Olivier award winner Linda Tolhurst’s tales from the National Theatre stage door

An ill-judged work by Kameron N Saunders opens a double bill redeemed in the second section

The ballerina on pursuing her dream and dancing Mary Vetsera in Mayerling

Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s unexpected, sensual new ballet about the diarist Anne Lister tells a story of love and prejudice through its charismatic star

Meet the team who brought Jordan Fein’s production of Sondheim’s fairytale to life

The innovative company marked its 25th anniversary with Mthuthuzeli November’s piece about suffering and resistance during the 2012 South African miners’ strike

After nearly 30 years at the Royal Ballet, the Argentine dancer is at the height of her powers in a magical Giselle. Plus, Ballet Icons Gala

Sweet Mambo, created a year before the choreographer’s death, is given a haunting, emotional revival by its original cast. Plus, Glen Tetley’s joy-filled world

The late choreographer’s company returns to the UK for the first time in 20 years with all the breeziness and buoyancy for which they are known

This brave, experimental, genre-bending ballet captures the spirit of the author

There are no guarantees of what you’ll see on any given night, but surprise treats abound

A BalletBoyz retrospective, Gentleman Jack the ballet and an original Pina Bausch cast are among next year’s highlights

The peer and former Royal Ballet principal hopes her creative and inspirational drive will lead to the role of the lord speaker

Sarah Crompton on the shows of the year, from ballet to hip-hop

Can The Observer’s dance critic overcome her allergy to the Tchaikovsky ballet

An entrancing take on the 1940s film about a ballerina driven to dance herself to death

ZooNation’s wonderfully imaginative take on A Christmas Carol is not as exhilarating as its initial premise

Our critic picks five cultural highlights, whether you have five minutes, an hour or a whole evening to spare

Three Sadler’s Wells premieres set to the US composer’s music – plus new works by Ballet Black – show the surprise joys and struggles of commissioning new work

Her stirring, evocative new work about the pacifist composer and his lover is a highlight of Royal Ballet’s Perspectives triple bill