David Jays

As soon as the orchestra strikes up in Cinderella , you hear grief, not glitter. Prokofiev composed this score during the Second World War, and

Upstairs at the Royal Ballet , the audience enjoys Cinderella , but down in the studio theatre, the Christmas show is a version of Medea . Fairy tale above, one of the more harrowing Greek myths below.

Ben Duke’s show was a smash in 2022 and returns with the same ace cast

This production turns 30 next year, and it still remains powerfully erotic and romantic

It's a justly iconic image. The Swan stands centre stage: bare-chested, shaggy-legged, powerful arms twisting up and eyes glaring beneath a crest of black make-up.

This fun version delivers Quality Street levels of moreish pleasure

Nutcracker is ballet's annual sugar rush – a gulp of delicious dance and Tchaikovsky's music.

The author, whose latest gothic novel is inspired by his lifelong love of theatre, on his journey from stage to page – and why his house in Austin is home to a 4ft doll of Madame Tussaud

The quicksilver actor is a vocal glory as the poet and classicist AE Housman looking back at his younger, tormented self in Tom Stoppard’s play

Along with elves and emergency workers, ballerinas rarely get a festive break — three sugar plum fairies tell David Jays about living the joy of dance