In an interview to coincide with William Forsythe’s A Quiet Evening of Dance at Sadler’s Wells, The Sunday Times’ David Jay spoke to the choreographer about a period as a young man when he worked as ‘a club dancer’. Forsythe was quick to correct: I worked as a stripper. Why not? It’s great money. Refreshingly forthright. It’s difficult to imagine Frederick Ashton saying such … [Read more...]
Ivan Putrov is once again swimming Against the Stream with a new project at The London Coliseum
Ivan Putrov, former principal of The Royal Ballet who conceived and produced the Men in Motion galas starting in 2012 — which he continues to produce — has a new venture. Against the Stream, a one-off gala performance, will celebrate some of ballet’s greatest pioneers. The evening will celebrate some of the remarkable choreographers who took ballet to new heights by daring to … [Read more...]
Meet Francesco Gabriele Frola — National Ballet of Canada and English National Ballet’s new Principal Dancer
Italian ballet dancer Francesco Gabriele Frola has been promoted to Principal Dancer of the National Ballet of Canada and at the same time becomes a Principal at English National Ballet. Dance is in his DNA. His parents, both former dancers, run a dancing school, Professione Danza, in Parma, the city where Gabriele spent the first 16 years of his life. He is the eldest of four … [Read more...]
Pia Russo and the art of teaching ballet
Pia Russo is a highly respected Italian ballet teacher, currently working at the Ballet School of Teatro San Carlo in Naples, one of the world’s oldest ballet schools, founded in 1812 by Salvatore Taglioni, uncle of the celebrated Maria. She is known for her passion, dedication and meticulous preparation. After her dancing career ended, she studied ballet pedagogy for two … [Read more...]
James Hobley, Britain’s Got Talent’s autistic dancer, now 19 leaves ENB’s school to join Scottish Ballet
James Hobley, first known to the general public as a Britain’s Got Talent finalist in 2011, has graduated from English National Ballet School and has a contract to start his professional career with Scottish Ballet. I wrote about his story three years ago, because it is extraordinary and reads like a fable. Here is the beginning of that article about James becoming a … [Read more...]