Dutch National Ballet is on solid ground with season opener Monument

Dutch National Ballet in In Flux by Juanjo Arqués

Dutch National Ballet in Rudi van Dantzig's Monument for a Dead Boy

Dutch National Ballet in Toer van Schayk's 7th Symphony

By Mark Vicente, 21 September 2025

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“interlocked in intimate exchanges while propelling one another in graceful, gravity defying lifts”

Reviewed at Dutch National Opera and Ballet, Amsterdam on 19 September 2025

Monument for a Dead Boy (Rudi van Dantzig)

7th Symphony (Toer van Schayk)

In Flux (World premiere) (Juanjo Arqués)

Dutch National Ballet

Thomas Jung, Conductor

Toer van Schayk, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer

Dutch National Ballet Orchestra

Jan Hofstra, Lighting Designer

Tatyana van Walsum, Set Designer, Costume Designer

Yaron Abulafia, Lighting Designer

Fabienne Vegt, Dramaturgy

Dutch National Ballet's Romeo and Juliet: self-assured

Mark Vicente, 2nd November

While Rudi van Dantzig's production of Romeo and Juliet was buoyed by confident dancing and stylised acting, it falters somewhat under its own dramaturgy.

****1

Fall for Dance Program 4: eclectic but uneven at New York City Center

Ivy Lin, 24th September

A very diverse mixed bill for Fall for Dance showed some top notch dancing though it was not entirely successful choreographically.

***11

Northern Ballet in Three Short Ballets: a compelling programme

Deborah Weiss, 28th January

Northern Ballet's latest triple bill at the Linbury proves to be a magnificent vehicle for the company.

****1

Hungarian National Ballet's Swan Lake is long but rich in detail

Graham Watts, 18th March

This expanded Swan Lake celebrated the return of an exceptional ballerina after a year's lay-off as well as displaying the depth of talent within the company.

****1

A Swan Lake of awe inspiring beauty in Amsterdam

Lambrecht Wessels, 16th March

This Swan Lake is a continued homage to classical female beauty and awe-inspiring dancing. The swans' collective mourning at Siegfried’s betrayal and its consequences are palpable.

****1

Dutch Masters opens DNB's season

Lambrecht Wessels, 14th September

Dutch summer Romance? Yes, that's a thing. With some virtuoso dancing thrown in for good measure.

****1

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Mark Vicente

Mark Vicente hails from Montreal, Canada and has lived in Amsterdam for the last 10 years. He has over 30 years of experience in the arts and entertainment industry. Mark graduated from Canada’s National Ballet School and was in the corps de ballet with The National Ballet of Canada. He also performed in the Toronto production of Disney’s The Lion King and spent two seasons at The Stratford Festival of Canada. Presently, Mark is completing his MA in Comparative Cultural Analysis at the University of Amsterdam. His Substack, Lives After Dark, focuses on creative fiction and reflective essays on Amsterdam’s nightlife scene.