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The dance scene in Berlin is becoming increasingly large as the interest in contemporary dance greatens and the numbers of dancers coming to Berlin multiplies. The dance scene’s profile has become even higher recently since the mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, mentioned its importance so often in his election speeches. With choreographers from New York and Hong Kong, contemporary dance has looked ever further afield and it is now common to see touring companies from the capital in any major dance festival in the world. Berlin has always had a strong classical dance tradition and even here there is room for innovative and cutting-edge productions such as Der Traum des Minotaurs (The Minotaur’s Dream) at the Komische Oper. However, if a conventional but brilliantly fine-tuned production of Tchaikovsky is more your scene, the city will not disappoint. Deutsche Oper, Bismarckstr. 35, T 343 84 01, http://www.deutsche- oper.berlin.de U-Bahn Deutsche Oper. The Deutsche Oper is much smaller than the Staatsoper with a ballet corps of only 30. The director is Sylviane Baynard who has gently nudged the ballet’s style towards a more forward-looking position. Hebbel-Theater, Stresemannstr. 13A, T 25 90 04 27, http://www.hebbel-theater.de S-Bahn and U-Bahn Friedrichstr. Home of the avant-garde, this theatre has propelled modern dance into Berlin through hosting companies such as Mikhail Barishnikov's White Oak Dance Project. Each February the theatre puts on Tanz im Winter, a three-week dance festival; and each summer Tanz im August, also for three weeks. Komische Oper, Behrenstr. 55-7, T 20 26 00, http://www.komische-oper-berlin.de S-Bahn Unter den Linden, U-Bahn Französische Str. The Komische Oper has Spain's Blance Li as its ballet director. On the classically elegant stage hidden behind a drab exterior there are plenty of experimental ballets regularly performed. Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Unter den Linden 5-7, T 20 35 40, http://www.staatsoper-berlin.org U-Bahn Französische Str. The Staatsoper with 64 members is the largest of Berlin's ballets. Vladimir Malakhov became director of the ballet in 2002 and will only add to its already impressive reputation as the home of romantic tradition with productions such as Giselle and Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty) performed regularly. Theater am Halleschen Ufer, Hallesches Ufer 32, T 251 06 55, http://www.thub.de U-Bahn Hallesches Tor, U-Bahn Möckernbrücke. This theatre supports contemporary, independent dance groups and has been actively involved in the success of some of the city's young talent. If you are very interested in contemporary dance try and go to a matinee production as there are usually audience discussions afterwards. The Solo Duo festival held here in March reflects global dance trends.
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