Manon: Royal Ballet Grand Opera House, November 13th - November 17th, 7.45 p.m. & November 14th, 2.30 p.m. also.
A must-see: Britain's top company in Kenneth MacMillan's exciting and romantic three-act ballet (based on the Abbe Prevost's novel Manon Lescaut rather than Massenet's opera, though his music from other sources is used), starring Darcey Bussell and Sylvie Guillem on successive nights, partnered by Igor Zelensky and Irek Mukhamedov respectively.
Enigma Variations: Royal Ballet Grand Opera House November 18th-21st, 7.45 p.m., November 19th & 21st 2.00 p.m. also.
In fact three ballets by the incomparable Frederick Ashton: Enigma Variations about and with music by Edward Elgar; Birthday Offering, created for the special talents of now-vanished stars, so may suffer accordingly, and his utterly charming Les Patineurs, imitating the movement of skaters.
Trisha Brown Dance Company: Waterfront Hall, November 13th, 8 p.m. only.
Another must-see. The famous U.S. company's first Irish visit with three pieces: Canto Pianto, using the Orpheus and Eurydice legend to music from Monteverdi's opera; the popular Set & Re-Set to Laurie Anderson's upbeat score and Twelve Ton Rose, reputedly Brown at her best Enter Achilles: DV8 Stranmillis College, November 18th-21st, 8 p.m. For fans of this very violent and controversial but highly skilled company.
Irish Modern Dance Company: Stranmillis College November 14th only, 8 p.m. Brilliant Irish-American dancer and choreographer Sean Curran's new piece, plus his famous solo 5 Points of Articulation and a new piece by John Scott. CoisCeim Dance Theatre: Old Museum Arts Centre, November 23rd-28th, 8 p.m., November 25th, [ RO] 2 p.m. also. Premiere of Seasons, a collaboration between three young choreographers: Muirne Bloomer, Allan Irvine and Liz Roche.
