Iconique 2026 - Director’s note.

With the last traces of sand shaken from our suitcases, we caught up with our Director, Matt Brady, to reflect on our two sold-out performances of Iconique at The Island House, Nassau in The Bahamas.

Iconique 2026 proved a resounding success, seamlessly uniting world-class artistry with a continued commitment to championing Bahamian talent.

“Ballet and Opera may not sit at the centre of contemporary culture Mr Chalamet,” Matt observed, “but Iconique yet again reveals the enduring depth of their connection with audiences worldwide.”

As Covent Garden Dance marks its 20th anniversary year, there is much to celebrate. From the creation of new works and the nurturing of emerging talent, to captivating loyal audiences and inspiring a new generation of dance lovers, our productions continue to embody all that is the most compelling about the art form.

In its third Bahamas presentation, Iconique 2026 once again welcomed an exceptional roster of international artists. Paris Opera Ballet Étoile Myriam Ould-Braham, renowned for her diaphanous style, partnered by Mickaël Lafon, enchanted audiences with the celebrated ‘kissing’ pas de deux from Le Parc. New York City Ballet principals, Sara Mearns and Robbie Fairchild brought luminous depth to Christopher Wheeldon’s “The Two of Us.” Xander Parish and Joy Womack ignited the stage, bringing the brilliance of Marinsky-honed classical technique to a vivid and commanding “Firebird,” with Womack also delivering a deeply moving interpretation of Fokine’s “Dying Swan.”

Photo credit: Eddy Raphael

A particular highlight of this year’s programme was the continued commitment to nurturing Bahamian talent. Courtney Celeste Fox returned to create the second part of In Time Part II, developed in collaboration with students selected from dance schools across The Bahamas, offering a powerful and authentic reflection of emerging local artistry. The work was further elevated by the Iconique debut of Bahamian soprano Stanesha Diligence, whose remarkable voice brought a striking new dimension to the piece.

We were also honoured to welcome the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the First Lady to our opening night performance, whose presence underscored the cultural significance of the event and its growing place within the nation’s artistic landscape.

In Time Part II - Photo credit: Eddy Raphael

We also extend our warmest congratulations to Ian Poitier, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, and all those involved in the creation of The Creative and Performing Arts School of The Bahamas (CAPAS). Now formally enshrined through an Act of Parliament, CAPAS stands as a landmark achievement—established as a national institution and set to become the first performing arts school of its scale and ambition in the Caribbean.

This historic moment, marked by the assent of Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, signals a powerful commitment to the future of the arts in The Bahamas. It represents not only an investment in education, but a lasting legacy for generations of young artists to come.

With near sold-out performances, idyllic conditions and the steadfast support of the local community, Iconique 2026 stood as a refined testament to the powerful synergy of international excellence and artistry united on stage.

As we look ahead to our 20th Anniversary of the Covent Garden Dance Company this July, we are heartened by the overwhelming response - with 70% of our seats sold at our UK flagship venue, Hatch House, it is a humbling endorsement, and one we carry forward with pride and renewed inspiration.

With near sold-out performances, idyllic conditions and the steadfast support of the local community, Iconique 2026 stood as a refined testament to the powerful synergy of international excellence and artistry united on stage.

We cannot wait to return to Hatch House for Ballet Under The Stars on Friday 24th, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th July 2026.

Tickets start at £185 and include, a beautiful three course gourmet dinner and all 12 world class performances. Grounds open at 5:30pm and shut at 1:30am. Post show, the audience are invited to join us in the cocktail lounge for drinks and dancing till 1am. The full programme will be announced throughout May & June - please subscribe to our mailing list for exclusive news.

Emma Hawes & Gareth Haw, English National Ballet - Ballet Under The Stars 2025
Photo credit: Alice Pennefather

If you wish to make an enquiry about booking tickets to Ballet Under The Stars, please click on the booking button below.

Iconique 2025 - Director’s Note

It was a distinct honour to present the second season of Iconique this past March at the renowned Old Fort Bay Club on New Providence Island, in the Bahamas. Across the weekend of March 7th and 8th, our company had the privilege of performing a rich and diverse programme in an open-air setting that remains one of the most exquisite in the world.

Photo credit - Eddy Raphael.

For the first time, we also offered a children’s matinee on Sunday morning—an energetic and joy-filled performance led by the luminous Courtney Celeste Spears, which was met with enthusiasm and delight by the next generation of Bahamian dance lovers.

Lauren Cuthbertson & Robbie Fairchild performing Christopher Wheeldon’s Mercurial Manoeuvres. Photo credit - Eddy Raphael.

The natural elements, once again, proved gracious. As the final notes of our dress rehearsal faded into the evening, the coastal winds calmed, blessing our opening night with near-perfect conditions and an atmosphere befitting the beauty of ballet beneath the stars.

We were delighted to read Mark Monahan’s report on Iconique and our upcoming Hatch House events. You can read the The Telegraph’s esteemed Chief Dance Critic and Arts Editor’s report by clicking the button below.

Among the many artistic highlights of this year’s edition was the creation and world premiere of an original work conceived and brought to life by Bahamian talent. Collaborating with the extraordinary Courtney Celeste Spears and her partner Vernal Adley, alongside acclaimed Bahamian composer Giveton Gelin, we sought to honor the cultural vibrancy of the island itself.

Photo credit: Robyn Damianos.

With the generous support of six local patrons and the creative vision of fashion designer Phylicia Ellis, this new piece emerged as a heartfelt celebration of Bahamian artistry. It is a rare and meaningful occasion when a work speaks so directly to the place in which it is born—this was one such moment.

To welcome choreographic works by some of the most significant figures in the canon of 20th and 21st-century ballet was both a privilege and a profound responsibility. The inclusion of George Balanchine, whose neoclassical innovations redefined the vocabulary of ballet; Maurice Béjart, whose theatrical vision electrified audiences and embraced the existential edge of dance; Benjamin Millepied, whose kinetic modernism continues to resonate with new audiences; and Christopher Wheeldon, whose seamless blend of classical structure and contemporary lyricism positions him as one of the leading choreographers of our time—each contributed to a program that celebrated the ever-evolving art of ballet.

Kateryna Chebykina & Alejandro Virelles performing George Balanchine’s Diamonds’ pas de deux.
Photo credit: Eddy Raphael

In particular, to present two works by Christopher Wheeldon—performed impeccably by Royal Ballet principal Lauren Cuthbertson and Broadway and New York City Ballet star Robbie Fairchild—was a personal milestone. That they accomplished such breath-taking performances with only five days of rehearsal, each learning a new piece in that time, speaks not only to their prodigious talent but to the passion and urgency that defines truly great artistry.

Lauren Cuthbertson & Robbie Fairchild performing Christopher Wheeldon’s Within the Golden Hour.
Photo credit - Eddy Raphael

Set to music by the likes of Georges Bizet, Sergei Prokofiev, and contemporary composer Ezio Bosso, our programme paid homage to the powerful union of choreography and musical composition—a cornerstone of ballet’s history from Petipa and Tchaikovsky to the present day.

Seojun Joon & Mikael Lafon performing Benjamin Millepied’s Nuits s'achève.

To work with a cast of this calibre, in a country of such beauty and warmth, and to contribute—however modestly—to the cultural dialogue of the Bahamas has been one of the great joys of my professional life. Ballet Iconique exists not only as a celebration of movement but as a living testament to ballet’s ability to evolve, to connect, and to inspire.

Matt Brady
Director

Curtain call
Photo credit - Eddy Raphael