News: Top dance shows to see this Christmas

Hansel & Gretel

The classic festive fairytale gets a dance makeover courtesy of Uchenna Dance, who transport the action to a big city and weave House, Waacking and Vogue with African and Contemporary Dance to create an entertaining production for ages 5+.
15–24 December, The Place

The Snowman

This family favourite – a stage adaptation of the Raymond Briggs picture book – is brought to life by Birmingham Repertory Theatre with a heart-warming mix of dance, spectacle, storytelling and live music.
Until 6 January, Peacock Theatre

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

Thrilling, audacious and emotive, Matthew Bourne’s iconic interpretation of Swan Lake is best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble. The Royal Ballet’s newest Principal, Matthew Ball, makes his New Adventures debut in the role of ‘The Swan’, as does Will Bozier and Max Westwell.
Until 27 January, Sadler’s Wells

Rumpelstiltskin

This musical from Australia’s Windmill Theatre Company promises theatrical spectacle, rocking music, colourful costumes and lots of silliness. Cabaret singer Paul Capsis stars in this UK premiere.
13 December – 6 January, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Circus 1903

Acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, trapeze artists and the award-winning puppeteers from War Horse recreate the Golden Age of circus in this turn of the century circus spectacular.
19 December – 5 January, Royal Festival Hall

The Nutcracker

There are plenty of opportunities to see this timeless ballet in the capital this year. The largest-scale production comes from Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Royal Albert Hall (pictured) with the London Philharmonic Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s famous score, while productions by The Royal Ballet and English National Ballet are also sure to delight.
Royal Albert Hall, 28 – 31 December
Royal Opera House, until 15 January
London Coliseum, 13 – 30 December

Wolfgang’s Magical Music Circus

An accessible introduction to circus and classical music for younger audiences from Australian company Circa, who combine Mozart’s music with daredevil stunts.
12 – 22 December, Barbican

Les Patineurs / Winter Dreams / The Concert

This triple bill from The Royal Ballet mixes the serious with the comically absurd. Frederick Ashton’s Les Patineurs is an inventive take on ice-skating, Kenneth MacMillan’s evocative ballet Winter Dreams is based on Chekhov’s The Three Sisters, while The Concert (pictured) choreographed by Jerome Robbins views audience behaviour through a comedic lens.
18 December – 4 January, Royal Opera House