Dance highlights of 2015: Sylvie Guillem's farewell show and George Orwell's 1984

Your guide to the major dance productions coming this year

Sylvie Guillem says farewell in May (Lesley Leslie-Spinks)

Sylvie Guillem: Life in Progress

The most famous, most influential ballerina of her generation retires in 2015. Her farewell show will include new works by Akram Khan and Russell Maliphant, plus Mats Ek’s poignant Bye.

Sadler’s Wells, London, 26 to 31 May

Tree of Codes

Wayne McGregor’s new work for Manchester International Festival is a collaboration with the artist Olafur Eliasson (of The Weather Project fame) and the musician Jamie xx. The cast includes Paris Opéra Ballet stars Aurélie Dupont and Marie-Agnès Gillot alongside dancers from Wayne McGregor | Random Dance.

Manchester Opera House, 2 to 10 July

Hofesh Shechter at the Royal Ballet

Shechter, a contemporary choreographer and composer known for loping movement and thundering beats, makes his first work for the Royal Ballet. He’s promising a large-scale work, and a collaboration between classical refinement and visceral energy.

Royal Opera House, London, 27 March to 14 April

1984, Northern Ballet

Northern Ballet is branching out, commissioning new choreographers and touring more widely. Its major new production for autumn 2015 is Jonathan Watkins’ 1984, inspired by George Orwell’s novel.

World premiere in Leeds, date not yet announced; followed by UK tour

A Bournonville Celebration

August Bournonville, ballet’s sunniest choreographer, should light up January in this rare visit by principals and soloists of the Royal Danish Ballet. These 19th-century works bubble over with happiness – though there’s drama, too, in excerpts from La Sylphide.

Peacock Theatre, London, 9 and 10 January