John Cranko became acquainted with Alexander Pushkin’s verse-novel Eugene Onegin when he choreographed the dances for Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky’s opera of the same name in 1952. He created his own distinctive version of Pushkin’s work in 1965 for the Stuttgart Ballet. Onegin displays all of Cranko’s genius as a narrative choreographer, featuring finely drawn characters who are … [Read more...] about Photo Album: The Royal Ballet in Onegin with Natalia Osipova, Reece Clarke, Francesca Hayward, Matthew Ball and Gary Avis
Gary Avis
Francesca Hayward – find out more about The Royal Ballet’s star of the movie Cats
Francesca Hayward, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, has a leading role in the film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, directed by Academy Award winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, Les Misérables, The Danish Girl). The much-criticised film - both positively and negatively, though mostly the latter - has seen praise poured on Hayward who plays the white cat, … [Read more...] about Francesca Hayward – find out more about The Royal Ballet’s star of the movie Cats
Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
Everyone who has followed The Royal Ballet in rehearsal during World Ballet Day or watched the interval clips and interviews during the intervals of the company’s live cinema relays will know Christopher Carr. The Royal Ballet’s Guest Principal Ballet Master isn’t afraid of raising his voice, clapping his hands loudly and stamping the floor with his feet. He gets results, which … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
Photo Album: tonight’s Royal Ballet opening cast in Coppélia
Coppélia 28 November 2019 – 7 January 2020 The performance lasts about 2 hours and 35 minutes, including two intervals. Cast (opening night, 28 November 2019) Swanilda: Francesca Hayward Franz: Alexander Campbell Dr Coppélius: Gary Avis Coppélia was a landmark production when it first hit the stage in 1870. Its positive mood marked a break with the rather heavier, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: tonight’s Royal Ballet opening cast in Coppélia
Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet
Last night, 8 June 2019, The Royal Ballet celebrated the centenary of the birth of its most famous ballerina, Dame Margot Fonteyn, who was born on 18 May 1919. A performance of The Firebird, currently in a triple bill, was followed by a gala of extracts from ballets representing some of Fonteyn’s most celebrated roles. Another dame, Dame Darcey Bussell, also appeared on stage … [Read more...] about Photos and full programme of Margot Fonteyn, A Celebration with The Royal Ballet
The Royal Ballet in Japan and Los Angeles – dates and casting
The Royal Ballet tours to Japan and Los Angeles this summer, presenting signature work from the Company’s repertory, a world premiere by Wayne McGregor and community engagement projects. Tokyo, Bunka Kaikan Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote, 21 – 26 June Yokohama, Kanagawa Kenwin Hall Royal Ballet Gala, 29 – 30 June Los Angeles, The Music Center Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Kenneth … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet in Japan and Los Angeles – dates and casting
Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
The Firebird / A Month in the Country / Symphony in C The curtain has just gone up on The Royal Ballet's latest triple bill and here are the first photos. The flash of a firebird, a family sent into a spin and a classical ballet explosion. Michel Fokine's The Firebird with Igor Stravinsky's music is a ground-breaking classic of the early 20th-century that draws on the story, … [Read more...] about Photo Album: first look at The Royal Ballet’s new triple bill
Photo Album: Nutcracker with The Royal Ballet – in cinemas live
Curtain goes up on The Royal Ballet's Nutcracker at 7.30pm local time tonight and will be broadcast to cinemas internationally. Clara is Anna Rose O'Sullivan and Hans-Peter/The Nutcracker is Marcelino Sambé. The Sugar Plum Fairy is danced by Marianela Nuñez and The Prince by Vadim Muntagirov. Drosselmeyer is Gary Avis and Barry Wordsworth conducts the Orchestra of the Royal … [Read more...] about Photo Album: Nutcracker with The Royal Ballet – in cinemas live
Royal Ballet’s uplifting Nutcracker with Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, James Hay and the ubiquitous Gary Avis
Seeing Peter Wright's The Nutcracker again after several years of witnessing other productions brings its success as a dramatic piece to the fore. Placing the traditional story within an outer tale of Drosselmeyer separated from, and then reunited with, his nephew Hans-Peter, adds a level of genuine emotion which cannot be matched by seeing a little girl finding her lost wooden … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet’s uplifting Nutcracker with Francesca Hayward, Alexander Campbell, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, James Hay and the ubiquitous Gary Avis
Dame Merle Park on a ballerina’s need for rest and energy: I have six spoonfuls of sugar in my tea
Back in the days when Merle Park was a CBE — she became Dame Merle in 1986 — she left this interview with a British women’s magazine. It makes interesting, and amusing, reading almost 40 years later. Dame Merle Park will celebrate her 80th birthday on 8 October this year. At times my energy has been at a very low ebb I always have more energy in a hot climate than in a … [Read more...] about Dame Merle Park on a ballerina’s need for rest and energy: I have six spoonfuls of sugar in my tea
