English National Ballet, 2011 Season

English National Ballet's 2011 season listings pivot largely on the populist Strictly Gershwin dansical before returning to The Nutcracker for next Christmas. In between there are two intriguing programmes given brief but welcome London viewings, highlighting two French masters almost never shown in the UK, Roland Petit and Serge Lifar. Both were young radicals in their time, Lifar as Diaghilev's star who went on to lead Paris Opera Ballet, and Petit, the post-war rebel who oozed French chic, sexuality and modern style in his ballets.

English National Ballet's 2011 season listings pivot largely on the populist Strictly Gershwin dansical before returning to The Nutcracker for next Christmas. In between there are two intriguing programmes given brief but welcome London viewings, highlighting two French masters almost never shown in the UK, Roland Petit and Serge Lifar. Both were young radicals in their time, Lifar as Diaghilev's star who went on to lead Paris Opera Ballet, and Petit, the post-war rebel who oozed French chic, sexuality and modern style in his ballets.