The best dance and ballet shows in October 2024

Flamenco meets drag in this larger-than-live show from award-winning choreographer and dancer, Manuel Liñán, which comes to the Peacock Theatre this October. Inspired by childhood dreams of wearing his female idols’ costumes, Liñán’s work combines the strongest elements of the flamenco form with his own creative and comedic queer expression. The performance features dances showcasing traditional rhythmic footwork, curving arms and slaps to the thighs such as alegrías, tárantos and bulerías.  

Christopher Wheeldon's 2012 ‘Alice’ was the first new full-length ballet to be commissioned by the Royal Ballet for 16 years, and the first with a new score (by Joby Talbot) for 20 years. So it's safe to say it's a big deal. The result is visually stunning, thanks to designer Bob Crowley's OTT imagination. The show returns with Francesca Hayward in the lead, along with a host of other promising dancers. The episodic nature of of the book makes creating a full-length arc nigh-on impossible and the show is full of frenetic scene changing and busy stage business and not so much actual dancing. It’s very enjoyable nonetheless, and worth a visit for the costumes alone.