With Easter coming up, there's not as much on, but that hardly matters with the premiere of Liam Scarlett's new work for the Royal Ballet taking place on Thursday, accompanied by the premiere of Wayne McGregor's new work with music by Mark Ronson. Further down the road, St Petersburg's Eifman Ballet Theatre will be performing two unforgettable works at the Coliseum.


Highlights

Royal Ballet: Sweet Violets / Carbon Life / Polyphonia: 5 - 23 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146
Trailer: youtu.be/R3vHgPUGN1Y

Wayne McGregor's star at the Royal Ballet is rapidly being eclipsed by the exciting talent of Liam Scarlett, whose first ever narrative ballet is being premiered in this triple bill. Sweet Violets explores the life of Walter Sickert at the time of Jack the Ripper, with warnings of "content of an adult nature". I can't stress enough how amazing Scarlett's work is; you can view rehearsal footage filmed during the Royal Opera House's "Royal Ballet Live" day via the link above.

Also on the programme is the premiere of Wayne McGregor's latest work, Carbon Life, based on Carl Jung's theories of anima/animus and the collective unconscious, with music written by Mark Ronson and live performances by musicians including Boy George. The third piece on the programme is a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's much-loved Polyphonia.


Eifman Ballet: Anna Karenina & Onegin: 3 - 7 April
London Coliseum
Tickets & details for Anna Karenina: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1887
Tickets & details for Onegin: www.eno.org/see-whats-on/productions/production-page.php?&itemid=1888
Trailer: youtu.be/6LRHBAbiUa4

Boris Eifman, one of Russia’s greatest living choreographers, presents two of Russia's greatest classics, having thoroughly modernised both, complete with new scores. His works have strongly divided critics (see Ismene Brown's feature on him here), but both the storytelling and choreography look rich and very unmissable.

There is a 2-for-1 offer on tickets for Anna Karenina on 3 April and Onegin on 6 April for £35 & £45 tickets; quote METRO when buying.


Also On

Pet Shop Boys & Javier De Frutos: The Most Incredible Thing: to 7 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pet-Shop-Boys-and-Javier-De-Frutos-The-Most-Incredible-Thing
Trailer: youtu.be/ocgNbwOys-4

Last year's contemporary dance sensation returns with most of the original cast intact, and some reworked scenes. Fans of last year's show will be somewhat disappointed, however the new-look The Most Incredible Thing is far more audience-friendly, with a revamped middle section, and some additional scenes. It's not perfect, but it's a lot of fun, with some great dancers and snazzy music from the Pet Shop Boys. There are great performances by its lead dancers Aaron Sillis, Ivan Putrov and Clemmie Sveaas, and it's almost worth going just to see Clemmie Sveaas dancing to an early Pet Shop Boys song!