This week's new dance

Ballets Russes, London The V&A might be late with the launch of its Diaghilev exhibition – the Ballets Russes' centenary celebrations were last year – but it compensates by bringing together 70 costumes and over 200 related items charting the company's existence. Records of the talents engaged within the company are provided via photographs of dancers and choreographers such as Nijinsky and Fokine; manuscripts of scores composed by Stravinsky et al; plus sketches and maquettes of designs created by the likes of Matisse and Coco Chanel. We see how the company reflected the changing artistic landscape of Europe, from the belle époch exoticism of the prewar years, through the futurist, cubist and constructivist phases of the avant garde. Curator Jane Pritchard has scored a particular coup in getting her hands on the giant drop curtain painted by Picasso for Le Train Bleu, plus Coco Chanel's elegant sportswear-influenced costumes. V&A Museum, SW7, Sat to 9 Jan Russell Maliphant Company: Afterlight, London Maliphant's latest started out as a 15-minute solo, commissioned last year for the Wells' centenary tribute to Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Afterlight was inspired by Vaslav Nijinsky and also by the drawings Nijinsky made relating to his own choreography; abstract circular patterns that traced the flow of the dancer's movement. Maliphant's initial solo was highly abstract in style: a meditative, spinning dance that had soloist Daniel Proietto almost disappear into music and light. For this new version, Proietto is joined by two dancers, and more overt reference is made to Nijinsky himself through projected images of him dancing in L'Après-midi d'un faune and Jeux. Music by Andy Cowton has been added to the original Satie score, and lighting, as always, is by the wonderful Michael Hulls. Sadler's Wells, EC1, Tue, Wed Royal Ballet: Onegin, London The Royal opens its new season in popular, albeit predictable style, with a revival of John Cranko's 1965 ballet Onegin. Some aspects of this setting of Pushkin's verse novel have dated somewhat. But its central narrative, the interlocking story of its four principal lovers, is told with invention and power as the ballet tracks the unrequited passion between Tatiana and Onegin, the pointless tragedy that separates Lensky from Olga. The role of Tatiana, in particular, is a fine dramatic opportunity for its ballerina as the character matures from romantic innocent to a conflicted society woman. First cast this season includes Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg, with notable performances to follow from Laura Morera, Thiago Soares, Melissa Hamilton and Sergei Polunin. Royal Opera House, WC2, Thu to 25 Oct