ENB: R:Evolution showcases tenacity, legacy and talent

English National Ballet in George Balanchine's Theme and Variations

Emily Suzuki and Rentaro Nakaaki in Martha Graham's Errand into the Maze

Rhys Antoni Yeomans in William Forsythe's Herman Schmerman (Quintet)

English National Ballet in William Forsythe's Herman Schmerman (Quintet)

Sangeun Lee, Gareth Haw and Lorenzo Trossello in David Dawson's Four Last Songs

English National Ballet in David Dawson's Four Last Songs

By Deborah Weiss, 02 October 2025

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“Dawson has created something transcendental”

Reviewed at Sadler's Wells Theatre, London on 1 October 2025

Theme and Variations (George Balanchine)

Errand into the Maze (Martha Graham)

Herman Schmerman (William Forsythe)

Four Last Songs (David Dawson)

English National Ballet

Maria Seletskaja, Conductor

Roberta Guidi di Bagno, Set Designer

Martha Graham, Costume Designer

Marco Filibeck, Lighting Designer

English National Ballet Philharmonic

Isamu Noguchi, Set Designer

William Forsythe, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Lighting Designer

Niels Lanz, Sound Design

Eno Henze, Set Designer

Yumiko Takeshima, Costume Designer

Bert Dalhuysen, Lighting Designer

Madeleine Pierard, Soprano

Good vibrations: Robbins, Balanchine and Bach at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 13th May

Concerto Barocco and The Goldberg Variations make an unbeatable, timeless pairing at New York City Ballet.

*****

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.

*****

Ballet for cowboys and soldiers at Kansas City Ballet

Hilary Stroh, 20th March

Kansas City Ballet celebrate the USA’s 250th anniversary with three American ballets. Balanchine's Stars and Stripes, de Mille's Rodeo and a new work by Caili Quan, A Home Away.

****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

A spectacular triple bill lifts ABT’s spring season in New York

Leigh Donlan, 13th March

A finely curated triple bill from American Ballet Theatre included works from Balanchine, Jiří Kylián and Alexei Ratmansky.

****1

Understatement and spectacle at New York City Ballet

Carla Escoda, 26th February

Jerome Robbins' Dances at a Gathering and George Balanchine's Diamonds make a study in contrasts. With lots of debuts in the former and seasoned leads in the latter.

*****

More reviews...

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.

ENB: R:Evolution at Sadler’s Wells showcases tenacity, legacy and talent