NDT2, Ballet Black, Richard Alston, BalletBoyz, Romeo & Juliet: aren't you feeling a little bit spoiled by the first half of March? If you are busy between 6 and 9 March, we urge you to cancel your plans and book to see NDT2 NOW while tickets are still available. Many agree that they are one of the best dance companies in the world, and if you don't already agree, make sure you see them to understand what all the excitement is about. "Excitement" also applies to Ballet Black's new season; having celebrated their first ten years, Ballet Black has commissioned new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be-AD of Scottish Ballet).
Sadler's Wells
29 February & 1 March: Richard Alston
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Richard-Alston-Triple-Bill
This latest triple bill from Richard Alston Dance Company is a triple bill of favourites: a revival of his "iconic" Roughcut from 1990, which is often cited as audiences' favourite Alston work, and Martin Lawrance's Lie of the Land, which was one of our highlights of 2010 - watch out for Andres de Blust-Mommaerts's amazing performance! Completing the triple bill is Alston's latest work, A Ceremony of Carols, which will be accompanied by a choir and harp.
If you already love Alston or are curious about his work, make sure you don't miss this.
3 & 4 March: BalletBoyz
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/BalletBoyz-The-Talent-2012
If contemporary dance had boy bands, then BalletBoyz would be at the top. Following the launch of "The Talent" in 2010, their repertoire has been refined, and this is another chance to see 2011's award-winning programme, featuring Russell Maliphant's Torsion, adapted from the original duet created for the original Boyz, Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, Paul Roberts’ Alpha which is all sweetness and light, and the full-force impact of Jarek Cemerek's gritty Void, brilliantly lit by Andrew Ellis. They're preparing a new programme of works, so this may be one of your last chances to see this programme.
And make sure you get one of their 'REAL MEN WEAR TIGHTS' tshirts or hoodies. And whether or not you see them, if you're on Twitter, do follow them at @balletboyz.
6 - 9 March: Nederlands Dans Theater 2
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Nederlands-Dans-Theater-2-Mixed-Bill
Not only is NDT2 considered to be one of the best contemporary dance/modern ballet companies in the world, but all of the dancers are between 17 and 23. You'll be truly amazed by what these dancers can do - go see them! In fact, if you see nothing else all year, make sure you see NDT2!
Unusually, they're performing the same programme all four nights, so diehard fans will have to consider following them around the country to see the other programmes. We recommend seeing them in Nottingham and Edinburgh, if you're up for it.
25 March - 7 April: Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos — The Most Incredible Thing
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing
This is the return of last year's successful production, which managed to pack out Sadler's Wells on a nightly basis with bemused Pet Shop Boys fans. It's more of a dazzling spectacle than a dazzling dance show, although we're very excited to hear that Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov and Yuyu Rau are returning, while Diarmaid O'Meara (recently seen in Ballet Ireland, and in two of our past festivals) will be joining the cast for the first time. Javier De Frutos's choreography is very tame and family-friendly (in an interview, he explained that he'd been instructed to make "family-friendly" choreography. His response was: "what family?"); the middle section is by far the best.
Royal Opera House
29 Feb - 6 March: Ballet Black
Linbury Studio
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971
Ballet Black are one of the leading modern ballet companies, and their latest programme follows on from their tenth anniversary tour of last year. Featuring new works by Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Christopher Hampson (soon-to-be Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet) and Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston Dance Company). Christopher Hampson's work Storyville has been nicknamed "A Mississippi Manon"; you can read a brief feature on it by The Ballet Bag here. If you've never watched ballet before, this programme is a very good place to start!
3 - 31 March: Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17623
Returning after a mid-season break, MacMillan's storyladen Romeo & Juliet offers audiences the chance to see Alina Cojocaru & Johann Kobborg, Steven McRae & Roberta Marquez, Lauren Cuthbertson & Federico Bonelli and Edward Watson & Lauren Benjamin in the lead roles. With lots of storytelling (but no mime!), wonderful dancers and some beautiful dance sequences, it's easy to see why it's so damn hard to get tickets for this!
17 March - 16 April: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18143
Originally opening with a lavish premiere a year ago, Christopher Wheeldon's full-length work for the Royal Ballet has undergone some tweaks and returns with new sections and an additional interval. Expect outlandish costumes, hilarious characters and impressive projections to make this a truly memorable Alice.
At a cinema near you
22 March: Live screening of Romeo & Juliet
Tickets & details: cinema.roh.org.uk/now-booking/nearest/*/23347
If you fancy something a bit different, or if going to the Royal Opera House isn't an option, this is a great opportunity to watch the Royal Ballet from the comfort of a cinema seat. Originally intended to broadcast Lauren Cuthbertson with Sergei Polunin, audiences will now be able to see Federico Bonelli as her Romeo.
Also showing
12 & 20 March: In Conversation
Clore Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18827
As part of Royal Opera House's In Conversation series, Christopher Wheeldon will be talking on 12 March, followed by Lauren Cuthbertson on 20 March. Both will be reflecting on their careers and achievements to date, and considering what the future holds for them. Both are currently sold out, but tickets will be released 24 hours beforehand, if not before then.
13 - 15 March: Ivan Putrov's Men In Motion
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ivan-Putrov-Sergei-Polunin-Men-in-Motion
Announced only 3 weeks before its opening night, this is a swift reprisal of Ivan Putrov's celebration of male dancers, presenting some of the more significant male roles from the past century in dance. January's Men In Motion was somewhat overshadowed by the "#sergeistorm" - the shock resignation of Sergei Polunin from the Royal Ballet only a few days beforehand, and the weak programme wasn't helped by the loss of several of his dancers due to visa problems.
The new lineup offers a brand new work by Sergei Polunin, whose post-Royal Ballet life appears to be a series of galas, Nijinsky's L'Apres-midi d'un faune and a solo originally created for Mikhail Baryshnikov.
16 & 17 March: Protein Dance
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12134/whats-on/protein.html
Protein Dance's LOL (Lots of Love) wowed audiences last year when it toured the country, and has since picked up a number of awards. Awkwardly exploring Facebook, emails, online chatting and dating, this dance theatre piece is sometimes witty, sometimes hilarious, and otherwise enjoyable to watch. If you missed it last year, or want to see it again, then this is your chance.
29 - 31 March: New Dance Commissions
Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18821
Continuing ROH2's ongoing support of emerging talented choreographers, this programme celebrates the completion of Freddie Opoku-Addaie's, Laïla Diallo's and Sarah Dowling's two years on ROH2’s Choreographic Associate Scheme with new works commissioned by ROH2. Laïla Diallo, a former dancer with Wayne McGregor's Random Dance, will explore the themes of migration and transience accompanied by live music. Sarah Dowling, whose work has spanned cinema and theatre, has given her work a science-fiction edge, while Freddie Opoku-Addaie, recent Place Prize Finalist, delves into his memories of being surrounded by the daily routine of craft artists. Regardless of the subject matters, it'll be interesting to see the work of these three choreographers and how they've grown as a result of the scheme.