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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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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Paris

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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.

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National Ballet of Japan: a breathtaking Beauty opens the season

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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.

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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!

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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.

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A mesmerising Rite of Spring from the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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.

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A spellbinding new Giselle for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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.

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National Ballet of Japan's Cinderella returns successfully

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

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Tokyo

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

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

30 Jul 2021

Ryuuguu: The Turtle Princess a showcase for Japanese culture

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

09 Jul 2021

A stunning Carmen by Àlex Ollé opens at New National Theatre

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

10 Jun 2021

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

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

05 May 2021

Roland Petit's Coppelia a holiday week treat in Japan

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

31 Mar 2021

Fauns and Nymphs shows diversity of Japanese contemporary dance

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

23 Feb 2021

An awakening kiss for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

14 Jan 2021

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

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

22 Dec 2020

National Ballet of Japan conquers the Nutcracker challenges

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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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Tokyo

26 Oct 2020

A triumphant season opener for the National Ballet of Japan

By Naomi Mori

Tokyo

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

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Tokyo

11 Mar 2016

John Neumeier: In love with Dance

By Naomi Mori

Toronto

By Naomi Mori, 03 June 2014

Stuttgart Ballet performed a triple bill consisting of two innovative world premieres No Men's Land (Edward Clug) and Aftermath (Demis Volpi), with Maurice Bejart's classic Songs of a Wayfarer.

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Stuttgart

08 Jun 2014

Stuttgart Ballet's Wayfarers

By Naomi Mori