Pro Dancers News from Dincwear Dancewear.

October 2026 Edition

Welcome to the October edition of the Dincwear Pro Dance News!

As autumn settles in, the dance world is operating at maximum velocity. This month, we are tracking the explosive energy of the live Strictly Come Dancing weekend shows, major West End tour announcements, and the industry’s top professionals pushing boundaries in rehearsal rooms across the UK. From stage to studio, we bring you the latest casting highlights, opening nights, and a look at what your favourite dancers are wearing behind the scenes.

A “Strictly” Triple Shake-Up.

The biggest talking point in UK entertainment is the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing major format and hosting overhaul. Following the high-profile exit of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, a new trio of presenters has stepped in: TV host Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe, and comedian Josh Widdicombe.

Format Changes Divide Fans: The newly launched companion show, It Takes Two, hosted by Ellie Taylor, has sparked significant fan debate. A controversial adjustment format has celebrities sitting down for interviews without their professional partners, a choice that has left many viewers disgruntled online. Meanwhile, on the dance floor, social media star John Nellis and professional partner Katya Jones topped the early leaderboards amidst background chatter regarding past contestants leaking rumors of “secret feuds” behind the scenes.

Sadler’s Wells Autumn Lineup.

For those tracking contemporary and stage dance, Sadler’s Wells Theatre has launched a robust season featuring highly anticipated premieres:

• • Acosta Danza – Cuban Baroque: Running from 7 to 10 October 2026.
  • STORIES – The Tap Dance Sensation: Taking over the Peacock Theatre from 14 to 31 October 2026.
  • BalletBoyz’s 25th Anniversary: The world-famous troupe returns to Sadler’s Wells with the world premiere of Six Lethargies.
• 

• English National Ballet Tours.

• The English National Ballet has announced its major tour schedules for the 2026/2027 season, featuring Rudolf Nureyev’s iconic rendition of Romeo & Juliet across major venues in Liverpool, Manchester, and London starting mid-October.

The UK dance theatre scene this October 2026 is marked by major anniversary celebrations, prominent autumn festival lineups, and massive West End production announcements.

Dance Umbrella Festival 2026.

Running from 7–27 October, London’s premiere contemporary dance festival is taking over multiple venues across the city and online. Key performances include the Highland-Irish dance fusion gig not for glory at Cecil Sharp House (13–14 October), and works by Mamela Nyamza at the newly opened Sadler’s Wells East.

Barbican Autumn/Winter Lineup.

The Barbican Centre has unveiled its new season, partnering with Dance Umbrella to host international works from Cie Omar Rajeh & Maqamat (16–17 October), alongside announcing its fresh Open Lab cohort.

General News & Sighting

• The Barbican in London has announced the return of its Open Lab Programme for 2027-8 supporting early to mid-career dance artists and companies as they develop new projects, ideas, and performances. Applications close on the 15th January 2027.
• Choreographer and Dance Company owner Richard Alston has died aged 77.
• Dance company Rambert has appointed Rebecca Hanna-Grindall as its new Chief Executive.
• Strictly won the National Television Award for the Best Talent Show.
• The Barbican has announced its Spring/Summer 2027 Dance Programme. Boy Blue will celebrate 25 years of the hip-hop company with “A Night with Boy Blue” (19-21st February 2027).
• British dancer and choreographer Xander Parish has launched a new international ballet company called Nouveaux Ballet Russes. It will begin with a re-imagining of “Swan Lake” in March 2027.
• Susan Stroman is to direct and choreograph the West End premiere of “Little Dancer”. The show will star Tiler Peck and is scheduled to run at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, from the 15th of February 2027.
• Nadiya Bychkova will make her pantomime debut as Tinkerbell in “Peter Pan” at the Watersmeet Theatre from the 4th to the 31st December.
• Karen Hauer will star in the tour of “Singin’ in the Rain”, sharing the role of Lina Lamont with Natalie Anderson. The tour opens in Bromley on the 28th of January 2027. The choreography is by Andrew Wright, Jayne Elster and Kelly Ewins.
• Musical Con confirmed guests for its event on the 17th and 18th of October at the Excel Centre in London. This years Guests of Honour are Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp – to mark the anniversary of “Rent”.
• Tiler Peck will be the choreographic associate of the New York City Ballet.
• A revival of “West Side Story” will run at the National Theatre in the autumn of 2027. Jerome Robbin’s choreography will be reproduced and adapted for the stage by Julio Monge.
• Casting has been revealed for Sir Matthew Bourne’s “Cinderella”. Hannah Kremer and Katrina Lyndon will star as Cinderella. The tour will open in Plymouth on the 16th of November.
• The National Theatre’s adaptation of “Ballet Shoes” will embark on a tour across the UK. The show has choreography by Ellen Kane.
• “Billy Elliot The Musical” has revealed complete casting for its West End return and new tour. The show has choreography by Peter Darling and Jeroen Luiten. It will open at the Adelphi Theatre on the 12th of February 2027.
• “Back to the Future the Musical” has announced its full cast for the upcoming UK tour, which opens at the Bristol Hippodrome on the 8th of October. The choreography is by Chris Bailey.
• “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” has announced full casting for its 10th Anniversary Tour. It will star Ashcon Rahmans as Jamie and Joanne Clifton as Miss Hedge. Choreography is by Kate Prince. The tour will open in Leeds on the 15th of January 2027.
• The full cast has been announced for “Scrooge The Musical” which will run at the Glasgow SEC from the 12th of December. The show will star Marti Pellow. Clare Rickard is the dance captain. The show has choreography by Chrissie Cartwrght.
• “The Devil Wears Prada the Musical” has announced the full company for its third year at the Dominion Theatre in London. Jenna Bonner will play Andy Sachs and Teri Hatcher will play Miranda. The choreography is by Jerry Mitchell.

Future Dance Events News

• A revival of “West Side Story” will run at the National Theatre in the autumn of 2027. Jerome Robins’ choreography will be reproduced and adapted for the stage by Julio Monge.
  
• “Titanique” will embark on a UK tour next year. It will open in Newcastle on the 17th of September 2027 with Myra Dubois set to star as Ruth. The choreography is by Ellenore Scott.
  
• “Dirty Dancing” will return to the West End next year. The show will star Michael O’Reilly, Pippa Jackson and Emily Layden Fritz. The choreography is by Austin Wilks and the show opens at the Prince Edward Theatre on the 19th of January 2027.
  
• “Legally Blonde the Musical” has landed a West End transfer to the London Coliseum, with Amber Davies set to star as Elle Woods.
  
• A musical adaptation of “Nanny McPhee”, written by Emma Thompson, will open in London in the summer of 2027. The show will have choreography by Ellen Kane.
  
• “Hairspray” will tour the UK in 2027. The show will star Neil Hurst and feature choreography by Drew McOnie and Shaquille Brush. It will open in Manchester on the 2nd of July 2027.
  
• “Jesus Christ Superstar” will tour in 2027 starring Sam Ryder, opening in Manchester on the 11th of February. The show has choreography by Drew McOnie.
  
• The musical adaptation of “Pretty Woman” will return for a new tour next year. The show will have choreography by Jerry Mitchell and open in Wimbledon on the 10th of March 2027.
  
• The English National Ballet has announced its season for 2026/7 titled “A Season To Feel More”.
  
• “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” will return to the UK on a 10th anniversary tour. The show will open in Leeds on the 15th of January 2027. It has choreography by Kate Prince.
  
• A musical stage adaptation of the film “Coyote Ugly” will come to the West End in 2027. It will be directed and choreographed by Jerry Mitchell.
  
• “Just For One Day; The Live Aid Musical” is to embark on a UK tour in 2027. The show has choreography by Ebony Molina.
  
• A new revival of “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has been confirmed for this year as part of the new season from the Birmingham Rep.
  
• A musical version of “10 Things I Hate About You” is officially in the works. It will have choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

Dance Auditions & Vacancies

• Haven Holidays is auditioning for performers. You can apply on their website: www.casting@haven.com
• Universal Studios is holding auditions for new dancers. Contact: http://www.universalstudiosauditions.com
• Burn The Floor is looking for dancers. Contact: casting@burnthefloor.com.

Dance Classes

• Adrian Gas has two jazz/commercial fusion classes at the Manor in London. The first class is on October the 14th at 4:00 p.m. and the second is on October the 29th at 2:30 p.m.
• Michelle Tsiakkas has a Halloween Dance Workshop at Impact Dance on the 31st of October from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. You can book on Michelle’s Instagram.
• Lisa Spencer presents “Camera Ready Volume 4” with Lisa Welham, Aicha McKenzie and Kamila Zalewska on the 10th and 11th of October. Contact Lisa to apply.
• Sarah Lamb has a “Manon” masterclass on the 11th of October from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. at the Royal Ballet Studios. Direct Message Vanessa Fenton Masterclasses to book.
• FitSteps is holding 2 masterclasses with Ian Waite in Durham on the 1st of November and Ascot on the 7th of November. Visit the FitSteps Instagram Bio to book.
• Poppy Radford has a commercial class at Pineapple on Wednesdays from 3.45 – 4.45 pm and 7.00 – 8.00 pm.
• Christina Andrea has classes on Tuesday from 5.00 – 6.00 pm at Pineapple, Wednesday from 7.30 – 8.30 pm at Pineapple and Thursday from 5.00 – 6.00 pm at the Manor.
• Amy Ireland has a Tap Technique class for beginners on Fridays from 12.00 – 1.00 pm at Pineapple.
• Danielle Barton has classes on Wednesdays and Fridays at Pineapple and on Saturday at the Base Dance Studio.

Film & TV

• ZooNation’s retelling of “A Christmas Carol” has been made available to stream on demand for free exclusively for schools, youth groups and home educators on the Sadler’s Wells digital stage platform.
• We spotted Pfion Vince, Jesse Stoop, Molly Hincks and Erin Jade in the new Troye Sivan music video.
• We spotted Amelie Pollock and Jen Griffin dancing with Kylie at the 2026 Toyota AFL Final in Australia.
• We spotted Sasha Woodward at the BBC Proms Tribute to Dolly Parton at the Royal Albert Hall.

Pro Dancer News Published by the Dincwear Pro Dancewear Team.

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