NBJ's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics

National Ballet of Japan in Hans van Manen's 5 Tangos

Ayako Ono and Yudai Fukuoka in Hans van Manen's 5 Tangos

National Ballet of Japan in David Dawson's A Million Kisses to my Skin

National Ballet of Japan in George Balanchine's Theme and Variations

Shogo Hayami and Yui Yonezawa in George Balanchine's Theme and Variations

By Naomi Mori, 10 February 2026

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“expansive movements, off balance, complicated partnering and extreme extensions at high speed”

Reviewed at New National Theatre, Tokyo: Opera House, Tokyo on 5 February 2026

A Million Kisses to my Skin (David Dawson)

5 Tangos (Hans van Manen)

Theme and Variations (George Balanchine)

National Ballet of Japan

Misato Tomita, Conductor

David Dawson, Set Designer

Yumiko Takeshima, Costume Designer

Bert Dalhuysen, Lighting Designer

Tokyo Symphony Orchestra

Hans van Manen, Set Designer, Lighting Designer

Jean-Paul Vroom, Costume Designer

Ryozo Makino, Set Designer

Masako Ooi, Costume Designer

Mutsumi Isono, Lighting Designer

Dutch National Ballet’s Masters of Movement: mixed results

Mark Vicente, 11th June

Dutch National Ballet presents a triple bill of interesting contemporary works that show off the depth of talent within all ranks of the company.

***11

ENB: R:Evolution showcases tenacity, legacy and talent

Deborah Weiss, 1st October

English National Ballet opens its season at Sadler’s Wells with a quadruple bill showcasing the versatility, virtuosity and endless capabilities of the company throughout the ranks.

****1

Ballet Nights makes an impressive and unforgettable Scottish debut

Kathy Elgin, 4th July

Ballet Nights is more than an evening of party pieces: it showcases emerging talent alongside older favourites and, in the case of this first Scottish outing, has an eye to local tradition.

****1

Ballett am Rhein are unrecognisable in season opener

Vikki Jane Vile, 27th October

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.

****1

Scottish Ballet: David Dawson's Swan Lake is supremely moving

Kathy Elgin, 4th April

Dawson’s stripped-down production throws the impetus immediately on his choreography, whilst keeping the bones of the story clearly in sight.

****1

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

Vikki Jane Vile, 31st March

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.

****1

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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

National Ballet of Japan's Ballet Coffret is a feast of modern classics