Ballet United Gala at Cadogan Hall

Ballet United promises illustrious names from major international companies, among them Britain's Royal Ballet and Northern Ballet, and Dutch National Ballet and Paris Opera Ballet.

They will dance an exciting selection of works old and new: much-loved pas-de-deux from the classical repertoire alongside works from such eminent choreographers as the Dutch veteran Hans van Manen and former Paris Opera Director, Benjamin Millepied.

Interspersed with the work from the veterans, Ballet United will present specially commissioned pieces from three younger choreographers: the Royal Ballet’s Valentino Zucchetti, Nicola Gervasi from the Northern Ballet and Umut Özdaloglu, about whom not much is yet known.

Galas can be hit-and-miss affairs, depending to a large extent on the ability of the organisers and the host venue to keep a show running smoothly, with proper lighting and no yawning gaps between numbers. Cadogan Hall has considerable experience with high profile events, so it should be able to host a professional and enjoyable show.

Live music always helps, and we’re promised the dancers will be accompanied by world-class musicians.

Ballet United’s mission is to bring ballet to a wider and more diverse audience. The brainchild of Tom Attard-Manché, its self-proclaimed aim is to 'display diversity on all levels, engage a wider audience' and promote 'greater involvement' from a wider public. Hence its Billy Elliot-like introductory video.

Ballet United’s Gala will give its audience a rare opportunity to sample the varied artistry of a number of international dancers and all for a good cause – an intriguing and certainly very tempting proposition!

Full list of participating companies: The Royal Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Semperoper Dresden, Northern Ballet, Norwegian National Ballet, Vienna State Ballet and Rome Opera Ballet.