In August things slow down a bit in the dance world – ballerinas need summer holidays too, you know.
However, that doesn’t mean that Londoners will be totally deprived of dance on stage this month. The Peaky Blinders ballet comes back to town, and Stratford East is staging a new version of Romeo & Juliet, co-produced with emerging dance artists and local community talent. Meanwhile Camden Fringe will include several new and experimental works.
Here’s our pick of the best dance in London this August.
India is in charge of dance listings at Time Out. She was first shoved into a leotard and ballet shoes aged four, and has loved it ever since. Nowadays India prefers contemporary (or dancing in a sweaty club) to ballet, but still has a soft spot for the odd grand jeté every now and again. India has been reviewing dance in London since joining Time Out in 2022.
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Rambert’s well-reviewed dance-theatre spin-off of the beloved Brummie gangster drama is back on stage this August, returning for the first time to London since 2022. Choreographed and directed by Rambert’s artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer, the Peaky Blinders ballet essentially serves as a prequel to the TV series, following characters Tommy Shelby and Grace Burgess and their heated love affair during the First World War.
Where is it? Sadlers Wells Theatre
Fair Verona is making way for Stratford this summer in this all-new dance-theatre production of the Shakespeare tragedy, set in east London. Created in collaboration with Stratford East, emerging artists, local community talent, and professionals, Stratty’s tale of two star-crossed lovers promises to deliver grit, passion, invigorating dance and whole lot of east London soul.
Where is it? Stratford East
Edinburgh isn't the only place with a bursting, brilliant fringe, and indeed as the Scottish capital’s iconic annual event becomes ever more expensive, the once scrappy outsider Camden Fringe looks ever more like a serious alternative for the London-based. And there’s not just comedy to look forward to, as the London festival is staging a number of experimental and innovative dance works this year. Shows to check out include Uproar, an exploration of protest and rebellion; Tango in silk, telling the story of an East Asian woman arriving in the UK through a fusion of Argentine tango and Chinese qipao style; and The Forty Elephants, a contemporary jazz show telling the true story of an all-woman crime gang that operated during the 1920s in London. Peaky Blinders, eat your heart out.
Fan of Riverdance? You will probably enjoy Éireann, a new production by Celtic dance company A Taste Of Ireland. Performed by a cast of world-class dancers – which includes alumni of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance – the show highlights the athleticism and precision of Irish dance, elevated by contemporary choreography and paired with live rhythm. The dancing is accompanied by vocals from a live trio, as well as a modern score that pays homage to traditional Irish music.
Where is it? Peacock Theatre
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