This week sees the London première of Scottish Ballet's Streetcar Named Desire, and the final performance of the Royal Ballet's attention-seeking triple bill. Outside of London, the International Dance Festival Birmingham is starting - perfect for a few days away (or indeed, if you live in or near there)!


Royal Ballet: Polyphonia, Sweet Violets & Carbon Life - 23 April
Royal Opera House
Tickets & details (returns & day tickets only): www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=18146

Tonight sees the final performance of the Royal Ballet's latest triple bill, and your last chance to see Mark Ronson, Alison Mosshart and Boy George sharing the stage with Royal Ballet's dancers

This triple bill might appear as something of a mission statement of where the Royal Ballet currently finds itself, with works by its current in-house choreographers: a revival of Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia, originally created for the New York City Ballet; Liam Scarlett's first narrative ballet, and another no-holds-barred work by Wayne McGregor.

Wheeldon's Polyphonia has received rave reviews from the press, and more divided feedback from audiences; if you loved Wheeldon's Alice, you'll love this - and you'll no doubt recognise a few sections. Liam Scarlett's Sweet Violets explores the world of artist Walter Sickert at the time of the Jack The Ripper murders; while not perfect, it's still a very entertaining piece with some lovely duets. The pièce de resistance is Wayne McGregor's Carbon Life, which features outlandish costumes by Gareth Pugh, music by Mark Ronson and vocals by Black Cobain, Alison Mosshart and Boy George, among others. It's one of McGregor's better works, and the music will stay with you long afterwards.


Spring Loaded: Goddard Nixon & José Agudo - 24 April
The Place
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/12716/whats-on/goddard-nixon-jose-agudo.html

Rambert Dance Company's Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon return to The Place with Fitcher’s Bird, a work which they first performed last autumn in Rambert's Season of New Choreography. It's an astonishingly impressive duet - with lots and lots of feathers. No birds were harmed in the making of this work, though....


Ballet Revolución: 25 April - 19 May
Peacock Theatre
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Ballet-Revolucion

Ballet Revolución are described as "an explosive fusion of ballet, contemporary dance and hip hop from a company of supremely talented Cuban dancers and live musicians" - we're hoping for the best from them!


Scottish Ballet: A Streetcar Named Desire - 26 - 28 April
Sadler's Wells
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Scottish-Ballet-A-Streetcar-Named-Desire

The London première of Scottish Ballet's exciting new work has finally arrived, after accumulating rave reviews from its initial performances so far. Particular praise is given to the lead dancer Eve Mutso and the creative team tasked with adapting this iconic work for the dance stage: American theatre and film director Nancy Meckler and international choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. It's selling very fast, so catch them if you can!


Special Mention

International Dance Festival Birmingham: 23 April - 19 May
Further details: www.idfb.co.uk

IDFB is a four-week dance festival which not only presents some of the best names in dance, but also turns the city of Birmingham into a dance stage, with various site-specific works taking place over the next few weeks. Highlights include the final performances of Artifact by Royal Ballet Flanders, Russell Maliphant and Sylvie Guillem in PUSH and three short works by Birmingham Royal Ballet.