Michael Somes is the unsung hero of the Royal Ballet - the dynamo driving performances as dancer and partner to Margot Fonteyn and as overseer of performances in the company's greatest years. Somes … [Read more...] about Dynamo – Sarah Woodcock’s new biography of The Royal Ballet star Michael Somes
Ninette de Valois
[Review] Snifters, anyone? The Australian Ballet brings Jewels to London
Jonathan Gray sees Jewels with The Australian Ballet at The Royal Opera House TitleJewelsCompanyThe Australian BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate2 August 2023ReviewerJonathan Gray This … [Read more...] about [Review] Snifters, anyone? The Australian Ballet brings Jewels to London
The Royal Ballet celebrates Wayne Sleep’s 75th birthday
On Monday 17 July 2023, the Royal Opera House will host an afternoon of entertainment to celebrate the 75th birthday of former Royal Ballet Principal dancer Wayne Sleep. Distinctively “diminutive … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates Wayne Sleep’s 75th birthday
[Review] Awakening the Beauty. Two Royal Ballet Auroras: Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Mayara Magri
Guest author Jonathan Gray sees two Sleeping Beauty casts at The Royal Opera House, London TitleThe Sleeping BeautyCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe Royal Opera House, LondonDate17 and 19 January … [Read more...] about [Review] Awakening the Beauty. Two Royal Ballet Auroras: Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Mayara Magri
The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
I’ve always been interested in how some theatrical works survive the years, and some do not. Giacomo Meyerbeer, for example, was probably the most famous opera composer of the middle years of the 19th … [Read more...] about The lonely father – Jonathan Gray reviews a new biography of the choreographer John Cranko
Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Beryl Grey, who has died at the age of 95, was a ballerina, director, administrator, and patron of many dance organisations, who had a distinguished international career but was quintessentially a … [Read more...] about Dame Beryl Grey: an obituary by Mary Clarke
Sir Peter Wright becomes ‘Founding Director Laureate Of Birmingham Royal Ballet’ at 95
Forty-five years after Sir Peter Wright was appointed Director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) announces that his title will change from Director Laureate to Founding … [Read more...] about Sir Peter Wright becomes ‘Founding Director Laureate Of Birmingham Royal Ballet’ at 95
[Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
After Covid infections forced the premiere and subsequent performances to be cancelled, Monday 21 December will finally see the opening night of La Scala's new production of Rudolf Nureyev's La … [Read more...] about [Photo album] First look at La Scala’s new Bayadère
Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
La Bayadère, one of the key ballets in the classical repertoire, premiered in St Petersburg in 1877. Marius Petipa created a perfect harmony between mass scenes and protagonists, and it was the … [Read more...] about Countdown to Bayadère – casting and designs for La Scala’s opening
[Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
Tomorrow, The Royal Ballet unveils a new mixed bill, the Beauty Mixed Programme. It reflects a phrase said by the company's founder Dame Ninette de Valois: Respect the past, herald the future but … [Read more...] about [Photo Album] The Royal Ballet’s “Beauty Mixed Programme”
The Royal Ballet’s Beauty Mixed Programme to be streamed live
The Royal Ballet, in its 90th anniversary year, is mounting a broad range of classics and new work during this season and into the next. In honour of the company’s founder, Dame Ninette de … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet’s Beauty Mixed Programme to be streamed live
Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97
The great Russian dancer, Violetta Elvin, dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Company and prima ballerina of The Royal Ballet, died on 27 May at the age of 97. Elvin had lived in Vico Equense in the … [Read more...] about Violetta Elvin, Royal Ballet prima ballerina, dies at 97
Royal Ballet School students recreate founder Dame Ninette de Valois’s ‘lost’ choreography
Ninette de Valois’ 1925 ballet The Arts of the Theatre is to be restaged for a livestream performance. The attempt to recreate de Valois’ ballet has been made possible by the discovery of a … [Read more...] about Royal Ballet School students recreate founder Dame Ninette de Valois’s ‘lost’ choreography
[Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
Italian producer Daniele Cipriani seems to be resuscitating dance in Italy almost singlehandedly. The first main dance event in the country was conceived by him and presented in mid-July to open the … [Read more...] about [Review] Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus with striking Capucci costumes
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 … [Read more...] about Interview: The Royal Ballet’s Ballet Master, Christopher Carr, on mounting Coppélia, the company’s dancers and technique
David Bintley announces promotions at Birmingham Royal Ballet for the last time
Brandon Lawrence has been promoted from First Soloist to Principal at Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley has announced. The past weekend has seen enthusiastic applause for performances of one … [Read more...] about David Bintley announces promotions at Birmingham Royal Ballet for the last time
Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
A tweet from Peter Land on Dame Gillian Lynne’s account on Sunday evening, 1 July, announced that the beloved choreographer had died - she was 92: Rest In Peace my darling Gillie. I am heartbroken … [Read more...] about Tributes to choreographer Dame Gillian Lynne flood in from the worlds of musicals and ballet
Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?
Merle Park, the engine driver’s daughter from Rhodesia (modern Zimbabwe), ended up being one of The Royal Ballet’s brightest stars. She says that she first realised she’d become famous when she heard … [Read more...] about Interview with The Royal Ballet’s Merle Park in 1979: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?
Tamara Karsavina compares Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky
Rudolf Nureyev defected to the West in 1961 and later that same year he danced with Margot Fonteyn for the first time, and the following year he joined The Royal Ballet. In 1963, the BBC asked the … [Read more...] about Tamara Karsavina compares Rudolf Nureyev and Vaslav Nijinsky
Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
You were recently promoted to First Soloist at the Mariinsky Ballet. Happy? Yes, I was promoted after a show of Giselle back in January and it was quite out of the blue! Leaving the corps Xander … [Read more...] about Xander Parish on life with the Mariinsky Ballet
The Gender of Choreography. Is it time for quotas?
Is it time for quotas? This was one of many questions discussed at a Dance Umbrella debate, part of the Big Dance 2016 events, at the beginning of this month. The subject of gender inequality in … [Read more...] about The Gender of Choreography. Is it time for quotas?
Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? Not until I was 16, as an apprentice with the Ballets Jooss. Why did you start dancing? I was always good at ballroom, and then my mother took me to see … [Read more...] about Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Tamara Rojo on Ivan Vasiliev: everyone makes their own choices
It's a shame, but I am not going to criticise him. Everyone makes their own health choices: in the past, I risked a lot by dancing with an appendicitis. Tamara Rojo was talking about her intended … [Read more...] about Tamara Rojo on Ivan Vasiliev: everyone makes their own choices
Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started dancing at 8 years old and then I joined the Royal Ballet School full time at 14 Why did you start dancing? I’m not sure why… I was probably … [Read more...] about Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I was probably about 7 years old. Why did you start dancing? Apparently I was energetic as a child - I have no idea where that's gone now! My sister who's … [Read more...] about Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Thiago Soares answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? I started age 15. Why did you start dancing? When I joined the Centro de Dança Rio it felt right, and I felt like I had found something that I had … [Read more...] about Thiago Soares answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Mara Galeazzi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start dancing? When I was 6. Why did you start dancing? At first was for fun. Which dancer inspired you most as a child? Alessandra Ferri, Carla Fracci and Pina … [Read more...] about Mara Galeazzi answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Fifty years of the Royal Ballet
The Proud Galleries in Chelsea launch its first ever exhibition dedicated to ballet with Fifty Years of the Royal Ballet, photographs by Colin Jones. Born in 1936 as the son of an East London … [Read more...] about Fifty years of the Royal Ballet
The Royal Ballet School – Ninette de Valois: Adventurous Traditionalist
The Royal Ballet School is to host a Conference to mark the 10th Anniversary of the death of the Founder of The Royal Ballet School and Companies, Dame Ninette de Valois OM, CH, DBE (1898 - … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet School – Ninette de Valois: Adventurous Traditionalist
