Gary Avis retires from The Royal Ballet
The Royal Ballet has announced the retirement of Gary Avis from his position as both Principal Character Artist and Senior Répétiteur.
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, said, “Gary was a magnetic performer on stage, and we know our audience will miss his presence. We wish him well in this new chapter in his life and thank him for his time with the Company.”
Gary Avis joined The Royal Ballet in 1989, rising through the ranks to become a Principal Character Artist in 2005. Over his career, he performed many major roles including Drosselmeyer (The Nutcracker), Von Rothbart (Swan Lake), Dr Coppélius (Coppélia), Tybalt and Lord Capulet (Romeo and Juliet), Monsieur G. M. (Manon), Kostchei (Firebird), Prince Gremin (Onegin), and a Stepsister (Cinderella). He also created numerous roles within The Royal Ballet’s repertoire.
In 1999, Avis left the Company to co-found K-Ballet Company in Japan and later danced with English National Ballet for two years before returning to The Royal Ballet in 2004.
Avis said, “The Royal Ballet has been such a huge part of my performing life over the last 36 years, and I have enjoyed all the roles and characters I have brought to life in both the classic productions and the new creations over those years. It has been such a privilege to be part of this Company.
“Having time to reflect over the last months, it feels like now is the right time to retire and step away quietly from the theatre. I would like to thank all those who have supported me throughout my career. I take away so many special moments and happy memories of all the performances on stage both here in London and abroad.”
Throughout his career, Avis has received numerous accolades, including Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards for Outstanding Male Classical Performance (2011, 2019). In recognition of his contribution to dance, he was awarded an MBE in 2019.
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.
Sad news. I’ve enjoyed him in so many character roles over recent years. A man of the theatre with each character so well judged, full of detail, and conveyed with flair. Will miss you Gary!
Gary, great character actor, enjoyed your performance in the Nutcracker for many years. Thank you. Enjoy the future.
I thought that Gary would always be there giving so much character and gravitas to his roles, I couldn’t imagine a ballet without him, and now his absence will take a lot of adjustment. So Prince Gremin in Onegin was his last role, and how moving it was, always when he was on stage one was drawn to his magnetic presence. He will be sadly missed. Good luck to what ever follows and I hope it will be for the stage!
A very sad day for ballet. Gary must be one the world’s greatest mime actors. His characterisations are so perfect that one has to check the cast list to make sure it is him. I hope Gary continues in some performing capacity.