Reece Clarke answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition

The Royal Ballet principal dancer Reece Clarke on life and career, Kuma his dog, and that he’d like to die by a stampede of puppies…

When did you start dancing?
When I was three years old.

Why did you start dancing?
I followed the path my three older brothers had laid out. We played a lot of sport and dance was just another activity to burn the energy off to begin with… Four boys in one household was a handful for my parents!

Which dancer inspired you most as a child?
My brothers and then also Carlos Acosta. Carlos’ journey and tenacity and everything he achieved throughout his career combined with his athleticism and artistry, how could it not inspire any young male dancer?!

Which dancer do you most admire?
Many for various reasons. To name one, Baryshnikov.

What’s your favourite role?
Des Grieux in Kenneth MacMillan‘s Manon. The journey that this character goes on is a real rollercoaster… but it has a special place in my heart as it was one of the first ‘meaty’ full-length productions I performed early in my career and each time I’ve revisited the role and also gotten (a little) older, I can bring real life experiences to the role which only adds to the drama and emotion.

What role have you never played but would like to?
Crown Prince Rudolf in MacMillan’s Mayerling. I’m really drawn to playing characters and perhaps experiencing emotions that I wouldn’t experience in my everyday life.

What’s your favourite ballet to watch?
Too many to choose from. I also find it fascinating watching the same productions performed by different artists I admire, to enjoy their unique interpretations.

Who is your favourite choreographer?
Sir Kenneth MacMillan. The combination of the physical challenge combined with the artistic and emotional journey his productions have are what satisfies me most as an artist.

Who is your favourite writer?
Robert Burns (if that counts).

Who is your favourite theatre or cinema director?
I recently watched some of Luca Guadagnino’s movies and love his work. Also, Christopher Nolan.

Who is your favourite actor?
Denzel Washington. Christian Bale. Again, I admire a lot of actors and watch a wide variety of tv and movies for research/inspiration. For comedy Steve Carell.

Who is your favourite singer?
Lewis Capaldi. A fellow Scot and he is also hilarious. I have to mention Hans Zimmer also – I was so lucky to perform at the late Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebration and Hans was conducting for my performance…. a dream come true!

What is your favourite book?
I’m currently reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara and I feel like this book will stay with me for a long time. I would also add The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho to that list. Another book which I like to re-read from time to time and to remind myself… enjoy the journey!

What is your favourite film?
Good Will Hunting. Interstellar. Up. I also just watched the tv series Normal People for the first time and found that very moving.

Which is your favourite city?
That’s a tough one. Recently I loved my time in Milan. But I have to say I feel most calm and at ease when I’m close to my roots in Scotland.

What do you like most about yourself?
I would like to say I’m a kind person.

What do you dislike about yourself?
My stubbornness (but there are pros and cons to being stubborn) …my stubbornness made me say this 🙂

What was your proudest moment?
Calling my parents and sharing the news when I got promoted to Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. None of my achievements would have happened without their support and their commitment towards my brothers and me.

When and where were you happiest?
Today. In this moment, I have so much to be grateful for and that makes me happy.

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My best friend Kuma.

What is your greatest fear?
Failure.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
To be able to embrace ‘down time’.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The day I was promoted to Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet.

What is your most treasured possession?
Kuma.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Buying Kuma toys. He deserves all the toys.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
People pleasing.

On what occasion do you lie?
When I tell Kuma I won’t be long.

If you hadn’t been a dancer, what would you have liked to be?
A sportsman – either a footballer or tennis player.

What is your most marked characteristic?
My sense of humour. At least I think so.

What quality do you most value in a friend?
Loyalty and a good sense of humour also.

What quality do you most value in a colleague?
A good sense of humour. It’s the primary ingredient to a happy life!

Which historical figure do you most admire?
Martin Luther King Jr. Princess Diana.

Which living person do you most admire?
My brother Ryan. He’s faced many challenges and obstacles in his life yet took it all in his stride and is now striving.

What do you most dislike?
A bad night’s sleep. I need a good eight hours minimum.

What talent would you most like to have?
I wish I spoke more languages. I guess it’s not too late…

What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Being close to nature, with my dog. The simple things in life bring me the most joy and fulfilment.

How would you like to die?
By a stampede of puppies…

What is your motto?
Why not?

Gramilano Editor

Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.

Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.

He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.