As Londoners are sweating it out on the street this July, the capital’s best dancers will be sweating it out on the stage.
This month, there are cracking performances at the Southbank Centre, Sadler’s Wells and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where you can catch some al fresco dance. Matthew Bourne’s sweaty motor thriller the Car Man returns to Sadler’s Wells, and hip hop legends Boy Blue are celebrating 25 years of the company. There’s also classical kathak and a new work by Hofesh Shechter coming to London.
Whether you’re looking for a last-minute night out, or have been planning an evening at the theatre for months (they have air-con!), these are the dance shows in London you should be booking this July.
India Lawrence is Time Out’s resident dance expert. Formally trained, she’s been dancing since the age of four and currently performs in a contemporary dance company outside of work. She has been reviewing contemporary dance and ballet in London since 2022.
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English National Ballet performs Kenneth MacMillan's ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, the ultimate fairy tale ballet with a sumptuous Tchaikovsky score, at the Royal Albert Hall. Very much in the traditional mould, it's a visual feast with a huge cast and gorgeous costumes. ENB has some strong young dancers who will be taking turns in the leading roles, including Emma Hawes as Aurora, Aitor Arrieta as Prince Désiré and Anri Sugiura as the Lilac Fairy
Where is it? Royal Albert Hall
Dance-theatre choreographer superstar Matthew Bourne brings back his critically acclaimed The Car Man to London for the first time since 2022. Based loosely on Bizet's opera 'Carmen' (see what he did there?), The Car Man is set in a garage-diner in ‘60s America, where small town passions are shattered by the arrival of a handsome stranger. Bourne's shows – all danced by New Adventures – are usually frolicking, brightly coloured spectacles which popularise old classics for the modern generation.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells
It feels like every choreographer is creating works inspired by raving these days, and acclaimed British choreographer – known for his tribal and high-octane style – Hofesh Shechter is one of them. Inspired by Berlin nightlife and rituals, Shechter’s new full-length work is a visceral exploration of rhythm and raw movement. We expect that his signature movement will lend itself perfectly to this piece that captures the energy of the dance floor.
Where is it? Southbank Centre
Olivier Award-winning British hip hop company Boy Blue are taking to Regent’s Park this summer for a special one-off performace. Celebrating 25 years of the company, Boy Blue’s adult companies will be popping, locking, waacking and breaking under the park’s lush trees at the open air theatre. Fancy yourself a bit of a beast on the dance floor? Ticket holders can attend a hip hop workshop hosted by Boy Blue before the show. There will also be DJs before and after the performance.
Where is it? Regent's Park Open Air Theatre
Head to this to see an evening of spellbinding classical khathak and Sufi poetry. In Sufism the bulbul is a captured songbird; the myth tells the story of sacrifice and the beauty of nature in the pursuit of religious enlightenment. In Aakash Odedra’s performance the bird becomes a metaphor for the fleeting nature of dance and life itself. The cinematic production uses an epic score from composer Rushil Ranjan.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells East
Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s joyous production which turns the Sadler’s Wells East theatre into a nightclub returns this summer. A company of young dancers from east London will help the audience find their groove on the dancefloor. Epect Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s signature blend of club styles – house, waacking and vogue – fused with African and contemporary dance.
Where is it? Sadler’s Wells East
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