Dance entertainment in Europe
-
A
Teatro Lethes
This tiny and exquisite Italianate theatre hosts drama, music and dance. Adapted into a theatre in 1874 (from a building dating to 1603), it was once the Jesuit Colégio de Santiago Maior and is now owned by the Portuguese Cruz Vermelha (Red Cross). Ask the tourist office for a list of what’s on. Other performances are often held in the modern Teatro Figuras.
reviewed
-
B
Chapter Arts Centre
Probably the city's most interesting arts venue, the Chapter has a varied programme of contemporary drama, as well as art exhibitions, workshops, alternative theatre and dance performances; it's also an appealing, arty place to hang out and there's a good café-bar with Cardiff's biggest range of beers.
reviewed
-
C
Casa de la Memoria de al-Andalus
This flamenco tablao in Santa Cruz is probably the most intimate and authentic nightly flamenco show, offering a wide variety of flamenco styles in a room of shifting shadows. Space is limited to 100, so reserve tickets in advance.
reviewed
-
D
Wrocław Opera
This venerable and recently restored music theatre is the traditional venue for opera and ballet performances.
reviewed
-
E
Bolshoi Theatre
An evening at the Bolshoi is still one of Moscow’s most romantic and entertaining options, with an electric atmosphere in the glittering six-tier auditorium. Both the ballet and opera companies perform a range of Russian and foreign works here. After the collapse of the Soviet Union the Bolshoi was marred by politics, scandal and frequent turnover. Yet the show must go on – and it will. Unlike other theatres around Moscow, it is not possible to buy tickets to the Bolshoi at the teatralnaya kassa (theatre kiosk). In theory, tickets can be reserved by phone or over the internet, or (depending on the season) it is often possible to purchase tickets at the Bolshoi’s box offic…
reviewed
-
F
Laterna Magika
Laterna Magika has been wowing audiences, both at home and abroad, ever since its first cutting-edge multimedia show caused a stir at the 1958 Brussels World Fair. Its imaginative blend of live dance, opera, music and projected images continues to pull in the crowds. Nová Scena, the futuristic glass-block building next to the National Theatre, has been home to Laterna Magika since it moved here from its birthplace in the basement of the Adria Palace in the mid-1970s. Some agencies (which charge 735Kč a ticket) may tell you it’s booked out, but you can often bag a leftover seat at the box office on the day before a performance, or a no-show seat half an hour before the sho…
reviewed
-
Sıra Geceleri
Nightlife in Urfa? In the City of Prophets, this may sound a contradiction in terms, but the evenings in Urfa are the hottest in eastern Anatolia, with high-octane dancing almost every night. What makes the city tick is the sıra geceleri , 'traditional nights' that are held in upscale restaurants. The best venues to check out are Beyzade Konak, Gülizar Konukevi, Pınarbaşı Konağı and Cevahir Konuk Evi. Send us the pictures!
Picture şark odası (lounges) where guests sit, eat, sing and dance. After the meal, a live band plays old favourites that keep revellers rocking and dancing to their hearts' content.
reviewed
-
G
Teatro San Carlo
Adjoining the square, Piazza Trieste e Trento, fronted on the northeastern side by Italy’s largest opera house, the sumptuous Teatro San Carlo.It is famed for its perfect acoustics. Locals will proudly boast that it was built in 1737, predating its northern rival, Milan’s La Scala, by 41 years. Inaugurated on 4 December 1737 by Charles VII, it was severely damaged by a fire in 1816 and rebuilt by Antonio Niccolini, the same architect who a few years before had added the facade. At the time of research, the future of the 40-minute tours of the theatre was unclear. Contact the theatre or tourist office for updates.
reviewed
-
H
Vooruit
Everything from jazz to flamenco and book-readings to lectures takes place at this left-leaning performance, theatre, arts and cultural space. This impressive building, on the edge of the student quarter and close to the revamped Zuid district, was built in 1912 as a cultural centre for the Socialist Party and is worth a look in itself. Students congregate in the vast open-plan foyer bar for coffee or drinks; you can also get hot, wholesome meals for under around €8 between 12:30 and 15:00 and 18:00 to 20:30.
From the Korenmarkt it's about 1km, or take tram 41 to the stop 'Zuid' at Graaf van Vlaanderenplein.
reviewed
-
I
Sadler's Wells
A glittering modern venue that was, in fact, first established in the 17th century, Sadler's Wells has been given much credit for bringing modern dance to the mainstream.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Teatro Comunale Niccolò Piccinni
Since the destruction of Teatro Petruzelli, Bari's cultural life has undoubtedly constricted, but the Piccinni theatre still puts on a lively programme of dance and opera. There are a couple of other minor theatres such as Teatro Kursaal and Teatro Kismet Opera. But Teatro Comunale Niccolò Piccinni is the oldest theatre in Bari (built in 1854), and is the cultural hub of the city hosting local and international opera, music and dance seasons.
reviewed
-
K
Metro
St Petersburg’s most popular spot for teenagers, Metro is a giant venue with three dance floors, featuring Russian and European music downstairs, techno and house on the 2nd floor and the poppiest pop on the top floor. At 2am four nights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), male and female dancers clad in leather (at least at the beginning) put on an erotic show. Student nights – Monday and Wednesday – are packed.
reviewed
-
Notes Studio
If you're serious about experiencing Cyprus (or at least the Greek part), then a bouzouki club is a must. And what great fun it is too. Notes Studio specialises in live performances, bringing over Greek performers, who throw themselves about (and you, if you let them) until dawn. It's your chance to try yourself at Zorba the Greek dancing, but beware: strong thighs are necessary. Your first drink is included in the admission price.
reviewed
-
L
National Theatre
The glorious, golden-roofed centrepiece of the Czech National Revival, the much-loved National Theatre provided a stage for the re-emergence of Czech culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today you’ll find traditional opera, drama and ballet by the likes of Smetana, Shakespeare and Tchaikovsky sharing the programme, alongside more modern works by composers and playwrights such as Philip Glass and John Osborne.
reviewed
-
M
Teatro Argentina
Rome’s foremost theatre is one of the two official homes of the Teatro di Roma; the other is the Teatro India. Founded in 1732, it retains its original frescoed ceiling and a grand gilt-and-velvet auditorium. Rossini’s Barber of Seville premiered here. Today it hosts major theatre and dance productions, with occasional performances in English. Book early for the dance productions, which often sell out.
reviewed
-
N
The Place
One of the most exciting modern dance venues, the Place was the birthplace of modern British dance. It concentrates on challenging, contemporary and experimental choreography. Behind the late-Victorian facade you’ll find a 300-seat theatre, an arty, creative cafe atmosphere and six training studios. The Place sponsors an annual dance award, ‘Place Prize’, which strives to seek out and award new and outstanding dance talent.
reviewed
-
O
Croatian National Theatre
This neobaroque theatre, established in 1895, stages opera and ballet performances. You have a choice of parket (orchestra), lože (lodge) or balkon (balcony) seats. Check out Ivan Meštrović's sculpture The Well of Life (1905) standing in front. The theatre was designed in 1894 by Herman Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, the same team that designed the Art Pavilion.
reviewed
-
P
Kremlin Ballet Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre doesn’t have a monopoly on ballet in Moscow. Leading dancers also appear with the Kremlin Ballet and the Moscow Classical Ballet Theatre, and both companies perform here. The Bolshoi is magical, but seeing a show inside the Kremlin is something special too, and the repertoire is similarly classical. The box office is in the underground passageway, near the entrance to the metro station.
reviewed
-
Q
Volksoper
The Volksoper (People’s Opera) specialises in operettas, dance performances, musicals and a handful of standard, heavier operas. Standing tickets go for €2 to €6 and, like many venues, there are a plethora of discounts and reduced tickets for sale 30 minutes before performances. Some feel the small space lends itself to a more intimate, and better, listening experience. The Volksoper closes for July and August.
reviewed
-
R
Oleg Danovski Ballet Theatre
The more literary should head to the Metamorfoze State Drama Theatre & Opera in the central park. You can get tickets at the ticket office . The theatre is also home to the Black Sea Philharmonic (Filarmonica Marea Neagră) and the Oleg Danovski Ballet Theatre . The Agenţie de Bilete also sells tickets for all performances.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Royal Ballet
Although the Royal Ballet's programme has been fluffed up by modern influences, classical ballet is still its bread and butter. This is where to head if you want to see traditional performances such as Giselle or Romeo & Juliet, performed by stars such as Sylvie Guillem, Irek Mukhamedov and Tamara Rojo. There are same-day tickets, one per customer, and half-price stand-by tickets.
reviewed
-
T
Central Ticket Office
Just like they were during the Soviet Union, the performing arts here are of very good quality, and tickets are priced to make them accessible to the proletariat. Opera performances are held at 19:00 on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Ballet performances are at 19:00 on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. To buy advance tickets or to find out what's on, head to the Central Ticket Office .
reviewed
-
U
Bar&Co
Just before Malasaña spills over into the seedy backside of Gran Vía, Bar&Co is an outstanding live venue with jazz, flamenco, Latin music, funk, rock or blues. There’s room to dance if the mood takes you and the crowd is almost exclusively local. There’s a jazz jam session at 12.15am on Sunday, and flamenco star Enrique Morente is known to turn up here as well.
reviewed
-
V
Ballet Preljocaj
The Ballet Preljocaj is the redident dance company at the architecturally daring Centre Chorégraphique National. The cutting-edge Preljocaj, founded in 1984, presents some of Europe's most creative - and at times shocking - works. Performance schedules are posted on the company's website; its other programmes (when not on tour) include dance workshops for adults and children.
reviewed
-
W
New Ballet
If you can’t stand to see another Swan Lake, you will be pleased to know that the New Ballet performs innovative contemporary dance. This performance art, called ‘plastic ballet’, incorporates elements of classical and modern dance, as well as pantomime and drama. The theatre is tiny, providing an up-close look at original, cutting-edge choreography.
reviewed
