Critics' Circle National Dance Awards
Encyclopedia
The National Dance Awards are presented annually in the United Kingdom
by The Critics' Circle
, and are awarded to recognise excellence in professional dance. They are widely regarded as the most prestigious award presented for dance in the UK, and are considered to be the equivalent of the Laurence Olivier Awards
, which are presented for general theatre.
, London
, in 2001. The key sponsor of the event was the late Richard Sherrington and an award is now presented in his name every year. Since the first ceremony, the awards have also been hosted by the Royal Opera House
and Sadler's Wells Theatre
, with both organisations providing sponsorship for the event. Since 2004, a specially sculpted statuette has been created by Tom Merrifield Studios, and presented to the winner of the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Artwork for the rest of the awards was created by Lady Deborah MacMillan, wife of the late Sir Kenneth Macmillan. Dame Beryl Grey
is Patron of the awards.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by The Critics' Circle
The Critics' Circle
The Critics' Circle is a professional association of British critics of dance, drama, film, music, visual arts and architecture. It was established in 1913 as an offshoot of the Society of Dramatic Critics, which had been formed six years earlier but had become inactive.For many years the Circle...
, and are awarded to recognise excellence in professional dance. They are widely regarded as the most prestigious award presented for dance in the UK, and are considered to be the equivalent of the Laurence Olivier Awards
Laurence Olivier Awards
The Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
, which are presented for general theatre.
Overview
The National Dance Awards (NDAs), were first presented by The Critics' Circle at the Coliseum TheatreColiseum Theatre
The London Coliseum is an opera house and major performing venue on St. Martin's Lane, central London. It is one of London's largest and best equipped theatres and opened in 1904, designed by theatrical architect Frank Matcham , for impresario Oswald Stoll...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, in 2001. The key sponsor of the event was the late Richard Sherrington and an award is now presented in his name every year. Since the first ceremony, the awards have also been hosted by the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
and Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre
Sadler's Wells Theatre is a performing arts venue located in Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell in the London Borough of Islington. The present day theatre is the sixth on the site since 1683. It consists of two performance spaces: a 1,500 seat main auditorium and the Lilian Baylis Studio, with extensive...
, with both organisations providing sponsorship for the event. Since 2004, a specially sculpted statuette has been created by Tom Merrifield Studios, and presented to the winner of the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance. Artwork for the rest of the awards was created by Lady Deborah MacMillan, wife of the late Sir Kenneth Macmillan. Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Grey
Dame Beryl Elizabeth Grey , DBE, DMus, DLitt, Ed.D, FRSA is a retired English ballerina. She began dance classes at the age of 4 while attending Sherbourne Preparatory School, and by age 8 was being taught ballet by Phyllis Bedells...
is Patron of the awards.
Categories
The awards are judged by the critics and journalists who see and review dance companies in performance on a daily basis. There are 11 awards in all, though at the committee's discretion one or two extra awards may be given including a Patron's Award. For most of the awards there are three nominations made in each category.- Award for Outstanding Achievement
- Patron's Award
- Award for Outstanding Company
- Best Foreign Dance Company
- Best Choreography (Classical)
- Best Choreography (Modern)
- Award for Best Female Dancer
- Award for Best Male Dancer
- Outstanding Female Performance (Modern)
- Outstanding Male Performance (Modern)
- Outstanding Female Performance (Classical)
- Outstanding Male Performance (Classical)