Ballet Nights, The New Year’s Day Concert: a win on all fronts

Gareth Haw and Constance Devernay-Laurence in Moonlight by Florent Melac

Minju Kang, Kevin Poeung and Lorenzo Trossello in Kenneth Tindall's Bitter Earth

Ekleido in their own Clinquant

Viktor Erik Emanuel and Gulshan Akin, Ballet Nights The New Year's Day Concert

Dominic Stokes, Ballet Nights, The New Year's Day Concert

Liudmila Konovalova and Gareth Haw in Act 3 pas de deux of The Sleeping Beauty

By Deborah Weiss, 02 January 2026

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“Haw effortlessly swooped her into the air with elastic pliés and expansive lines”

Reviewed at Cadogan Hall, London on 1 January 2026

Mixed Programme

Le Corsaire (excerpt) (Marius Petipa)

Bitter Earth (Kenneth Tindall)

Evanescence (Sébastien Bertaud)

Don Quixote (excerpt) (Marius Petipa)

Clinquant (Ekleido)

The Sleeping Beauty: Act III, Pas de deux (Marius Petipa)

Ballet Nights

Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Director

Liudmila Konovalova, Dancer

Gareth Haw, Dancer

Constance Devernay-Laurence, Dancer

Yasiel Hodelín Bello, Dancer

Minju Kang, Dancer

Lorenzo Trossello, Dancer

Kevin Poeung, Dancer

Viktor Erik Emanuel, Piano

Quartet Concrete

Dominic Stokes, Viola

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a feast of excellent dancing

Naomi Mori, 25th April

National Ballet of Japan’s Raymonda is a gem in the repertoire, despite shortcomings in the plot. Lavish production designs, stunning classical choreography and excellent dancers makes this a ballet lover's heaven.

*****

Acosta's Don Quixote for BRB: polished but not quite enough panache

Jonathan Gray, 23rd April

Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote for Birmingham Royal Ballet returned to Sadler's Wells with polished but low-key interpretations across the board.

***11

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

Vikki Jane Vile, 17th April

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.

****1

José Martínez unveils his latest Don Quichotte in Palermo

Vito Lentini, 29th March

José Martínez has envisioned a Don Quichotte that recalls the original 19th century choreography while also acknowledging some of the notable 20th century versions and it's splendid looking.

****1

Dutch National Ballet's reimagined La Bayadère triumphs

Mark Vicente, 26th March

Dutch National Ballet's new production of La Bayadère does away with the ballet’s problematic gestures and movements, allowing the choreography to truly shine.

****1

American Ballet Theatre's double bill is short and sweet in New York

Ivy Lin, 15th March

American Ballet Theatre presents Balanchine's Raymonda: Grand Pas Hongrois and Ratmansky's Firebird which showcases the company well and provides a strong contrast.

****1

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Deborah Weiss

Deb joined Bachtrack in 2022 and commissions reviews and writing on ballet and dance. She was Royal Ballet School-trained and is a former principal dancer for companies including London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and Bayerisches Staatsballett. She has been writing for more than 30 years – publications have included Dancing Times, DanceTabs, Dance for You and Dance Europe. She also interviews for Voices of British Ballet, an oral archive of people who have worked in the industry in the UK. In addition to her writing, since 2016 she has been facilitating programmes that support victims of domestic abuse. Deb is passionate about her rescue dog, Bruce, and daughters (not in that order), swims a mile at least five days a week and is an avid reader.

Ballet Nights, The New Year’s Day Concert: a win for both music and dance