Photo credit: Deborah Jaffe
Ballet Nights arrives in Brighton this March with a bold promise: world-class ballet without the stuffiness, intimidation or insider language that can sometimes put new audiences off.
On Tuesday 18 March, the critically acclaimed programme takes over Brighton Theatre Royal as part of its first ever regional tour of England – and for founder and artistic director Jamiel Devernay-Laurence, the date is a deeply personal one.
‘Brighton is very close to my heart,’ says Devernay-Laurence, who spent summers in the city as a child. ‘Bringing something I’ve created to Brighton Theatre Royal feels incredibly meaningful. Brighton audiences are open-minded, playful and artistically engaged – it’s a perfect home for Ballet Nights.’
Photo credit: GS
Unlike a traditional ballet bill, Ballet Nights is curated as a hosted live experience. Devernay-Laurence, a former soloist with Scottish Ballet, acts as MC and compère, introducing each work with warmth, insight and storytelling that invites audiences in rather than keeping them at arm’s length. The result is an evening that deliberately bridges the gap between devoted ballet fans and those who may never have set foot in a theatre for dance before.
‘You don’t need prior knowledge – just curiosity,’ he explains. ‘The hosting, pacing and proximity between artists and audience remove the intimidation factor. It’s about building a new tradition that speaks directly to the people in the room.’
The Brighton programme brings together classical ballet, contemporary dance and live music, carefully shaped for contrast, momentum and emotional impact. ‘Programming Ballet Nights is about storytelling,’ says Devernay-Laurence. ‘Each piece has to shift the energy or reveal something about the artist behind the technique. It’s about how work lands in the room, not just how it looks on paper.’
Among the headline performers is Royal Ballet Principal Steven McRae, whose electrifying tap and classical work has made him one of the most recognisable figures in British dance, recently featured in the BBC documentary Dancing Back to the Light.
London City Ballet star Constance Devernay-Laurence performs her striking solo I Married Myself to music by Sparks, and joins Ukrainian ballet dancer Denys Cherevychko for the Nutcracker Pas de Deux. Cherevychko also performs Les Bourgeois, choreographed by Ben Van Cauwenbergh.
Photo credit: Deborah Jaffe BALLET NIGHTS
The contemporary line-up includes fast-rising duos BlacBrik, Ekleido and Pett|Clausen-Knight, each bringing sharply contrasting styles – from soulful musicality to cutting-edge physicality. Live music is central to the evening, with violist Dominic Stokes, winner of the inaugural Ballet Nights Music Award, performing works by Hindemith, alongside Quartet Concrète and dancer Leila Wright in a new collaboration.
Touring Ballet Nights presents its own challenges. ‘No two venues are the same,’ says Devernay-Laurence. ‘Every stage has different dimensions and energy, and every audience has its own rhythm. Our job is to meet people where they are and let the evening breathe differently each time.’ That responsiveness is built into the show’s DNA – each performance is designed as a limited-edition event, with surprises and a unique relationship to its audience.
Another distinctive feature is the opportunity to meet the performers after the show, reinforcing Ballet Nights’ emphasis on accessibility and connection. ‘It means new and existing ballet fans can actually talk to the artists,’ says Devernay-Laurence. ‘That human contact matters.’
Since launching in a 200-seat studio theatre in East London in 2023, Ballet Nights has grown rapidly, selling out shows at Cadogan Hall, touring internationally and redefining what a mixed dance programme can look like. Its arrival at Brighton Theatre Royal marks a significant milestone – and an invitation to experience ballet, and modern dance, as something immediate, joyful and alive.
Details
Dates: Tuesday 18 March at 7.30pm
Venue: Brighton Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton BN1 1SD
Tickets: £27–£97 (booking fees may apply).
Accessibility: Theatre Royal Access information can be found here.
Find more arts and culture reviews at Brighton & Hove News – Follow @BHCitywhatson and @bhcitynews on Instagram.
Covering everything from fringe theatre to major tours across Brighton & Hove – tag us if you’re going!
#WhatsOnBrighton #BrightonandHoveNews #Brighton #BrightonTheatre #BrightonArts #BrightonHoveNews
