This week is dominated by two events: British Dance Edition, and the new Royal Ballet double bill, which had originally cast Sergei Polunin in one of the starring roles. See below for more details...


Royal Ballet: The Dream / Song of the Earth - from 1 February
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626 (mostly sold out, but keep an eye out for returns)

Extra focus has been placed on Frederick Ashton's The Dream, a one-act rendering of A Midsummer Night's Dream, in the wake of the abrupt departure of Sergei Polunin, scheduled to perform as Oberon in three of the six performances. No replacement has been scheduled as yet, but rumours suggest that Steven McRae, recent recipient of the Critics' Circle Best Male Dancer Award, will be taking over this role.

Song of the Earth is one of Kenneth MacMillan's best-loved one-act ballets, and is a poignant meditation on Death and two lovers, set to Mahler's song-cycle and drawing on the source Chinese poems for artistic inspiration.

With Alina Cojocaru as one of the lead roles in The Dream, and Tamara Rojo, Marianela Nuñez, Carlos Acosta and Edward Watson in Song of the Earth, this will be a truly spectacular show.


Russell Maliphant: The Rodin Project - 5 February
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Russell-Maliphant-Company (sold out, but keep an eye out for returns)

Following the award-winning Afterlight, The Rodin Project is Russell Maliphant's latest work, inspired by the creations of French sculptor Auguste Rodin; dancers include Tommy Franzén. More information will probably be available after The Rodin Project's premiere in Paris on 31 January.


Also worth seeing

Wayne McGregor | Random Dance, Candoco Dance Company, Hofesh Shechter Company - 2 & 3 February
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Wayne-McGregor-Random-Dance-Candoco-Dance-Company-Hofesh-Shechter-Company

This triple bill opens with Wayne McGregor's 2010 work for his company, FAR, followed by a performance by Candoco Dance Company of Trisha Brown's 1983 work Set & Reset and its 2011 restaging, Reset. Candoco Dance Company is one of this country's leading integrated dance companies, and recently celebrated its 20th birthday to critical acclaim. The Art of Not Looking Back is a work created by Hofesh Shechter for his company's female dancers.


Richard Alston Dance Company & National Dance Company of Wales - 4 February
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre
Tickets & details: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/richard-alston-dance-company-and-national-dance-company-wales-62943

This double bill features erstwhile favourites Richard Alston Dance Company presenting Alston's latest work, Unfinished Business, alongside a rare London appearance by National Dance Company of Wales performing By Singing Light by Stephen Petronio using Dylan Thomas's poetry. The performance will be accompanied by the BBC National Chorus of Wales and live harp music.