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Vikki Jane Vile

Vikki Jane Vile

Vikki Jane Vile has been reviewing dance for over ten years, specialising in Ballroom and Ballet. In 2018, she became a member of the Critics' Circle for Dance. Vikki writes for BroadwayWorld and previously Dancing Times, LondonDance.com and CultureWhisper. She also prides herself on being a Strictly Come Dancing connoisseur since its inception and has appeared on BBC radio and several podcasts as an expert on all things Strictly. Having lived in London for ten years, she is now based in Germany and adapting to the Berlin dance scene.

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Birmingham Royal Ballet in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering © Johan Persson

A sparkling and sobering close to the season: Birmingham Royal Ballet's 20th Century Masterpieces

By Vikki Jane Vile, 19 June 2026

Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) close their 25/26 season with an ambitious triple bill running for just four performances on their home turf at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

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Birmingham Royal Ballet in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering © Johan Persson

Birmingham Royal Ballet: a sparkling and sobering close to the season

By Vikki Jane Vile

Skyler Maxey-Wert, Sophie Martin and Joan Ivars-Ribes in John Neumeier’s A Streetcar Named Desire © Ingo Schaefer

A Streetcar Named Desire: a bleak but gripping retelling at Ballett am Rhein

By Vikki Jane Vile, 08 May 2026

Ballet isn’t always pretty, there are plenty of examples in repertoires across the world. John Neumeier’s Streetcar Named Desire (Endstation Sehnsucht) is to reach another level of grim but gripping brutality told through dance.

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Skyler Maxey-Wert, Sophie Martin and Joan Ivars-Ribes in John Neumeier’s A Streetcar Named Desire © Ingo Schaefer

A Streetcar Named Desire: a gripping retelling at Ballett am Rhein

By Vikki Jane Vile

Norwegian National Ballet in Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère © Erik Berg

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

By Vikki Jane Vile, 17 April 2026

Norwegian National Ballet gives a marvellous rendition of Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère. Opening night in Oslo was a strong argument for its place in any season, displaying ballet escapism at its best.

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Norwegian National Ballet in Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère © Erik Berg

Natalia Makarova's La Bayadère: a night to remember in Oslo

By Vikki Jane Vile

Hamburg Ballet ensemble in Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean © Kiran West

Fast Forward: Hamburg Ballet’s mixed bill proves a mixed success

By Vikki Jane Vile, 22 February 2026

All that glistens... the world premiere of Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean is the highlight of a mixed bill programme spanning 90 years of choreography.

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Hamburg Ballet ensemble in Xie Xin’s The Moon in the Ocean © Kiran West

Fast Forward: Hamburg Ballet’s mixed bill proves a mixed success

By Vikki Jane Vile

Sae Maeda and Harris Bell in Moskowski Waltz © Deborah Jaffe

World ballet stars and future talents on offer at Ballet Nights’ Decadance

By Vikki Jane Vile, 04 February 2026

Ballet Nights is an ambitious dance project that began two and a half years ago and was the brainchild of founder, Jamiel Devernay-Laurence. Lots to applaud while celebrating its tenth programme.

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Sae Maeda and Harris Bell in Moskowski Waltz © Deborah Jaffe

World ballet stars and future talents at Ballet Nights’ Decadance

By Vikki Jane Vile

Paris Opera Junior Ballet in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante © Julien Benhamou

Exciting talents and mixed choreography in Paris Opera Junior Ballet

By Vikki Jane Vile, 29 January 2026

Established in 2024, Paris Opera Junior Ballet has been touring extensively since early 2025, with Bonn’s Opera House the latest stop.

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Paris Opera Junior Ballet in George Balanchine’s Allegro Brillante © Julien Benhamou

Exciting talents and mixed choreography in Paris Opera Junior Ballet

By Vikki Jane Vile

David Motta Soares and Maia Makhateli in Carmen © Carol Lancelloti

Frankfurt am Main

Ballet superstars in Frankfurt for a night to savour

By Vikki Jane Vile, 30 November 2025

For one night only, audiences in Frankfurt were treated to some world class ballet on the expansive stage of the Jahrhunderthalle.

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David Motta Soares and Maia Makhateli in Carmen © Carol Lancelloti

Frankfurt am Main

Ballet superstars in Frankfurt for a night to savour

By Vikki Jane Vile

Anaïs Touret and Jim De Block in Láhppon/Lost © Erik Berg

Norwegian history is brought to life on the Main Stage in Oslo

By Vikki Jane Vile, 31 October 2025

Amongst the Giselles and the Nutcrackers that will grace Oslo Opera House’s Main Stage this season sits a vital slice of Norwegian history from two emerging choreographers, Elle Sofe Sara and Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir.

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Anaïs Touret and Jim De Block in Láhppon/Lost © Erik Berg

Norwegian history is brought to life on the Main Stage in Oslo

By Vikki Jane Vile

Ballett am Rhein in Bridget Breiner's Concerto for the Left Hand © Altin Kaftira

Ballett am Rhein: Boléro still thrills audiences in celebration of Ravel

By Vikki Jane Vile, 14 September 2025

Ballett am Rhein open their season by bringing their programme to Düsseldorf, Soirée Ravel. Marking the 150th birthday of composer Maurice Ravel, audiences are treated to four of his most famous compositions.

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Ballett am Rhein in Bridget Breiner's Concerto for the Left Hand © Altin Kaftira

Ballett am Rhein: Boléro still thrills audiences

By Vikki Jane Vile

Norwegian National Ballet in Petite Mort © Joerg Wiesner

Petite Mort is a cut above in Oslo’s second Kylián celebration

By Vikki Jane Vile, 31 May 2025

The second programme of Norwegian National Ballet's Kylián festival, Day After Yesterday, features four older works, including Petite Mort and No More Play which are unquestionably highlights of his expansive repertoire.

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Norwegian National Ballet in Petite Mort © Joerg Wiesner

Petite Mort is a cut above in second Kylián celebration

By Vikki Jane Vile

Nae Nishimura Skaar in Bella Figura © Erik Berg

Aesthetic and accessible: Kylián Festival opens at Norwegian National Ballet

By Vikki Jane Vile, 29 May 2025

The Wings of Time festival in Oslo this summer is the most comprehensive collection of Czech choreographer Jiří Kylián’s work ever presented.

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Nae Nishimura Skaar in Bella Figura © Erik Berg

Aesthetic and accessible: Kylián Festival opens in Oslo

By Vikki Jane Vile

Kauan Soares as Father and Nami Ito as Clara in Bridget Breiner's Ruß – A story on Cinderella © Ingo Schaefer

Ballett am Rhein’s Russ: skillful storytelling but sobering viewing

By Vikki Jane Vile, 24 May 2025

“Russ” translates as “soot”, the title of Bridget Breiner’s retelling of Cinderella. However it’s the role of Livia, the rather spirited Stepsister who must navigate the family trauma.

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Kauan Soares as Father and Nami Ito as Clara in Bridget Breiner's Ruß – A story on Cinderella © Ingo Schaefer

Ballett am Rhein’s Russ: skillful storytelling but sobering viewing

By Vikki Jane Vile

Tulsa Ballet in Yuri Possokhov's Classical Symphony © Tulsa Ballet

Fearless and theatrical: Tulsa Ballet visit Bonn for the first time

By Vikki Jane Vile, 21 May 2025

Tulsa Ballet has only toured internationally six times in their 70 year history. This year, they wrapped up in Bonn, the lucky city to host From Ballet to Broadway.

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Tulsa Ballet in Yuri Possokhov's Classical Symphony © Tulsa Ballet

Fearless and theatrical: Tulsa Ballet visit Bonn for the first time

By Vikki Jane Vile

Anna Tsygankova and Giorgi Potskhishvili in Helen Pickett's Lady Macbeth © Altin Kaftira

Anna Tsygankova is a riveting Lady Macbeth in Pickett’s new production

By Vikki Jane Vile, 06 April 2025

Dutch National Ballet give committed performances in Helen Pickett’s latest literary adaptation in a full-length Lady Macbeth.

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Anna Tsygankova and Giorgi Potskhishvili in Helen Pickett's Lady Macbeth © Altin Kaftira

Anna Tsygankova is a riveting Lady Macbeth in Amsterdam

By Vikki Jane Vile

Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Moto Perpetuo © Altin Kaftira

Exciting new talents at Ballett am Rhein in a versatile new programme

By Vikki Jane Vile, 23 March 2025

After a more traditional direction from the new leadership of Ballett am Rhein in their season opener, new programme Kaleidoskop is a mixed selection that sees a fusion of contemporary and neoclassical choreography.

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Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Moto Perpetuo © Altin Kaftira

Exciting new talents at Ballett am Rhein in a versatile new programme

By Vikki Jane Vile

Alina Cojocaru as Gelsomina and Marc Jubete and David Rodriguez as Angels in La Strada © Jack Thomson

Cojocaru is a touching heroine in La Strada

By Vikki Jane Vile, 14 February 2025

Having premiered at Sadler’s Wells just over a year ago, Alina Cojocaru and her production company, AC Workroom, have since enjoyed touring international venues, now visiting a packed Opernhaus in Bonn.

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Alina Cojocaru as Gelsomina and Marc Jubete and David Rodriguez as Angels in La Strada © Jack Thomson

Cojocaru is a touching heroine in La Strada

By Vikki Jane Vile

Silvia Azzoni, Madoka Sugai and ensemble in Azure Barton's Slow Burn © Kiran West

Slow Burn marks a new era for Hamburg Ballet

By Vikki Jane Vile, 10 January 2025

The rather imposing proposition of taking over the reigns from John Neumeier has fallen to Demis Volpi, who has brought fresh and explosive pieces into the repertoire at Hamburg.

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Silvia Azzoni, Madoka Sugai and ensemble in Azure Barton's Slow Burn © Kiran West

Slow Burn marks a new era for Hamburg Ballet

By Vikki Jane Vile

Matthew Knight and Théo Just in Sol León's Stars Like Moths © Carlos Quezada

Love, humour and drama at the Staatsballett Berlin

By Vikki Jane Vile, 15 November 2024

Staatsballett Berlin continue its run of this popular double bill, 2 Chapters Love, named after Sharon Eyal’s work and a follow up to 2017’s to Love Chapter 2.

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Matthew Knight and Théo Just in Sol León's Stars Like Moths © Carlos Quezada

Love, humour and drama at the Staatsballett Berlin

By Vikki Jane Vile

Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Hans van Manen's Four Schumann Pieces © Yan Revazov

Ballett am Rhein are unrecognisable in season opener

By Vikki Jane Vile, 27 October 2024

It’s all change at the Ballett am Rhein with new Chief Choreographer, Bridget Breiner, and Ballet Director, Raphaël Coumes-Marquet taking over from Demis Volpi for the 24/25 season.

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Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Hans van Manen's Four Schumann Pieces © Yan Revazov

Ballett am Rhein are unrecognisable in season opener

By Vikki Jane Vile

Steven McRae as the Mad Hatter in Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland © Alice Pennefather

Wheeldon’s Alice is an attractive but disjointed spectacular

By Vikki Jane Vile, 28 September 2024

Last seen in 2017, Christopher Wheeldon’s take on the classic Lewis Carroll novel returns to the Royal Opera House stage, or rather Royal Ballet and Opera as we must now call it.

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Steven McRae as the Mad Hatter in Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland © Alice Pennefather

Wheeldon’s Alice is an attractive but disjointed spectacular

By Vikki Jane Vile

Lucia Lacarra Ballet in Matthew Golding's Lost Letters © Jesus Vallinas

Lacarra shines in this emotive First World War love story

By Vikki Jane Vile, 23 August 2024

Lost Letters is the first full work from former Bayerisches Staatsballett Principal, Lucia Lacarra and her self-titled ballet company.

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Lucia Lacarra Ballet in Matthew Golding's Lost Letters © Jesus Vallinas

Lacarra shines in this emotive First World War love story

By Vikki Jane Vile

Sofia National Ballet in Swan Lake © Sofia Opera and Ballet

Swan Lake on a lake: a unique summer treat in Sofia

By Vikki Jane Vile, 11 July 2024

It’s the white acts which are the highlight of this Swan Lake by the Sofia Opera and Ballet, made all the more magical by the setting at Pancharevo Lake.

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Sofia National Ballet in Swan Lake © Sofia Opera and Ballet

Swan Lake on a lake: a unique summer treat in Sofia

By Vikki Jane Vile

Long Zou in Demis Volpi's Fly © Ingo Schaefer

A goodbye gala: Demis Volpi leaves Ballett am Rhein with his Favourite Things

By Vikki Jane Vile, 07 July 2024

As we reached the end of season gala, Ballett am Rhein offered up a selection of highlights from the past four seasons in celebration of outgoing Artistic Director, Demis Volpi.

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Long Zou in Demis Volpi's Fly © Ingo Schaefer

Demis Volpi leaves Ballett am Rhein with his Favourite Things

By Vikki Jane Vile

Birmingham Royal Ballet in Black Sabbath – The Ballet © Johan Persson

Black Sabbath – The Ballet: hard rock with a soft centre

By Vikki Jane Vile, 19 June 2024

Birmingham Royal Ballet and Black Sabbath are two of Birmingham’s greatest cultural exports and now they are on a European tour together before heading to the US next year.

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Birmingham Royal Ballet in Black Sabbath – The Ballet © Johan Persson

Black Sabbath – The Ballet: hard rock with a soft centre

By Vikki Jane Vile

Dutch National Ballet in Milena Sidorova's Tenzij © Altin Kaftira

Fearless and captivating, Dancing Dutch is a romp of a programme

By Vikki Jane Vile, 31 March 2024

Dancing Dutch for Dutch National Ballet comprises four different works, not all by Dutch choreographers, which show off the depth and breadth of a company in great shape.

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Dutch National Ballet in Milena Sidorova's Tenzij © Altin Kaftira

Fearless and captivating, Dancing Dutch is a romp of a programme

By Vikki Jane Vile

Daniele Bonelli in Demis Volpi's Non-Fiction Études © Daniel Sensek

What can dance say about crime? Ballett am Rhein offer a theatrical response

By Vikki Jane Vile, 05 April 2024

The appetite for all things true crime is not a new trend. Podcasts, YouTubers, influencers and documentaries, this obsession has held a captive audience for well over a decade now.

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Daniele Bonelli in Demis Volpi's Non-Fiction Études © Daniel Sensek

What can dance say about crime? Ballett am Rhein offer a response

By Vikki Jane Vile

Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Dominique Dumais’ A Kiss to the World © Ingo Schäfer

A kiss that lacks passion: Ballett am Rhein presents A Kiss to the World

By Vikki Jane Vile, 26 January 2024

Dominique Dumais ultimately seeks to address how humans long for contact and closeness, and explore the different meanings there can be behind a kiss.

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Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Dominique Dumais’ A Kiss to the World © Ingo Schäfer

Lacking passion: Ballett am Rhein presents A Kiss to the World

By Vikki Jane Vile

Carmen Demirtash as Marie and Filipp Sartorelli as the Nutcracker in Uralsky's The Nutcracker © Ballet of the State Opera Stara Zagora Bulgary

Stara Zagora thrill German audiences despite flaws

By Vikki Jane Vile, 22 December 2023

As a long time Londoner, Nutcracker fatigue was a real thing. It turns out we’ve been spoiled. Things are a little different on the mainland of the continent.

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Carmen Demirtash as Marie and Filipp Sartorelli as the Nutcracker in Uralsky's The Nutcracker © Ballet of the State Opera Stara Zagora Bulgary

Stara Zagora thrill German audiences despite flaws

By Vikki Jane Vile

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Ella Rothschild's Petroesjka © OBV/Filip Van Roe

Two classic stories, refreshed with humour in an engrossing double bill

By Vikki Jane Vile, 16 December 2023

Opera Ballet Vlaanderen are offering up the ultimate antidote to frothy Christmas traditions with an original double bill featuring two premieres.

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Opera Ballet Vlaanderen in Ella Rothschild's Petroesjka © OBV/Filip Van Roe

Two classic stories, refreshed with humour in an engrossing bill

By Vikki Jane Vile

Doris Becker (Bathilde) and Futaba Ishizaki (Giselle) © Bettina Stöß

Demis Volpi's very modern Giselle: memorable but not fully formed

By Vikki Jane Vile, 12 November 2023

There are many ways to tell the story of Giselle, and Demis Volpi’s version for Ballett am Rhein offers up more than the odd surprise.

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Doris Becker (Bathilde) and Futaba Ishizaki (Giselle) © Bettina Stöß

Demis Volpi's very modern Giselle: memorable but not fully formed

By Vikki Jane Vile

Weronika Frodyma as Emma Bovary and Alexandre Cagnat as Leon in Christian Spuck's Bovary © Serghei Gherciu

Spuck delivers compelling drama in Staatsballett's season opener

By Vikki Jane Vile, 24 October 2023

Newly appointed Director of Staatsballett Berlin, Christian Spuck makes his mark with this season opener, a world premiere of Bovary, a ballet based on Gustave Flaubert’s classic novel of 1856.

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Weronika Frodyma as Emma Bovary and Alexandre Cagnat as Leon in Christian Spuck's Bovary © Serghei Gherciu

Spuck delivers compelling drama in Staatsballett's season opener

By Vikki Jane Vile

Futaba Ishizaki and Daniele Bonelli in George Balanchine's Rubies © Roman Novitsky

Ambitious programme offers mixed results for Ballett am Rhein

By Vikki Jane Vile, 13 October 2023

Programming three choreographers who are always box office favourites is as sure fire a hit for Ballett am Rhein who debut this neoclassical triple bill featuring a selection of successes.

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Futaba Ishizaki and Daniele Bonelli in George Balanchine's Rubies © Roman Novitsky

Ambitious programme offers mixed results for Ballett am Rhein

By Vikki Jane Vile

Vadim Muntagirov as Basilio in Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote © Andrej Uspenski

The Royal Ballet's Don Quixote delivers a crowd-pleasing romp

By Vikki Jane Vile, 30 September 2023

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote is a dazzling production which stands out for its lack of filler moments. There are no slow crowd scenes, just flat out dancing.

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Vadim Muntagirov as Basilio in Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote © Andrej Uspenski

The Royal Ballet's Don Quixote delivers a crowd-pleasing romp

By Vikki Jane Vile

Kyiv City Ballet © Andy Weekes

Kyiv City Ballet: seeking peace through heartfelt performances

By Vikki Jane Vile, 28 September 2023

In February 2022, Kyiv City Ballet embarked upon a three week tour of France having finally recovered from scheduling disruption due to COVID, and haven't been back since.

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Kyiv City Ballet © Andy Weekes

Kyiv City Ballet: seeking peace through heartfelt performances

By Vikki Jane Vile

Dutch National Ballet in William Forsythe's The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude © Sasha Gouliaev

Short, sharp adrenaline hit: Dutch National Ballet thrill in Forsythe

By Vikki Jane Vile, 18 June 2023

Triple bills featuring works by William Forsythe are fast becoming de rigeur. Dutch National Ballet have taken up the challenge and appear to revel in it.

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Dutch National Ballet in William Forsythe's The Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude © Sasha Gouliaev

Short, sharp adrenaline hit: Dutch National Ballet thrill in Forsythe

By Vikki Jane Vile

Gustavo Carvalho and Futaba Ishizaki in Jerome Robbins' The Cage © Bettina Stöß

Worth the sacrifice? Ballett am Rhein's Sacre offers mixed results

By Vikki Jane Vile, 28 May 2023

The programme’s middle work sees a detour from Stravinsky, to the music of Richard Strauss, lending itself to more lyrical work and some respite from the drama it's sandwiched between.

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Gustavo Carvalho and Futaba Ishizaki in Jerome Robbins' The Cage © Bettina Stöß

Worth the sacrifice? Ballett am Rhein's Sacre offers mixed results

By Vikki Jane Vile

Introdans in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Corpus Bach © Hans Gerritsen

Introdans: Bach elevates in this powerful but repetitive triple bill

By Vikki Jane Vile, 11 May 2023

Introdans is a company of skilled dancers, and whilst the results may not be thrilling, they are nevertheless engaging.

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Introdans in Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui's Corpus Bach © Hans Gerritsen

Introdans: Bach elevates in this powerful but repetitive triple bill

By Vikki Jane Vile

Opera Wrocławska Ballet in Flight © Bartłomiej Dębicki/FRU Media

Fast paced and original: three Polish premieres arrive in Wrocław

By Vikki Jane Vile, 01 April 2023

There is no specific spotlight in any of the pieces. In all three, the choreography is shared and there are no grand solos or flashy principals to steal attention.

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Opera Wrocławska Ballet in Flight © Bartłomiej Dębicki/FRU Media

Fast paced and original: three Polish premieres arrive in Wrocław

By Vikki Jane Vile

Ballett am Rhein in Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia © Bettina Stöß

Ballett am Rhein: engaging, intoxicating, emotive and not one plot!

By Vikki Jane Vile, 25 February 2023

Ballett am Rhein offered three pieces with no narrative, but this triple bill has broad appeal across the full spectrum of ballet and dance.

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Ballett am Rhein in Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia © Bettina Stöß

Ballett am Rhein: engaging, intoxicating, emotive and not one plot!

By Vikki Jane Vile

Staatsballett Berlin in Alexander Ekman's Cacti © Yan Revazov

Ek and Ekman's subversive double bill is enjoyable madness

By Vikki Jane Vile, 21 February 2023

The latest double bill from Staatsballett Berlin features witty, high energy and thought provoking works by Mats Ek and Alexander Ekman, though the audience may not fathom their meaning.

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Staatsballett Berlin in Alexander Ekman's Cacti © Yan Revazov

Ek and Ekman's subversive double bill is enjoyable madness

By Vikki Jane Vile

Nikla Jendrics, Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Coppélia X Machina © Ingo Schaefer

Blackburn's futuristic Coppélia makes these robots hard to love

By Vikki Jane Vile, 01 February 2023

Bleak adaptations of ballet classics are somewhat of a ballet trend at present, with Matthew Bourne’s gothic Sleeping Beauty playing to sell out audiences over Christmas

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Nikla Jendrics, Ensemble Ballett am Rhein in Coppélia X Machina © Ingo Schaefer

Blackburn's futuristic Coppélia makes these robots hard to love

By Vikki Jane Vile