VISIT TO LONDON CITY BALLET

10 September 2026

In July, members saw a studio rehearsal of Firebird, which forms part of London City Ballet’s current tour. This visit to their Islington studio was to watch class and an extract from John Neumeier’s Ghost Light.

Class was led by Ludovic Ondiviela, who will be remembered as a Royal Ballet dancer and choreographer. He puts those talents to work tweaking what would otherwise be a standard class, supported by an excellent pianist improvising a very wide range of music. 

Ludovic is also Head of London City Ballet’s new trainee programme developing the next generation. The 2026/27 year has about 20 dancers in the 18-23 age range working in the main building next to the studio. The programme is part funded by the company.

Ghost Light was created by John Neumeier for Hamburg in 2020 during Covid. It shows the spirits of artists who once inhabited the stage. Christopher Marney, LCB Artistic Director, gave an informed introduction to it and said how honoured they were for Neumeier to come over for a week to restage the work for the first time outside Hamburg. 

Kate Lyons, the company’s Rehearsal Director, is finalising it together with Nicolas Gläsmann who was a dancer at Hamburg and is combining dancing as a guest with assisting with the staging.  Members saw two extracts, one for young lovers and a second more dramatic scene. 

Ghost Light premiered at York the week following our visit and can be seen at Sadler’s Wells on 22-24 October.

Christopher Marney expressed how grateful he was for London Ballet Circle’s continued support and connection. It was clear how the company continues to expand to the extent that it is rapidly out-growing its studio facilities.


Keith White  ©LBC