Artiste: Ballet Black

Ballet Black deliver a compelling and cleverly chosen double bill of new works with excellent lighting, ghoulish spectres and intoxicating dancing.

A programme to show that heroism is not just about feats of action and adventure, with Ballet Black's supremely good dancers rising to each challenge.

Isabela Coracy’s performance as Nina Simone was a perfect opportunity to demonstrate that Ballet Black has a new star and she rose to the challenge with allure.

For dance companies, the National Portfolio funding for 2023-26 reveals many new names, with winners for diversity and disability and losers for established companies in London.