It’s been one year since The Scoop was created, and the first feature published was my personal list of Favourite Shows of the year. As 2025 comes to a close, we have been looking back at some of the shows that stood out this year.
The final instalment includes our favourite Dance shows, including Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Student Productions and Youth Productions.
The team at The Scoop are incredibly passionate about Dance and it is something we will continue to vigorously champion as we head into 2026.
So without further ado, let’s take a look at some more of The Scoop’s Favourite Show of 2025, in no particular order, starting with Favourite Ballets.
Favourite Ballet
The Sleeping Beauty
The Australian Ballet
Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide audiences were captivated by the grand revival of David McAllister’s The Sleeping Beauty, marking the 10th anniversary of its celebrated debut with The Australian Ballet. First performed in 2015 and brought back by popular demand in 2017, this breathtaking production returned to the stage under the artistic direction of David Hallberg.
What we said at the time:
“The Sleeping Beauty is ballet at its most extravagant: glittering, grand, and gloriously decadent. But beneath the tiaras, tulle and towering candelabras lies a production crafted with precision and pure passion. The Australian Ballet’s revival of David McAllister’s masterpiece is a feast for the senses. But it is also a love letter to fairytales, theatre magic, and the enduring power of storytelling through dance.”
Read our full review here.
Can I still see the show?
There was a livestream of the Sydney Opera House season’s production which was available to view from 16-30 December, but this has just ended. By special invitation, The Stuttgart Ballet will be bringing Marcia Haydée’s The Sleeping Beauty exclusively to Melbourne in October as part of the 2026 season, get tickets here.
The Australian Ballet will be touring Romeo & Juliet in 2026, but it will not be visiting Adelaide, much to the sadness of ballet lovers there. It will tour Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Get tickets here.
Romeo & Juliet
Queensland Ballet
Queensland Ballet launched its 65th anniversary year with a revival of Kenneth MacMillan’s great ballet masterpiece, Romeo & Juliet. One of the largest productions Queensland Ballet performs, it offered a night of drama, romance, and timeless beauty.
What we said at the time:
“720 individual costume pieces feature in the production including hand dyed and Devaney velvet dresses made with lush, heavy fabrics. One of Juliet’s dresses is embroidered with hundreds of glass beads and some of the cloths feature real gold leaf. The attention to detail in the period-inspired design enhances the romance and tragedy of the ballet.”
Read our full review here.
Can I still see the show?
No, but Queensland Ballet has an exciting 2026 season in store, kicking off with the Queensland debut of Messa da Requiem in March at QPAC’s new Glasshouse Theatre. Featuring more than 110 Queensland Symphony Orchestra musicians and Brisbane Chorale singers and 36 QB artists, this unforgettable staging transcends boundaries and merges artforms in this once‑in‑a‑generation production. Get tickets here.
Dracula
BIG Live
BIG Live, Australia’s fastest-growing ballet company premiered Dracula, it most daring production to date. A gripping reimagining of the iconic vampire legend, audiences are swept from the blood-soaked battlefields of 15th-century Europe to the eerie halls of a 19th-century castle. Combining breathtaking choreography with some of the world’s most powerful orchestral works, Dracula explores themes of love, loss, vengeance, and the eternal fight against fate.
What we said at the time:
“The dark subject matter of Dracula is handled with grace and just the right amount of drama, with this adaptation feeling almost Shakespearean in the way the tragic story unfolds.
Perhaps the most surprising element on opening night was the audience itself. This was no typical ballet crowd. Dracula has drawn people beyond the usual circle, proving that some stories can break through boundaries. And that is exactly what ballet in 2025 needs.”
Read our full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Yes! Dracula will be returning in 2026 with all touring details are still to be announced. Stay updated here at BIG Live’s new-look website.
Romeo & Juliet
BIG Live
Shakespeare’s most iconic love story came to life with BIG Live’s stunning touring production of Romeo and Juliet. Audiences were swept away by the passion, drama, and heartbreak of this timeless classic set to the breathtaking scores of Sergei Prokofiev and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
What we said at the time:
“Coming out of the theatre, everyone was talking about two moments. The Tybalt-Mercutio fight and the Romeo-Juliet final dance…In their last dance together, we see and feel every moment of anguish, heartbreak, longing, and devastation.”
Read our full review here.
Can I still see the show?
No, this was a touring season for 2025 only. BIG Live has an exciting new ballet lined up for 2026 with The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey opening in Sydney in February and then touring to Melbourne, Canberra, Cairns and Adelaide. Get tickets here.
Murray Whispers
Adelaide Ballet
South Australia’s only professional ballet company made their season debut in 2025 with Murray Whispers, a stunning new work that beautifully blended performance and technology. Choreographed by Co-Founders and Artistic Directors, Sarah Humeniuk and Rejane Garcia, the work draws inspiration from the Murray River’s ever-changing flow, brought to life through original choreography, a powerful live score and breathtaking LED visuals.
What we said at the time:
“For a first outing, Murray Whispers feels both rooted and ambitious; a statement that Adelaide Ballet is a company serious about weaving South Australian stories into the bones of their art.”
Read our full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Not at this stage, but keep an eye on Adelaide Ballet to see what they have in store next.
Favourite Christmas Show
The Nutcracker
Queensland Ballet and BIG Live
We have a tie breaker here, but either way, there’s no denying that it’s not really Christmas without a production of The Nutcracker to attend in your city. Brisbane audiences enjoyed Queensland Ballet’s version by Ben Stevenson OBE which they have performed since 2013. BIG Live’s touring production went all over Australia and even included a stint in Singapore.
What we said at the time:
“Filled with magic and cheer, The Nutcracker is the best way to start the festive season. This classic Christmas tale is a gift to the senses, with enchanting music, gorgeous costumes, and dazzling dances all packaged into a heartwarming story.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
BIG Live wrapped their tour today in Melbourne, but they will be back in 2026. Watch here for tour details. Queensland Ballet will present a brand new production of The Nutcracker in 2026, with a new work commissioned by Derek Deane OBE. Watch here for details.
Favourite Youth Production
Snow White
Ballet Theatre Queensland
The world premiere production of Snow White featured a stunning original score by Lucas D. Lynch and all new choreography by Clare Morehen. Ballet Theatre Queensland, formed in 1937, offers professionally staged performance opportunities for promising young dancers in South East Queensland.
What we said at the time:
“It would be a mistake to assume that this might be an inferior production simply because most of the dancers are young. In short, Snow White holds its own (and then some) alongside anything you might see on the QPAC main stage.”
“Snow White is everything one hopes for when heading out for a night at the theatre. It is a captivating new work that seamlessly blends enchanting choreography, a stunning score, and heartfelt storytelling. Snow White a must-see production for all ages – don’t miss the chance to experience this spellbinding premiere performance.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Yes! There will be a return season from 9 – 12 July at the Concert Hall, QPAC. Get tickets here. For an earlier ballet fix, BTQ will present Alice in Wonderland from 22 – 25 January. Get tickets here.
Favourite Student Production
Queensland Ballet Academy Gala
Queensland Ballet
A proud highlight of the year, the Gala offers a glimpse into the next generation of ballet stars destined for stages worldwide. Featuring a dazzling mix of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary works, this event showcases the extraordinary artistry of the Academy’s Upper School and Pre-Professional Program dancers and the thrilling Academy Défilé, uniting all levels of training on stage.
What we said at the time:
“Moving with an effortless elegance and skill well beyond their years, each dancer exudes both technical precision and a powerful, mature artistry. Their extraordinary skill seamlessly blends with a powerful stage presence, making it hard to comprehend that this talent belongs to emerging artists within the Academy.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
The Gala is an annual presentation and will run in 2026 from 6 – 8 August. Visit the website for more information.
Favourite Contemporary Dance / Dance Theatre
Marrow
Australian Dance Theatre
Created by the electric mind of Director Daniel Riley, Marrow confronts the cultural narratives shaping today’s political landscape. Born in the wake of the unsuccessful Voice to Parliament in 2023, Marrow challenges political restraints and envisions a unified nation paving a collective path forward. After an Adelaide Festival premiere in 2024, Marrow embarked on a national tour this year.
What we said at the time:
“Marrow is a confronting yet breathtaking work of art – bold, raw and unapologetic all at once. Promising an eye-opening experience, it challenges audiences to rethink historical narratives and sparks momentum towards a unified future.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
It doesn’t appear so, but Faraway will make its world premiere at the 2026 Adelaide Festival on 25 February. Get tickets here.
Elastic Hearts
Queensland Ballet & Home of the Arts
Queensland Ballet and HOTA, Home of the Arts entered a landmark three-year partnership that will see the creation of three music-led world premieres exclusive to the Gold Coast. Launching with the debut of Elastic Hearts, a genre-defying dance experience choreographed and directed by Garry Stewart, it features the music of global pop icon Sia, reimagined with cinematic power by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
What we said at the time:
“Each dancer performs from the soul, commanding the stage with technical brilliance and expressive depth. The most powerful moment comes during Sia’s iconic Chandelier, when chandeliers descend from above and transform into swings. It’s a literal and thrilling nod to ‘swinging from the chandelier’ that sent a ripple of exhilaration through the crowd.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Yes! Elastic Hearts will run as part of Queensland Ballet’s 2026 season from 30 April – 2 May. Get tickets here.
Glass Teeth
by Melanie Lane, as part of Blue Triple Bill, Australasian Dance Collective
Australasian Dance Collective celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2025, and to celebrate, their latest work Blue was an exquisite triptych reflecting something old, something new and something borrowed. Glass Teeth was their something new, a work by Melanie Lane which saw the six company dancers come together as a tight unit yet each stood out in their own way.
What we said at the time:
“Each dancer wears a black, bespoke design which draws inspiration from Greek mythology and seminal visual artists. The result evokes a futuristic, twisted fairytale vibe, as the dancers embody figures of dream messengers.”
“This is the Australasian Dance Collective I love: stylish, edgy, and brimming with a wicked sense of fun. Glass Teeth strikes that perfect balance of joy and drama, performed with a palpable love for the art form.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Not at this stage, but keep an eye out for future performances. Check out ADC’s 2026 season here.
Mother Nature: An Arena Spectacular
Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company
Mother Nature, presented by the Adelaide-based Australian Calisthenics Theatre Company, was the jewel in the crown of their 2025 program. Featuring a cast of 120 elite dancers from across the country, the show blended many elements of dance in a tribute to the unstoppable force of Mother Nature, told through story, acrobatics and live music. The show premiered in Adelaide but also enjoyed a season in Melbourne.
What we said at the time:
“Mother Nature is a stunning visual display of dance, movement, dazzling costumes, and amazing storytelling, with music, lighting, projections and special effects adding even more layers of wonder. Even the youngest dancers display remarkable polish and maturity, while every performer shows incredible strength, flexibility, precision and dedication.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Not at this stage, but keep an eye on ACTC’s socials for their exciting 2026 performance announcements.
An Honest Conversation
by Java Dance Theatre as part of That’s Two, Thank You Festival by FORM Dance Projects at Riverside Parramatta
That’s Two, Thank You is FORM Dance Project’s new annual dance festival celebrating the art of the duet. An Honest Conversation ran as part of the inaugural season, presented by New Zealand’s Java Dance Theatre. Built from a wonderful concept of juxtaposition and spontaneity, An Honest Conversation was effortlessly funny and terrifically truthful.
What we said at the time:
“An hour-long improvised verbal and physical conversation between Wellington choreographer, Sacha Copland, and a different local Sydney artist, featuring either Vicki Van Hout, Azzam Mohamad and Hoyori Maruo. Each conversation only happens once where the dancers discuss matters of the heart while dancing, attempting to be as honest as possible.”
Read the full review here.
Can I still see the show?
Potentially. Keep an eye on FORM Dance Projects website for future festivals and productions in 2026.
And that concludes our Favourite Shows of 2025 series! Be sure to check out the other three articles. Here’s to a fabulous 2026.
Hero image: Ako Kondo in The Sleeping Beauty by The Australian Ballet. Photo by David Kelly
