A MAGICAL weekend of exceptional dance and live music took place at Hatch House last month.

The 16th annual Ballet Under the Stars took place from July 26 to 27 at the Wiltshire venue, organised by Covent Garden Dance.

1,300 guests soaked up the performances at the stunning grounds of the 17th-century walled Dutch garden.

Giveton Gelin, a very talented young jazz musician, wowed audiences with his soulful rendition of ‘When I Fall in Love’ along with his own compositions and provided live music in the Café Folle after the show that really got guests up on their feet and onto the dance floor.

Matt Brady, director of Covent Garden Dance, said this year’s event came together “beautifully” in the last few weeks.

Lois Fraiz and Zai Calliste dance at Ballet Under the Stars 2025 Picture: Alice Pennefather.

“We were devastated to lose Lauren Cuthbertson due to illness, I have personally worked with her many times and it was a crushing blow to lose not only one of the UK’s most brilliant ballerinas but also two extraordinary works that we were incredibly excited to debut at Hatch House,” he said.

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“We were blessed by the fact that Emma Hawes was available to step in and what a debut she gave our audiences with the always brilliant Gareth Haw.

Joy Womack and Xander Parish dance The Firebird Picture: Alice Pennefather

“To present three sold-out shows is always a privilege and never something I take for granted.

“Audiences were captivated by an extraordinary cast drawn from The Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and beyond.

“It was also our great pleasure to premiere a compelling new work, Clinquant, by the acclaimed Ekleido duo Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser, made possible through the generous support of the Dicky Buckle Fund (DBF), our associated charity.

“The DBF helps young performers bring their works to the stage and aims to make dance accessible to a much wider audience.”

Zai Calliste performs Hereafter Picture: Alice Pennefather

The warm weather helped to provide the perfect backdrop for audiences to enjoy the performances and is integral to the charm of the event as it allows people to relax in the gardens ahead of the show.

With a carefully curated programme of works, audiences were left spellbound by American dancer Joy Womack’s performance of The Dying Swan, an elegant tribute to Anna Pavlova.

Emma Hawes and Gareth Haw, both lead principals with the English National Ballet, reaffirmed the enduring brilliance of the classical canon too, as did principals with The Royal Ballet Sarah Lamb and William Bracewell.

Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser perform Clinquant Picture: Alice Pennefather

Two young graduates from the English National Ballet, Lois Fraiz and Zai Calliste, showed just why they have graduated to the main company this autumn, they are two immensely talented rising stars.

Hatch House favourite Xander Parish with Joy Womack, danced The Firebird by Michel Fokine, a gorgeously colourful work further complemented by the dazzling and captivatingly fiery costumes.

Ballet Under the Stars hosted its first children’s matinee this year, hosted by Courtney Celeste Fox, a Bahamian dancer whose interactive style got children up on the stage dancing.

Joy Womack dances The Dying Swan Picture: Alice Pennefather

She danced her own composition, In Time, with fellow Bahamian Vernal Adderley, accompanied by Giveton who had composed the music especially for Courtney’s new work.

In 2026 Covent Garden Dance celebrates its 20th anniversary and its celebration plans coupled with the phenomenal performances this year have already led to record rebooking.

The dates for 2026, already in many diaries, are July 24 to 26 and with nearly 1,000 tickets of the 1,300 sold.

Book tickets at www.coventgardendance.com