The Best Dance Shows of 2025
At The Royal Ballet’s Onegin © Like Nobody’s Watching
With the year coming to a close, what better time to take a look at my favourite dance shows of the year. I saw 36 dance productions this year, including multiple Giselles and a contemporary dance legend, so getting it down to my top five was a tough ask. Let me know what your top shows of the year were!
Curtain call for the National Ballet of Japan’s Giselle © Like Nobody’s Watching
1. Giselle
National Ballet of Japan at the Royal Opera House
I couldn’t talk about this at the time as I was still working for the Royal Opera House, so it's great to finally be able to write about this ballet. Giselle has been a grower for me, and it’s taken me a while to understand and appreciate this classic ballet. But this National Ballet of Japan version won me and my friend over from the off. Fantastic acting, beautiful dancing, sumptuous sets. The complete package.
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Marianela Nuñez and Roberto Bolle take a bow at The Royal Ballet’s Onegin © Like Nobody’s Watching
2. Onegin
The Royal Ballet
Gimme drama and I’m a happy girl. Luckily, John Cranko’s ballet based on the Pushkin classic has it in spades: a woman’s unrequited love finally falling her for years later when she’s moved on, a duel between friends. Dancers give their all in this dramatic period drama which demands much of them due to its powerful duets. This particular performance starred Roberto Bolle and Marianela Nuñez, two ballet superstars. The theatre was electric throughout, as was stage door where I finally met Nela in an impromptu meet and greet (followed by a breakdown on Floral Street), as well as some of you! Truly a night to remember.
Honorary Royal Ballet mentions: Balanchine: Three Signature Works for introducing me to the work Serenade (sublime) and Romeo and Juliet as it had been a bucket list item to see Fumi Kaneko’s Juliet.
Ballet Opera Lyon, BeachBirds © Agathe Poupeney
3. BeachBirds
Merce Cunningham. Performed by Lyon Opera Ballet.
I am obsessed with Merce Cunningham. After watching this brilliant work (part of a Cunningham double bill) I went home and fell down an internet rabbit hole researching him. I must say, I got quite nerdy/excited working out how the work of the late choreographer influenced those working today, such as Wayne McGregor. I loved seeing how he used randomness in his choreographic process, how he pulled away from classical ballet technique, and how he inserted bursts of energy into moments of calm. A genius not performed enough.
Now, Jasmin Vardimon Company, Ashford © Tristram Kenton
4. NOW
Jasmin Vardimon
Jasmin Vardimon is easily my favourite choreographic discovery of the year. I am fascinated by her style: its athleticism, its wit, its endless innovation and imagination. From brooms to camera tricks, the creativity in this anniversary show was immense. Jasmin is now top of my list for choreographers I want to interview one day, as is company member Donny Beau Ferris who blew me away in both this and ALiCE for his gymnastic abilities.
Wang Yeu-Kwn, Beings © You-Wei Chen
5. Beings
Wang Yeu-Kwn / Shimmering Production
Presented as part of the inaugural Bloom Prize, Yeu-Kwn’s paper-based work was a meditative moment away from the bustle of life. With often just the crinkle of rice paper for a soundtrack, the work still left a mark on me and I look forward to the second and third parts of this trilogy being shown to the UK in the future.
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