Gala De Danza in London: a gathering of star quality in many genres

Viola Pantuso of The Royal Ballet in Flames of Paris

William Close and The Earth Harp

Vsevelod Maievskyi and Melissa Hamilton in Caravaggio

Francesca Hayward and Cesar Corrales in Act 3 of Onegin

Kayla Mak and Braylon Browner in Romeo and Juliet

Shale Wagman of the Paris Opera Ballet in Flames of Paris

By Amanda Jennings, 28 June 2025

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“both are able, through artistry, to send emotion out into the very back of the auditorium”

Reviewed at Central Hall Westminster, London on 26 June 2025

Mixed Programme

Rambert

Francesca Hayward, Dancer

Jakub Józef Orliński, Countertenor

Sadeck Berrabah, Dancer

Cesar Corrales, Dancer

Anton & Patrizia, Dancer

Viola Pantuso, Dancer

Vsevolod Maievskyi, Dancer

Melissa Hamilton, Dancer

Shale Wagman, Dancer

Emma Von Enck, Dancer

William Close, Earth Harp

Enesa Berisha, Vocals

Kayla Mak, Dancer

Braylon Browner, Dancer

Nikolas Gaifullin, Dancer

Andres Zuniga, Dancer

The Royal Ballet and McGregor: stunning dancing but nothing really new

Deborah Weiss, 18th April

An evening of ballets by Wayne McGregor, including the world premiere of Quantum Souls, proved to be a little too much of the same thing.

***11

The Center Will Not Hold: Dorrance Dance thrills at Sadler's Wells

Daniel Pratt, 17th April

Dorrance Dance offer a compelling mix of genres in The Center Will Not Hold – high energy, full of surprises, top quality performances.

****1

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

Pop goes postmodern: Kyle Abraham's Cassette Vol. 1 in New York

Carla Escoda, 16th April

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham with guest artist Taylor Stanley bring a postmodern vibe to an early MTV-era playlist. One of the most bewitching things you're likely to encounter this year.

*****

Scottish Ballet’s Starstruck: plenty of pzazz in Glasgow

Kathy Elgin, 16th April

Christopher Hampson’s newly updated Starstruck is thoroughly entertaining with sexy solos, classical pas de deux and lines of perfectly-timed Broadway hoofing.

****1

International Draft Works at the Linbury brought much to delight

Amanda Jennings, 16th April

The Royal Ballet's International Draft Works proved to be an excellent opportunity to see dancers and budding choreographers from around the world.

****1

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Amanda Jennings

Amanda wrote for Dance Europe for twelve years and has also written for Dance Australia and Dance International. She trained at Arts Educational and with David Howard, Melissa Hayden, Patricia Wilde and Valentina Pereyaslavec in New York. She danced for two years with New Jersey Ballet, and in the UK with Vienna Festival Ballet and Vyvyan Lorrayne’s London’s Imperial Ballet. Her freelance career included work with the Royal Opera, ENO, film, television and modelling. She was in the original cast of On Your Toes with Natalia Makarova. Amanda also taught extensively and holds the diploma of the PDTC at the RAD with Distinction.