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 of David Bintley’s signature works, Hobson’s Choice, which closed the 2018-19 season at London’s Sadler’s Wells and marked the company's final performances with Bintley as … [Read more...] about David Bintley announces promotions at Birmingham Royal Ballet for the last time
Ninette de Valois
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 to write that Dame Gillian Lynne DBE & my dearest wife & friend & love for 40 years passed away at 6.20pm tonight 1st July 2018 at the Princess Grace Hospital. She … [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 a question on a quiz game on the radio: “Which is the odd name out: Green Park, Hyde Park or Merle Park?” I thought, Goodness, I must have arrived! In 1979, she was contemplating … [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 great Tamara Karsavina to comment on the new Russian dancer and compare him with her Ballets Russes partner Vaslav Nijinsky.Karsavina and Nijinsky had joined Diaghilev's troupe … [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 Parish joined the Mariinsky as a Coryphée in 2010 after twiddling his thumbs for five years at The Royal Ballet. He was 23, frustrated with his spear-carrying duties and itching to … [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 choreography has been stirring up a lot of press in recent months. During a panel discussion in October last year, the Rambert Dance Company’s artistic director Mark Baldwin said, I … [Read more...] about The Gender of Choreography. Is it time for quotas?
Peter Wright answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dance Edition
Q&AWhen 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 Mona Inglesby’s International Ballet. That was in 1943, and is what decided me.When did you start choreographing? My initial attempts where for the Sunday Choreographers, a … [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 partner for Don Quixote at La Scala, Ivan Vasiliev, who has withdrawn as he is recovering from a bout of pneumonia. Instead of Ivan, I will dance with Claudio Coviello: very young … [Read more...] about Tamara Rojo on Ivan Vasiliev: everyone makes their own choices
Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Q&AWhen did you start dancing? I started dancing at 8 years old and then I joined the Royal Ballet School full time at 14Why did you start dancing? I’m not sure why… I was probably influenced through films and TV.Which dancer inspired you most as a child? As a child Carlos Acosta and Michael Flatley. I love Irish dancing!Which dancer do you most … [Read more...] about Introducing… Brandon Lawrence, Birmingham Royal Ballet
Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition
Q&AWhen 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 4 years older than I am, dragged me along. I kinda fell for it a little... but I fell for the girls more! I was the only boy there.Which dancer inspired you most as a … [Read more...] about Bennet Gartside answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Dancers’ Edition