American Ballet Theatre's legacy works: vintage or dated?

American Ballet Theatre in Mikhail Fokine's Les Sylphides

Christine Shevchenko, Chloe Misseldine and Zimmi Coker in Antony Tudor's Gala Performance

Jarod Curley, Skylar Brandt and Jake Roxander in Agnes de Mille's Rodeo

By Ivy Lin, 18 October 2025

Loading, please wait...

See full listing

“Stern face, effortless balances in absurd positions. What’s not to love?”

Reviewed at Lincoln Center: David H Koch Theater, New York City on 17 October 2025

Les Sylphides (Mikhail Fokine)

Gala Performance (Antony Tudor)

Rodeo (Agnes de Mille)

American Ballet Theatre

Alexandre Benois, Set Designer

Lucinda Ballard, Costume Designer

Nananne Porcher, Lighting Designer

American Ballet Theatre Orchestra

Jennifer Tipton, Lighting Designer

Oliver Smith, Set Designer

Santo Loquasto, Costume Designer

Thomas R Skelton, Lighting Designer

Mira Nadon’s sparkling debut in Firebird with New York City Ballet

Ivy Lin, 25th April

A triple bill comprising Balanchine's Symphony in C, Agon and Firebird could not have been more inspiringly danced by New York City Ballet.

*****

A Diaghilev celebration from BRB2

Mark Pullinger, 6th May

Carlos Acosta devises a programme of Ballets Russes highlights to celebrate Serge Diaghilev and to showcase the young dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s junior company, BRB2.

****1

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

Naomi Mori, 15th March

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.

****1

Ballet Nights: an intimate evening with star quality

Deborah Weiss, 29th September

Ballet Nights offers a wonderful variety of dancing and genres. Whatever your preference, there are quality performances to enjoy.

***11

BRB2 in Carlos Acosta's Classical Selection is full of vitality

Graham Watts, 25th April

With five founding dancers in BRB2, this inaugural dance salad was embellished with other ingredients including the addition of seven members from the main company.

****1

A showcase for Ukrainian ballet at Sadler's Wells

Graham Watts, 7th September

Ivan Putrov, who has enjoyed a long career based in London, brings dancers from his homeland for a special London gala.

***11

More reviews...

Ivy Lin

Ivy Lin's love of ballet began in high school when at the school dance she quickly realized she had two left feet. One always admires things one cannot do, and so Ivy began to attend dance performances to marvel at the grace and beauty of bodies in motion. Ivy's day job is a biology teacher and after a long day in the classroom she loves to unwind by watching dance. She also enjoys theater, opera, pop and classical music. Ivy has her own blog (www.humbledandoverwhelmed,blogspot.com)