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Naomi Mori

Naomi Mori

Naomi is a blogger living in Tokyo and travels frequently to see ballet. She is a law graduate of Waseda University and a former film publicist, film critic and IT business researcher/strategist. She blogs at La Dolce Vita in Japanese. She tweets about ballet as @naomip_86. and takes ballet class regularly

Author:Naomi Mori

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National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

By Naomi Mori, 18 October 2025

The National Ballet of Japan gave an excellent rendition of Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, in spite of many new faces and role debuts.

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National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

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Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote by K-Ballet Tokyo: a dazzling production

By Naomi Mori, 26 September 2025

Tetsuya Kumakawa's Don Quixote for K-Ballet Tokyo is a production that promises the audience much enjoyment, with thrilling lead dancers and excellent storytelling.

*****

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Kumakawa's Don Quixote by K-Ballet Tokyo: a dazzling production

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Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles again in Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 12 June 2025

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland returned to the National Ballet of Japan, a marvelous production that amply displays the many talents of the company.

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Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles again in Tokyo

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National Ballet of Japan's revival of Giselle: a dramatic return

By Naomi Mori, 10 April 2025

National Ballet of Japan has revived their production of Giselle, ahead of their tour to the Royal Opera House in London, replicating the triumphant success it had in 2022.

*****

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National Ballet of Japan's revival of Giselle: a dramatic return

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National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

By Naomi Mori, 15 March 2025

While National Ballet of Japan’s latest triple bill presents many challenges, one hopes these valuable masterpieces will be revived, enabling the company to develop its virtuosity and artistry.

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National Ballet of Japan’s new triple bill is full of bold challenges

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NBJ’s young choreographers are showcased in Dance to the Future

By Naomi Mori, 30 November 2024

In National Ballet of Japan's Dance to the Future, the standards of choreography were high compared to past years, and the ability of the dancers to express these contemporary works, was noteworthy.

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NBJ’s young choreographers are showcased in Dance to the Future

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Paris Opera Ballet: a superlative Mayerling

By Naomi Mori, 06 November 2024

Paris Opera Ballet has triumphantly revived Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling, two years after its company premiere in 2022.

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Paris Opera Ballet: a superlative Mayerling

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National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

By Naomi Mori, 25 October 2024

National Ballet of Japan opened their 2024/25 season with Eagling’s The Sleeping Beauty. Haruka Sassa's Aurora, guesting from Staatsballett Berlin, and prima ballerina, Yui Yonezawa, debuting as the Lilac Fairy, were highly impressive.

****1

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National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

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David Bintley's Aladdin: a beloved production returns to Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 14 June 2024

National Ballet of Japan has revived Sir David Bintley’s Aladdin for the first time in five years and it shows how the company has developed since the premiere in 2008.

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David Bintley's Aladdin: a beloved production returns to Tokyo

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National Ballet of Japan's La Bayadère offers breathtaking Shades

By Naomi Mori, 27 April 2024

National Ballet of Japan has revived its version of La Bayadère choreographed by former director Asami Maki. Brilliantly performed by strong lead dancers, the Kingdom of the Shades was particularly breathtaking.

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National Ballet of Japan's La Bayadère offers breathtaking Shades

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Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet: a 21st century love story

By Naomi Mori, 10 April 2024

Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures brought its groundbreaking Romeo and Juliet to Tokyo for the first time and wowed the audience with its magical storytelling.

*****

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Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet: a 21st century love story

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National Ballet of Japan: Tales of Hoffmann, a successful revival

By Naomi Mori, 23 February 2024

National Ballet of Japan have revived Peter Darrell’s Tales of Hoffmann and whilst this may not be a masterpiece, served to show how much the company is evolving, with excellent lead dancers.

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National Ballet of Japan: Tales of Hoffmann, a successful revival

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Paris Opera Ballet’s Manon: phenomenal performances in Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 17 February 2024

The Paris Opera Ballet gave excellent performances of Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon, with strong lead dancers, depicting 18th century demi-monde society, which is not so far removed from the 21st century.

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Paris Opera Ballet’s Manon: phenomenal performances in Tokyo

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Ayako Ono dazzles in National Ballet of Japan’s The Nutcracker and the Mouse King

By Naomi Mori, 25 December 2023

National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker by Wayne Eagling is a family favourite, with lead dancers Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka giving a flawless performance as the leads.

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Ayako Ono dazzles in National Ballet of Japan’s Nutcracker

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Don Quixote opens the season with a new principal ballerina in Japan

By Naomi Mori, 21 October 2023

National Ballet of Japan's 2023/24 season opened to a very appreciative audience with Alexei Fadeyechev’s Don Quixote.

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Don Quixote opens the season with a new principal ballerina in Japan

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Superlative! National Ballet of Japan in Peter Wright's Swan Lake

By Naomi Mori, 10 June 2023

This production provides a hugely fulfilling evening, rich in drama and the beauty of classical ballet.

****1

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Superlative! National Ballet of Japan in Peter Wright's Swan Lake

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National Ballet of Japan thrills in Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth

By Naomi Mori, 29 April 2023

Two adaptations of well-known Shakespeare plays make wonderful additions to the repertoire of the National Ballet of Japan.

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National Ballet of Japan thrills in Tuckett's The Tragedy of Macbeth

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National Ballet of Japan: Petit’s Coppélia charms its live audience

By Naomi Mori, 24 February 2023

National Ballet of Japan performed Roland Petit’s Coppélia in front of a live audience for the first time, showing the company to be in great form.

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National Ballet of Japan: Petit’s Coppélia charms its live audience

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Guests and A Million Kisses to My Skin add sparkle to National Ballet of Japan's New Year Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 13 January 2023

Their artistry was something that is rarely seen and is a great gift to us all.

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A breath of fresh air and an eye-opener for audiences!

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A brutal but mesmerising Rite of Spring from the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 25 November 2022

NBJ shows a contemporary double bill choreographed by Motoko Hirayama; a powerful and daring programme that strengthens their dancers’ versatility.

****1

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A mesmerising Rite of Spring from the National Ballet of Japan

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A spellbinding new Giselle for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 21 October 2022

NBJ's season opens with a successful new production of the 19th-century classic Giselle, directed by Miyako Yoshida and choreographed by Alastair Marriott.

****1

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A spellbinding new Giselle for the National Ballet of Japan

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Christopher Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles at National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 03 June 2022

Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland proves to be one of the greatest recent successes at the National Ballet of Japan, promising a feast of delights, an enjoyable night at the ballet for both children and adults.

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Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles in Tokyo

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National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella returns successfully

By Naomi Mori, 30 April 2022

A much beloved production with magical charm, National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella, choreographed by Fredrick Ashton, is successfully performed to a full house audience, thanks to coaching by Miyako Yoshida who performed the role in her days at The Royal Ballet.

****1

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National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella returns successfully

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National Ballet of Japan kicks off 2022 with stylish New Year Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 14 January 2022

National Ballet of Japan successfully performs two very different pieces, George Balanchine's Theme and Variations and David Bintley's Still Life at the Penguin Café, amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

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National Ballet of Japan kicks off 2022 with stylish New Year Ballet

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National Ballet of Japan dazzles in Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake

By Naomi Mori, 23 October 2021

National Ballet of Japan premieres Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake, which had been postponed for a year due to Covid restrictions.

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National Ballet of Japan dazzles in Sir Peter Wright's Swan Lake

National Ballet of Japan's Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

By Naomi Mori, 24 July 2021

The National Ballet of Japan's Ryuuguu: the Turtle Princess is a ballet aimed at family audiences but adults can also enjoy it as it is a great showcase for Japanese culture with Noh and Kabuki influences and philosophy.

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Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

A stunning Carmen by Àlex Ollé opens at New National Theatre

By Naomi Mori, 06 July 2021

New National Opera sucessfully opened a world premiere production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen, directed by Spanish director Àlex Ollé, a production inspired by Amy Winehouse, a diva of today.

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A stunning Carmen by Àlex Ollé opens at New National Theatre

National Ballet of Japan's Raymonda makes a glorious return to stage

By Naomi Mori, 05 June 2021

Asami Maki's Raymonda returns to stage after 12 years, and the result was glorious, with excellent interpretation by Yui Yonezawa, Yudai Fukuoka and Masahiro Nakaya.

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National Ballet of Japan's Raymonda makes a glorious return to stage

Roland Petit's Coppelia a holiday week treat in Japan

By Naomi Mori, 02 May 2021

Roland Petit's Coppélia by The National Ballet of Japan was streamed to more than 30,000 online viewers, entertaining people forced to stay home during the holidays.

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Roland Petit's Coppelia a holiday week treat in Japan

Afternoon of Fauns and Nymphs shows diversity of Japanese contemporary dance

By Naomi Mori, 26 March 2021

New National Theatre Tokyo's gala evening of six works by six pairs of dancers was a brilliant evening showing works from Japan's leading choreographers and dancers.

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Fauns and Nymphs shows diversity of Japanese contemporary dance

Eagling's Sleeping Beauty delivers an awakening kiss to the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 20 February 2021

In the National Ballet of Japan's Sleeping Beauty, the fulfilment and joy of being able to dance was apparent in the whole company and the result was glorious.

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An awakening kiss for the National Ballet of Japan

National Ballet of Japan's New Year Ballet creates a buzz with “Still Life” at the Penguin Café

By Naomi Mori, 11 January 2021

New Year Ballet displayed the versatility of the National Ballet of Japan, from the 19th-century classic Paquita, to three works by Japanese choreographers and David Bintley's “Still Life” at the Penguin Café.

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New Year Ballet creates a buzz with “Still Life” at the Penguin Café

National Ballet of Japan conquers the challenges of Wayne Eagling's Nutcracker

By Naomi Mori, 19 December 2020

National Ballet of Japan's The Nutcracker and the Mouse King conquers the challenge of Wayne Eagling, a flawed but enjoyable production with high quality dancing

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National Ballet of Japan conquers the Nutcracker challenges

Don Quixote is a triumphant season opener for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 23 October 2020

National Ballet of Japan marks a triumphant season opening of Don Quixote with new director Miyako Yoshida, the first ballet performance in 8 months with full seating capacity audience and live orchestra. .

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A triumphant season opener for the National Ballet of Japan

The World of John Neumeier, Hamburg Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 08 March 2016

The highlight of Hamburg Ballet’s tour in Japan was the gala The World of John Neumeier. It was rather a full length piece following the life and career of Neumeier with his major works performed seamlessly, accompanied by his own narration

*****

John Neumeier: In love with Dance

The Winter's Tale, National Ballet of Canada

By Naomi Mori, 19 November 2015

Wheeldon's Winter's Tale for The National Ballet of Canada is a soaring success.

The Winter’s Tale, National Ballet of Canada

Peter Darell's Tales of Hoffman, National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 30 October 2015

The National Ballet of Japan mounted a new production of Peter Darrell’s The Tales of Hoffmann based on the Offenbach's opera. Although no masterpiece, it was an enjoyable evening and the quality of dancing by the four primas, the fascinating new sets and the costumes did entertain the audience a lot.

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Peter Darell's Tales of Hoffman in Japan

National Ballet of Japan's ethereal La Bayadere

By Naomi Mori, 17 February 2015

National Ballet of Japan’s La Bayadère boasts a magnificent corps de ballet, and with prima ballerinas Ayako Ono and Yui Yonezawa as the lead ladies and guest star Vadim Muntagirov as Solor, this highly dramatic and thrilling perfomance of La Bayadère makes for a memorable evening.

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National Ballet of Japan's Bayadere

National Ballet of Japan's new Sleeping Beauty

By Naomi Mori, 08 November 2014

National Ballet of Japan created a new version of Sleeping Beauty reimagined by Wayne Eagling. Vadim Muntagirov of Royal Ballet guested, and Yui Yonezawa was Aurora.

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NBJ's new Sleeping Beauty

NBA Ballet, Michael Pink’s Dracula

By Naomi Mori, 25 October 2014

NBA Ballet performed Michael Pink’s Dracula for the first time as a Japanese company. With lavishing designs by Lez Brotherston and charismatic performance by Yusuke Onuki, this gothic piece was a perfect entertainment act for Halloween.

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NBA Ballet, Michael Pink’s Dracula

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake starring Marcelo Gomes

By Naomi Mori, 09 September 2014

ABT's Marcelo Gomes stars in Matthew Bourne's <em>Swan Lake</em>, his Swan a sensational success in Tokyo!

*****

Bourne's Swan Lake in Tokyo

BABEL (words), Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet

By Naomi Mori, 29 August 2014

Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Damien Jalet's BABEL deals with the issues of globalization and isolation and how people from different cultures coexist. A stunning collaboration between choreography, music and stage design, it is both intellectual and entertaining.

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Babel Cherkaoui & Jalet

The Legacy of the Ballet Russes lives in Tokyo Komaki Ballet

By Naomi Mori, 23 August 2014

Tokyo Komaki Ballet, a company intricatelly tied to the Ballet Russes, performed three of its works, Afternoon of a Faun, Prince Igor and Petrushka.

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Ballets Russes triple bill, Tokyo Komaki Ballet

Saburo Teshigawara's Sleep, featuring Aurélie Dupont

By Naomi Mori, 14 August 2014

Saburo Teshigawara's KASHA première Sleep in Tokyo, with Paris Opéra Ballet's Aurélie Dupont as guest artist.

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em>Sleep*, Teshigawara

Stars of Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet shine in A Night of Royal Elegance

By Naomi Mori, 08 August 2014

Stars from the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet perform excerpts of 15 works in Tokyo, showcasing British ballet's rich and exciting repertoire

*****

A Night of Royal Elegance

Étoiles of the Paris Opéra Ballet sparkle in Tokyo

By Naomi Mori, 30 July 2014

The fourth Étoile Gala in Tokyo showed many faces of Paris Opera Ballet étoiles as well as stars from other companies, and with its intimate atmosphere and hand-made feeling, won the hearts of Japanese audience.

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Étoiles of the Paris Opéra Ballet sparkle in Tokyo

Alina Cojocaru Dream Project 2014, Program A

By Naomi Mori, 20 July 2014

Alina Cojocaru Dream Project 2014 brings together in Tokyo international artist from the Royal Ballet, Dutch National Ballet and the National Opera of Bucharest. An intimate evening with Alina Cojocaru and some of the best dancers on the world's stages.

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Alina Cojocaru in Tokyo

NBA Ballet's Triple Bill

By Naomi Mori, 22 June 2014

NBA Ballet performed an ambitous triple bill consisting of three 20th century masterpieces of American Ballet, Great Galloping Gottschalk, The Leaves are Fading and Bruch Violin Concerto No.1. At Melpark Hall.

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NBA Ballet's Triple Bill

Jo Kanamori's Carmen for Noism 1 & 2

By Naomi Mori, 21 June 2014

Jo Kanamori has created a new Carmen for his company Noism 1 and 2. His creative story telling and Sawako Iseki's powerful interpretaion leaves a stunning impression.

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Jo Kanamori's Carmen

David Bintley's The Prince of the Pagodas returns to National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori, 15 June 2014

David Bintley's Prince of the Pagodas returns to National Ballet of Japan after the succsessfull premiere at Birmingham Royal Ballet

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National Ballet of Japan's The Prince of the Pagodas