Performer: Javier Torres

A welcome revival of Javier Torres' condensed version of The Sleeping Beauty with Finnish National Ballet provides challenges for the entire company.

Kenneth Tindall's Casanova is a rare example of an excellent British ballet on a grand scale, the most effective coup de théâtre coming in a momentous finale.

Jonathan Watkins' stage adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 is an entertaining and excellent work, presented by Northern Ballet at Leeds' West Yorkshire Playhouse. 

Inspired by Dickens’ novel of the same title, Northern Ballet’s piece really captures the essence of Dickensian London at Christmas time. Dickens’ famous renderings of the festive season made much of his work almost synonymous with Christmas. Dickens’ most popular novel, A Christmas Carol redefined the spirit of Christmas as an enduring sense of community and sharing.