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The Standard of Living, Theatre Royal Haymarket, London, 28 September 2026
James Graham is one of Britain’s most frequently produced living playwrights and a steady presence in the West End. Rarely does a season pass without a new Graham play landing in the capital. He began his career in fringe theatre, where he sharpened his skills and built a reputation that propelled his work onto larger stages. Early on, Graham forged a productive relationship with the tiny but mighty Finborough Theatre, located above a pub in west London, becoming its playwright-in-residence in 2005.
The Interview: Christopher Marney
In 2023, after a hiatus of nearly thirty years, Artistic Director Christopher Marney raised the curtain on a revived London City Ballet, beginning its second act. The company is committed to presenting and preserving works from the past for future generations of audiences and dancers alike. Alongside this focus on preservation, it is equally intent on creating new work, reaching broader audiences through national and international touring and making dance affordable and accessible.
Thomas Adès: In Residence, Wigmore Hall, London, 26 September 2026
Thomas Adès is an astoundingly versatile musician — composer, conductor and pianist, equally at home writing operas and other works, performing as a soloist or leading major orchestras in repertoire ranging from the established canon to his own lauded compositions. He is that rare musical figure: beyond doubt a true virtuoso. Much in demand internationally in all three disciplines, Adès has sustained this exceptional level of achievement for more than three decades while continuing to challenge himself artistically — a remarkable feat.
The Interview: Michael Novak
Paul wanted the dancers onstage to look like a community of people. There is no single body type. The only body type, really, is a dancer who is very powerful: strong thighs and a strong back. Heights vary. Proportions vary. Their backgrounds vary. Some are ballet dancers, some are musical-theatre dancers, some are actors and some are street performers.
True American: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
My first experience of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Revelations was in 1984. I was seventeen, and my godmother, Cheryl, took me to see the company as a high school graduation gift. I had never heard of Ailey and did not know what to expect. Although I cannot remember the specifics of that night, what stayed with me then—and continues to resonate now—is the depth and power of the emotions Revelations stirred in my teenage self.
On Its Toes: New York City Ballet
Balanchine changed the ballet world not only through his artistry but through the institutions and dancers he shaped. As co-founder of the School of American Ballet and New York City Ballet, he created an enduring framework for his artistic vision, helping to secure his reputation as the greatest choreographer of the 20th century. Mr B — as he was affectionately known to the dancers — also helped break down racial barriers in ballet by championing Arthur Mitchell, who was invited by Lincoln Kirstein to enrol at the School of American Ballet in 1951 and joined New York City Ballet four years later, eventually becoming the first Black principal dancer at a major ballet company.
12 Questions with ... Amy Seiwert
My family has been incredibly influential here; I come from a long line of folks who were able to make a living in the arts. My mother taught junior high chorus, my paternal grandfather played the organ in church, my maternal grandmother taught piano in her living room, and my aunt had a career as a tap dancer on Broadway. I always found home in being able to express myself physically through music, and that passion was supported at an early age.
On Our Radar: Autumn 2026
The revered jewellery house Van Cleef & Arpels’ most celebrated association with the world of dance was not one of its own design. In 1966, George Balanchine entered its Fifth Avenue salon, where, dazzled by the emeralds, rubies and diamonds on display, he decided to use the brilliance of the stones as inspiration for a three-part ballet. The resulting work, Jewels, will surely endure at least as long as one of the Maison’s exquisite jewels.
About The Issue: One From the Heart
Dance has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. As the youngest of three, with two older sisters, I marvelled at the dances of their teenage years and tried my best to master them. Watching Soul Train and being captivated by the creativity of its dancers was a fixture of my weekends. But what I cherished most were the annual outings my father and I made alone, just the two of us, to see Alvin Ailey. This was our thing, and I looked forward to those outings with the same excitement I felt in the run-up to Christmas.
The WOW Factor: WOW Festival, La Jolla, San Diego, April 2026
San Diego is a city I knew little about before my recent visit. My previous trips to California had focused primarily on the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco and their environs. This time, though, I was determined to visit somewhere new in the state and to experience the local arts scene. The idea of returning to Los Angeles was appealing, but LA is an industry town for film and television; live theatre plays very much second fiddle to the screen.
Shakespeare in and Out of Love: Hamnet, American Conservatory Theater, San Francisco, April 2026
Upon leaving ACT’s Toni Rembe Theater after watching a performance of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) production of Hamnet, I encountered a man handing out leaflets for a local theatre production. He vociferously implored the ACT-going patrons to support a production written by a local playwright and featuring local actors. Yes, his hectoring drone was annoying, but I also understood his frustration.
Park Life: The Museum of Us and Balboa Park, San Diego, California, April 2026
London is a city abundant in parks and green spaces, boasting over 3,000 parks and public gardens. From Royal Parks, private gardens and neighbourhood parks to the expanse of Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park, these spaces are the lungs of the city and are integral to what makes it pleasurable to live in.