In an Olympic year full of artistic grand projects, The Royal Ballet ends its season with one of the grandest. Titian: Metamorphosis 2012 has seven choreographers, three composers, three designers, and the surprise is that this isn’t a case of too many cooks. It’s a coherent, stylish evening, with artists moving confidently into new areas.

The Royal Ballet's outgoing director leaves a surprisingly short – and white – company

Frederick Ashton’s The Dream and Kenneth MacMillan’s Song of the Earth are two of The Royal Ballet’s most-loved classics, making a terrific double bill.

The venerated ballerina had better watch her step – a new programme at Sadler's Wells shows that men could be about to steal the limelight for good

Juliet is one of the most coveted roles at the Royal Ballet. Melissa Hamilton, a light, fleet soloist with a sweeping sense of movement, made a promising debut. She's still feeling her way into the drama of Kenneth MacMillan's ballet, with her most touching moments coming through the dancing. When Hamilton arches back over her Romeo's arm, her lavish backbend gives the moment eagerness and ardour.

Hits, misses and chocolate kisses

There's no touching the Mariinsky corps for uniformity, while principal Lopatkina demonstrates the art of maturing into a role

Classical ballet harms your body I used to do 40 to 50 shows a year and I've had plenty of body traumas and surgeries, but it's been worth it. Nothing compares to the feeling of being on stage and connecting with an audience.

From tonight, the Royal Ballet will perform Romeo and Juliet at a huge rock arena in London. Wherefore? <b>Nicola Christie</b> speaks to Carlos Acosta, Tamara Rojo and the Royal Opera House's Tony Hall about their desire to make classical dance accessible to all.

Black Amber Inspirations is a new series of compact biographies of high achievers from black and other minority communities.

Acosta is superb, but there's a new star snapping at his heels

Star power will get you only so far. Carlos Acosta's name, one of the biggest in ballet, is the selling point for this evening of new works and debut performances. You'd be better off seeing him in almost anything else.

Overstretched Acosta is the Richard Branson of ballet

Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta's new show Premieres opened at the Coliseum Theatre in London this week.