DIP INTO LONDON'S DANCE SCENE
Recommendations For Different Ocassions

London is fortunate to have a flourishing classical and contemporary dance scene. There are packed programmes of national and international companies across several high - profile and wonderful venues. It's equally blessed with emerging talent and cutting edge, boundary pushing offerings. But, unless you've a special interest or expertise yourself, it can be a daunting art form to enter and even more daunting to stray from the traditional lavish Swan Lakes and Nutcrackers.

To those of you who might be persuaded to try and join the dance in the coming months, here are 4 recommendations to try for 4 different occasions.

The glamour ticket: Manon, The Royal Ballet at The Royal Opera House 11 October - 27 November £5-90

http://esales.roh.org.uk/tickets/production.aspx?pid=6627

Booking for this classic tragedy of love, sex, corruption and death performed by some of the world's most superb dancers will sell out fast. Try and catch the extraordinary Edward Watson as male lead on 13 or 17 October and, if you can, splash out on stalls seats and interval champagne. The Royal Opera House is simply stunning, so do this in style. You won't regret it.

Impress a smart young thing: Eternal Light, Rambert Dance Company at Sadlers Wells 11-15 November £10-38

http://www.sadlerswells.com/show/Rambert-Dance-Eternal-Light

Rambert is both the hottest and the coolest contemporary dance company around, bursting at the gills with formidable young talent, artistry, passion and flair. This mixed bill presents a major, brand new work by their Artistic Director, Mark Baldwin, as well as home-grown solos and the unusual and spectacular Infinity by Australia's Garry Stewart. Go one better and book for the Sign Language Interpreted show to see jaws drop at not only the stunning company of dancers but also the incredible skill of the interpreter.

Entertain the children: Matrioska, Tiago Guedes at The Place. 21 October £5-15

http://www.theplace.org.uk/12540/robin-howard-dance-theatre/tiago-guedes.html

Treat little ones to something extraordinary. Part of the annual contemporary dance festival Dance Umbrella, Tiago Guedes entertains kids and adults alike with shapes, shadows, mystery and fable. Short, sweet and entrancing, this is an introduction to dance and performance magic for 6 years and over (no upper age limit!) There's also an opportunity for families to get involved in a workshop at no extra cost.

The wild card - feeling adventurous: DanceUnion Festival of European Dance, Southbank Centre 19-21 September £13

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/dance-performance/productions/danceunion-1-41508

Contemporary dance can be unpredictable so sometimes it's interesting to take a chance on an unknown mixed bill, for not very much money, to see what happens. Fortune favours the brave, and there's always food for thought and things to talk about in the interval. Go on opening night. you'll at least be guaranteed excellent fun with Probe and their New Art Club comedy/dance crossover piece as part of a mixed bag of tricks from all over the continent.