BBC Dance

Phoenix Dance Theatre performs Sharon Watson’s Windrush: Movement of the People, a contemporary dance work exploring the narrative of the arrival of SS Empire Windrush that brought the first Caribbean migrants to the UK. The work is a lively celebration of the rise of multicultural Britain and features an uplifting soundtrack, which draws on calypso, jazz, gospel and reggae, with original music created by Christella Litras. Set and costume design is by Eleanor Bull. Commended by audiences and critics since its premiere at Leeds Playhouse in 2018, Phoenix Dance Theatre’s production has toured UK venues to sold-out auditoriums and festivals. This production was supported by The Space and was filmed at Production Park in December 2018.

Wife, mother, lover, empress. The extraordinary story of Queen Victoria, brought to life by Northern Ballet and choreographed by Cathy Marston. Premiered on 9 March 2019, and coinciding with the year that marks the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth, Northern Ballet’s Victoria captures the passions, tragedies and fierce devotion of the life of one of Britain’s most memorable monarchs. Victoria’s diaries revealed intimate details of a life so fascinating that her daughter Princess Beatrice tried to rewrite history, removing any detail that might embarrass the royal family. The ballet is the story of Victoria’s amazing life, seen through the eyes of her youngest child and lifelong companion Beatrice as she relives her memories of her mother as a secluded widow before discovering sides to her that she never knew. As she transcribes her mother’s diaries, Beatrice comes to discover Victoria’s progression from a lonely young princess to a confident ruler, her passionate love affair with Albert and her descent into all-consuming grief after his untimely death. Victoria was a mother, lover, wife and empress, and Beatrice, her ever-loving daughter, has left us with this incredible story to tell. This performance of Victoria was filmed live at Sadler's Wells, London during the ballet's 2019 world premiere tour.

A glittering winter fairy tale from Scottish Ballet celebrating love, friendship and the festive season. This new production, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved tale, brings life and colour to the story, transporting audiences to a place of wonder. From the bustle of a winter’s market to the shivers of a fairy-tale forest, the enthralling production breathes life into a colourful cast of characters. Take a journey to the Snow Queen’s palace and find her surrounded by the icy fragments of an enchanted mirror. Choreographed by Christopher Hampson – the artistic director and CEO of Scottish Ballet – and designed by award-winning Lez Brotherson, The Snow Queen is a treat for the whole family. The production was filmed live at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre and celebrates the company’s 50th anniversary year.

Katie Derham introduces highlights from the past ten years at the Royal Ballet. Presented on location in Covent Garden at the iconic Royal Opera House, Katie weaves the history of ballet through carefully curated excerpts from the past decade of performances and goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to be a dancer in the company of the Royal Ballet as they prepare to take to the stage. From the great classics of The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker to the exciting frontiers of contemporary dance, Katie takes us on a romp through the repertory, showcasing the diversity of the UK’s biggest ballet company. With stunning solos, passionate pas de deux and jaw-dropping numbers for the corps de ballet, it is a chance to see your favourite dancers up close, including Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez, Natalia Osipova and Steven McRae, alongside rising stars like Francesca Hayward and Matthew Ball, who will introduce their favourite ballets and share stories of their life on the stage. The ballets featured include the classics Giselle, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker while the 20th-century heritage of the Royal Ballet is explored in works by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. The contemporary life of the company is showcased in works by Liam Scarlett, Christopher Wheeldon and Wayne McGregor.