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| National Dance Awards | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Dance Awards |
| Awarded for | Excellence in dance |
| Presenter | The Critics' Circle |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Year | 2000 |
National Dance Awards
The National Dance Awards are annual honours presented to performers, choreographers, companies, designers and producers active in dance across the United Kingdom and internationally. Founded by The Critics' Circle and frequently associated with institutions such as Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre, English National Ballet and Royal Ballet schools, the prizes recognise achievement across ballet, contemporary, modern and international forms. Recipients have included figures connected to Royal Ballet School, Royal Academy of Dance, English National Ballet School, Birmingham Royal Ballet and independent ensembles.
The awards span categories for performance, choreography, ensemble work and technical design, often reflecting the programming of venues like Sadler's Wells Theatre, Royal Opera House, Almeida Theatre, Barbican Centre and touring presenters including Rambert and Scottish Ballet. Judges and panels have connections to publications and organisations such as The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Stage and professional bodies including Dance UK and International Dance Council (CID). The ceremony traditionally attracts companies like English National Ballet, Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Northern Ballet, Rambert, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, and choreographers associated with Wayne McGregor, Akram Khan, Christopher Wheeldon and Crystal Pite.
Established in 2000 by The Critics' Circle arts critics, the awards emerged amid debates involving institutions such as Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre and touring strategies of companies like Northern Ballet and English Touring Opera. Early ceremonies featured winners with links to choreographers and teachers from Royal Ballet School, Dutch National Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Paris Opera Ballet and Mariinsky Ballet. Over time the awards have mirrored shifts reflected in festivals such as Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Brighton Festival, Birmingham International Dance Festival and collaborations between venues including Tate Modern, Southbank Centre and Royal Albert Hall.
Categories have included Outstanding Female or Male Artist (Classical), Outstanding Female or Male Artist (Modern), Best Choreography, Best Company, Emerging Artist, Best Independent Company, and awards for design and production such as Best Lighting, Best Costume and Best Dance Film. Companies and individuals associated with Royal Ballet School, English National Ballet School, Central School of Ballet, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and companies like Scottish Dance Theatre and Siobhan Davies Dance have been frequent nominees. The categories have recognised choreographers from institutions such as Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Juilliard School, LAMDA and international ensembles including Bolshoi Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, New York City Ballet and Batsheva Dance Company.
Nominations are typically compiled by panels drawn from critics and journalists affiliated with publications such as The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, Financial Times and The Observer, alongside freelance critics representing outlets like BBC Arts, Channel 4, Sky Arts and specialist journals like Dance Magazine and Ballet Review. The selection involves assessment of seasons at venues including Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre, Barbican Centre, Almeida Theatre and touring work by companies such as Rambert, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, English National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Criteria reference productions staged at festivals like Edinburgh International Festival, Cheltenham Festival, Latitude Festival and international exchanges with institutions such as Paris Opera Ballet School, School of American Ballet and Vaganova Academy.
Winners have included soloists and choreographers linked to Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, Scottish Ballet, Rambert and independent figures such as Akram Khan, Wayne McGregor, Christopher Wheeldon, Matthew Bourne, Alastair Marriott, Carlos Acosta, Darcey Bussell, Sylvie Guillem, Tamara Rojo, Netia Jones, Crystal Pite and Martha Graham School affiliates. Design and production winners often come from collaborations with lighting designers and costume houses that have worked at Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells Theatre and international venues like Lincoln Center and Vienna State Opera.
The awards have boosted profiles for artists associated with schools such as Royal Ballet School, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and companies including English National Ballet, Rambert and Birmingham Royal Ballet, influencing touring decisions by presenters like Sadler's Wells Theatre and broadcasters including BBC Four. Critics have debated the panels' transparency, representation of regional dance scenes including Northern Ballet and Scottish Dance Theatre, and the balance between classical institutions like Royal Ballet and independent companies such as Akram Khan Company and Siobhan Davies Dance. Commentators in The Guardian, The Telegraph and specialist outlets like Dance Europe have noted concerns about metropolitan bias, diversity of nominees, and the influence of flagship venues such as Royal Opera House and Sadler's Wells Theatre on outcomes.
Ceremonies are often held at central London venues including Sadler's Wells Theatre, Royal Opera House, Barbican Centre and private venues linked to The Critics' Circle membership. The presentation features performances drawn from recent seasons by companies like English National Ballet, Rambert, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, with hosts and presenters from publications such as The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph and broadcasters like BBC Arts and Sky Arts.
Category:British dance awards