Phoenix Dance Theatre are delighted to announce we have won the Company Prize for Outstanding Repertoire (Modern) in the 2006 Critic’s Circle National Dance Awards. On Thursday 25 January 2007, Artistic Director, Javier De Frutos joined the stars of the dance world at a glittering ceremony at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, London, hosted by long-time supporter of the Awards, Angela Rippon OBE.

Artistic Director, Javier De Frutos said as he collected the award “Quite a few people have asked me since my appointment, “how is it going with Phoenix” - well, apparently very well!”

The award is for Phoenix’s Stories In Red mixed bill, which toured the UK in Spring 2006. The programme included two Sadler’s Wells co-commissions and premiered at the top London dance-house, before touring to venues including Phoenix’s Leeds home - the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Stories In Red featured the first Phoenix work by new Artistic Director, Javier De Frutos (Nopalitos) and was also the last curated by previous Artistic Director Darshan Singh Bhuller.

The award is the culmination of an exciting 25th anniversary year for Phoenix, in which the company embarked on a five-week tour of the USA. The Stories In Red mixed bill was also nominated for a South Bank Show Award and the Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards. Most recently, Artistic Director, Javier De Frutos received an Olivier nomination for ‘Best Theatre Choreographer’ for his work on the hit West-End Musical, Cabaret.

Founded in 1913, the Critics’ Circle comprises most of the professional critics working in this country. The National Dance Awards were established in 1999 by the Dance Section of the Circle and are the only professional awards of their kind in this country. The aim of the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards is the celebration of dance and dancers in Britain. The awards have rapidly become the dance event of the year drawing together the entire industry in sharing the very best of dance and ballet in the UK.

Attendees of the Awards ceremony included renowned ballerina Darcey Bussell; Director of the Royal Ballet, Monica Mason; Arlene Phillips, well known choreographer and Strictly Come Dancing judge; Michael Waldman, director of Ballet Who!; Culture Minister, David Lammy; Chief Executive & Artistic Director of Sadler’s Wells, Alistair Spalding; and Strictly Ballroom star, Lionel Blair.