It's finally September, which means we can all heave an enormous sigh of relief, and start spending our upcoming paychecks on tickets - the dance season is back, and there's plenty for us to see!
Towards the end of spring, I found myself gravitating towards the Royal Ballet - although it was probably just a matter of time till that happened, anyway. Hence the enthusiastic inclusion of several Royal Ballet shows in this list.
Southbank Centre
1 - 3 December: Sydney Dance Company
Three years after Rafael Bonachela's appointment as Sydney Dance Company's Artistic Director, the company finally visits London to show two of his latest works. We've been deprived of his beautiful choreography for too long - don't miss this! There will be a post-show talk on Friday 2 December with Rafael Bonachela discussing his work and SDC.
Tickets & details: ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/find/dance-performance/tickets/sydney-dance-company-60714
The Place
11 & 12 October: Rambert Dance Company's Season of New Choreography
Featuring new works by several of Rambert's dancers including Kirill Burlov, Otis-Cameron Carr, Malgorzata Dzierzon, Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon.
Featuring new works by several of Rambert's dancers including Kirill Burlov, Otis-Cameron Carr, Malgorzata Dzierzon, Jonathan Goddard and Gemma Nixon.
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10568/whats-on/rambert-dance-company.html
4 November: New Art Club
New Art Club return with a selection of their greatest hits, followed by a disco, reminding us of all the reasons to love them. Health warning: they are hysterically funny. Sides will be split.
Tickets & details: www.theplace.org.uk/10604/whats-on/new-art-club.html
Sadlers Wells
13 - 16 September: Grupo Corpo
Making a long-overdue return to London after a 6-year absence, Grupo Corpo fuses ballet and contemporary dance with a distinctly Brazilian flavour. Tickets are selling very very fast!
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Grupo-Corpo-Ima-and-Onqoto
28 September - 1 October: La La La Human Steps
La La La Human Steps is a Québécois contemporary dance company best known for collaborating with Frank Zappa and David Bowie.
A video of their work: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhKCozbX2wI
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/La-La-La-Human-Steps-2011
4 - 8 October: Akram Khan
Already acclaimed as his best work to date, Akram Khan's latest solo DESH sees him collaborating with an Oscar-winning visual artist, Michael Hulls (celebrated lighting designer from Russell Maliphant's 'Afterlight'), Indian writer and poet Karthika Nair and British slam poet Polar Bear. Not to be missed.
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Akram-Khan-Company-DESH
13 - 15 October: Beijing Dance Theatre
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/beijing-dance-theater-haze
15 - 19 November: Rambert Dance Company
Rambert will be performing Mark Baldwin's new work, 'Seven for a secret, never to be told' and the world premiere of a piece by controversial Javier De Frutos - should be unmissable!
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Rambert-Dance-Company-2011
3 - 4 November: Scottish Ballet
Returning to London after a 2-year absence, Scottish Ballet will be performing 'Song of the Earth' and a new work by Jorma Elo.
Tickets & details: www.sadlerswells.com/show/Scottish-Ballet-Double-Bill
Royal Ballet
19 - 24 September: The Metamorphosis
This is a new work choreographed by Arthur Pita, based on the classic Franz Kafka novel. Edward Watson is in the starring role as Gregor Samsa, so expect to be dazzled!
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17255
20 September - 5 October: Jewels
Described by ROH as "a suitably glamorous and glittering way to start the new Royal Ballet Season", it also features many of Royal Ballet's principal dancers - a great way to celebrate the start of the new season!
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16849
8 - 20 October: Limen / Marguerite & Armand / Requiem
Marguerite & Armand was choreographed by Frederick Ashton exclusively for Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev; this time, it will be performed by Tamara Rojo and Sergei Polunin.
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16852
3 - 26 November: Manon
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=16853
19 - 30 November: Asphodel Meadows / Enigma Variations / Gloria
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17621
24 - 26 January: Draft Works
Draft Works is the Royal Ballet's dancers' opportunity to stage their own works; not only do we get to see what they are creating, but it's an intimate space for seeing some of our favourite dancers up close.
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17839
1 February - 5 March: The Dream / Song of the Earth
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17626
29 February - 7 March: Ballet Black
Following on from last year's 10th anniversary celebrations, Ballet Black returns with an amazing programme including new works from Jonathan Goddard (Rambert Dance Company), Jonathan Watkins (Royal Ballet), Christopher Hampson and Martin Lawrance (Richard Alston Dance Company)
Tickets & details: www.roh.org.uk/whatson/production.aspx?pid=17971