International Draft Works at the Linbury brought much to delight

Archie Sherman and Noah Benzie-Drayton in Staves

Tene Ward and Agnes Su in Gush

Silas Henriksen and Nell Ramstad-Pedersen in un:discovered

Gladys Foggea and Maxime Thomas in À perte de vue et au-delà

Caspar Lench and Martin Diaz in Words to the Wind

By Amanda Jennings, 17 April 2026

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“soon developed into an interesting, superbly crafted piece with satisfyingly broad movement”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House: Linbury Theatre, London on 16 April 2026

Mixed Programme

The Royal Ballet

Joshie Harriette, Lighting Designer

Northern Ballet

National Ballet of Japan

Ballet D'Jerri

Norwegian National Ballet

National Ballet of Canada

Royal Danish Ballet

The Dutch National Ballet’s Hans van Manen in Carré

Mark Vicente, 30th April

Dutch National Ballet give an exemplary account of a quadruple bill comprised of the late Hans van Manen’s works. It’s a wonderful tribute to the great master choreographer.

*****

A triumphant Romeo and Juliet from Philadelphia Ballet

Leigh Donlan, 30th April

Juliano Nunes’ Romeo and Juliet for Philadelphia Ballet works on all fronts: as a visual spectacle with highly original choreography and as a vehicle for cultivating memorable performances.

****1

Ballet Nights 011 – Convergence a winning formula at Cadogan Hall

Deborah Weiss, 29th April

Another tick for the Ballet Nights team, the audience at Cadogan Hall enjoying a varied and exceptional programme of new and legacy works.

****1

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.

*****

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.

*****

The Australian Ballet does Romeo and Juliet: precision over passion

Katie Lawrence, 24th April

This revival of Romeo and Juliet combines vivid staging and technical leads, but the lover's careful partnership lacks the volatility that makes young love convincing and tragedy believable.

***11

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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.