75 years after Nureyev’s birth and 20 since his death, English National Ballet celebrates the legacy of this uniquely gifted dancer from his traditional classical beginnings through to his inspirational innovation.

Petrushka is a hopelessly romantic puppet trapped in a love triangle with the Ballerina and the Moor, choreographed by Fokine to Stravinsky’s score. Nureyev danced Petrushka throughout his career and all around the world.

Song of a Wayfarer by Maurice Béjart is one of the most beautiful ballets ever created for the male dancer, set to Mahler’s first song cycle. This work marked Nureyev’s move to the French contemporary repertoire in the early 1970s.

Raymonda Act III was choreographed by Marius Petipa, creator of The Sleeping Beauty. The celebratory final act contains some of his finest work to Glazunov’s magnificent score. Nureyev mounted this version in 1969, a memory of his formative years at the Mariinsky.

 

Find out more about the rich variety of West End shows on offer in Theatreland.