita's Metamorphosis at Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House

Details & tickets: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17255

 

The long-awaited Metamorphosis, starring Royal Ballet's Edward Watson, finally opened this Monday and runs till Saturday. It's an unsettling show, with Edward Watson's insectlike movement, copious quantities of black goo, and a truly unmissable performance by Laura Day. 

 

Tickets may be available over the phone on 020 7304 4000, and do keep your eyes peeled for returns!

 

 

Jewels, Royal Opera House

Details & tickets: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16849

 

Officially opening the new Royal Ballet season, also the start of director Monica Mason's final year, Jewels is Balanchine's triple bill with the romantic ballet Emeralds, followed by jazzy upbeat Rubies and concluding with Sleeping Beauty-esque Diamonds. 

 

Heavily recommended if you like a touch of classicism with your ballet, or if you want to see lots of Royal Ballet's principal dancers in one evening - the first cast sees Tamara Rojo and Leanne Benjamin in Emeralds, Zenaida Yanowsky and Steven McRae in Rubies, and Alina Cojocaru and Rupert Pennefather in Diamonds. 

 

 

Sylvie Guillem, Sadler's Wells

Details & tickets: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Sylvie-Guillem-6000-miles-away

 

Originally presented in July 2011, this triple bill presents a duet by William Forsythe for Sylvie Guillem and Massimo Murru (originally performed by Paris Opera Ballet star Nicolas Le Riche in July), a playful solo choreographed by Mats Ek, and a beautiful duet by Jirí Kylián .

 

 

La La La Human Steps, Sadler's Wells

Details & tickets: www.sadlerswells.com/show/La-La-La-Human-Steps-2011

 

Hotly awaited since their performances were announced by Sadler's Wells in May, there's only a few days left to wait! La La La Human Steps are probably best known for their collaborations with the likes of Frank Zappa and David Bowie; these performances will see the UK premiere of 'New Work', their first new work for 4 years. You can see a taster video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0iYFM5cE-Y

 

 

Worth catching: 'Exquisite Corpse': 23 & 24 September

Venue: Architectural Association, 36 Bedford Sq, WC1B 3ES

Further details: newmovement.org.uk/london.html

 

Described as "a dialogue between architecture, dance, music, design, film, photography, fashion and art", this is a collaboration with the New Movement Collective (www.newmovement.org.uk) which includes Rambert's Jonathan Goddard, Gemma Nixon and Robin Gladwin, New Adventures's Joe Walkling and Random Dance's Alex Whitley.

 

 

Coming up:

 

Akram Khan's 'DESH', Sadler's Wells: 4 - 8 October

Details & tickets: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Akram-Khan-Company-DESH

 

'Desh' has been receiving glowing praise since its recent premiere in Leicester, including "Desh is a masterpiece, the best thing that he has ever done" from Luke Jennings (Observer), five stars from Judith Mackrell (Guardian) and "is a breathtaking solo performance" by Farhana Shaikh (The Public Reviews).

 

 

Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Barbican Centre: 5 - 8 October

Details & tickets: www.danceumbrella.co.uk/page/3260/Performances/353

 

As part of this year's Dance Umbrella, this is the Merce Cunningham Dance Company's final London season showcasing some of his finest works.