Credit: Deborah Jaffe
By Grace Hatchell
Grace Hatchell is writing this one from the back row of Leicester’s Curve, trying very hard not to attempt a pas de deux with her postbag. Nobody needs to see that before lunchtime, love. But when BALLET NIGHTS comes calling, even a Yorkshire postie has to sit up straight and pretend she knows what “turnout” means.
BALLET NIGHTS brings one-of-a-kind dance experience to Leicester’s Curve for one night only
BALLET NIGHTS is heading to Leicester’s Curve theatre for one night only on Saturday 6 June, bringing with it an evening of world-class dance, live music and performances from internationally renowned artists.
The one-of-a-kind variety show will be hosted by journalist and presenter Jamie Body, guiding audiences through a curated evening of modern masterpieces, legacy classics and new discoveries. Think less “silent staring at the stage wondering if you’re cultured enough” and more “come closer, love, let’s meet the artists and the stories behind the movement.”
The programme features Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw, both lead principals of English National Ballet, who will perform Metamorphosis I by multi-award-winning choreographer David Dawson. The pair will also appear in the White Swan Pas De Deux from Act II of Swan Lake, bringing a touch of classical grandeur to the evening.
And if Grace knows anything, it’s that Swan Lake has the power to make even the most chaotic inbox feel elegant for five minutes.
BALLET NIGHTS is designed as a new dance experience for the stage, blending classical work, contemporary performance, emerging choreography and live music into one accessible, social night out. It aims to bring audiences closer to dance itself, whether they are lifelong ballet lovers or wandering in for the first time with curiosity and a nice coat.
The evening will also include powerful solo work from multidisciplinary artist Guy Salim, alongside a world premiere from rising star Liam Woodvine. His new piece, BREATH, is a BALLET NIGHTS commission made possible by The Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, underlining BALLET NIGHTS’ commitment to supporting new choreography and fresh creative voices.
Live music will be performed by Quartet Concrète, whose credits include performances across the UK and Europe at venues including the Barbican, Holker Hall and Cité Musicale Metz.
Since launching in London in 2023, BALLET NIGHTS has presented more than 20 different dance programmes, showcasing over 20 artists across 120 acts, with performances expanding to Brisbane, Glasgow, Bucharest and now a UK tour.
Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, Founder and Artistic Director of BALLET NIGHTS, said:
“This performance of BALLET NIGHTS marks our first arrival in Leicester at Curve, as part of our first UK tour. With an established dance audience and world-class facilities, Curve is the perfect stage for our limited edition, one-night-only programme, bringing together artists from across the international dance landscape.
“Balancing legacy with new voices, it is collaborative global dance thinking, curated for those discovering BALLET NIGHTS for the first time, and those already part of our growing journey.”
The full Leicester programme includes Intermezzo and Shine No More, performed by Quartet Concrète; Sleeping Beauty Act III Pas De Deux, performed by Anri Sugiura and Jakob Wheway-Hughes, Emerging Dancers 2026 of English National Ballet; Atlas, a new Rambert PLATFORM creation choreographed and performed by Chrysanthi Nikolaou and Django Bates-Blower; REPLICA, performed by Ballet Central; SPLICE, choreographed and performed by Ekleido; White Swan Pas De Deux from Swan Lake; Handel Halvorsen Passacaglia, performed by Anna Brown and Joseph Barker; Temperature, choreographed and performed by Guy Salim; BREATH, choreographed and performed by Liam Woodvine; and Metamorphosis I, performed by Sangeun Lee and Gareth Haw.
Grace’s verdict from the village noticeboard? This sounds like a proper treat for ballet fans — but also a clever invitation for anyone who has ever thought dance might be beautiful but slightly intimidating. BALLET NIGHTS seems to open the door, offer you a seat, and say: don’t worry, love, we’ll guide you through it.
BALLET NIGHTS comes to Leicester’s Curve theatre for one night only on Saturday 6 June.
Tickets are on sale now.
To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in person.
Curve is located at 60 Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB.
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