On 29 October Jann Parry saw RAD's Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2023 The competition formerly known as the (Adeline) Genée returned to London after a hiatus because of Covid … [Read more...] about The Fonteyn at His Majesty’s – Margot Fonteyn International Ballet Competition 2023
Royal Ballet School
Ballet schools worldwide commit to a collective future with aDvANCE conference
The aDvANCE conference took place over three days at The Royal Ballet School’s White Lodge in Richmond Park from 28 September to 1 October 2023. The conference focused on understanding … [Read more...] about Ballet schools worldwide commit to a collective future with aDvANCE conference
[Interview] Valentino Zucchetti on Anemoi, his work for The Royal Ballet
It is almost a decade since I last spoke to dancer and choreographer Valentino Zucchetti. In that time there have been some major changes in his career, and now his one-act ballet Anemoi, commissioned … [Read more...] about [Interview] Valentino Zucchetti on Anemoi, his work for The Royal Ballet
Dance writer Luke Jennings on body shaming at UK’s top ballet schools
Panorama investigates claims of bullying and body shaming at two of the UK's top ballet schools, The Royal Ballet School in London and Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham. This is how the BBC … [Read more...] about Dance writer Luke Jennings on body shaming at UK’s top ballet schools
[Review] English National Ballet’s Our Voices triple bill – “Art isn’t easy… and it shouldn’t be.”
Matthew Paluch sees English National Ballet’s Our Voices triple bill TitleOur VoicesCompanyEnglish National BalletVenueSadler's Wells, LondonDate21 September 2023ReviewerMatthew Paluch There's a … [Read more...] about [Review] English National Ballet’s Our Voices triple bill – “Art isn’t easy… and it shouldn’t be.”
The Royal Ballet celebrates Bronislava Nijinska in free livestream
On Saturday 18 November at the Royal Opera House’s Clore Studio, The Royal Ballet will present an extended Insight event to celebrate the innovative creative genius of Bronislava Nijinska. The … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet celebrates Bronislava Nijinska in free livestream
Scientists join with the Royal Ballet School to unlock advances in performance science
“Elite dancers face similar physical challenges to those of elite athletes, and it's essential that they possess the physical preparedness necessary to withstand the associated stresses.” Dr Louis … [Read more...] about Scientists join with the Royal Ballet School to unlock advances in performance science
[Review and Photo Album] The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance 2023
Jann Parry sees The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance at The Royal Opera House TitleThe Royal Ballet School Summer PerformanceCompanyThe Royal Ballet SchoolVenueThe Royal Opera House, … [Read more...] about [Review and Photo Album] The Royal Ballet School Summer Performance 2023
Meet the 24 graduating Royal Ballet School students – 100% leave with contracts
All 24 of the pre-professional students at The Royal Ballet School [meet them below] have won contracts for the upcoming season which will take them to Canada and many US cities, to Finland, Denmark, … [Read more...] about Meet the 24 graduating Royal Ballet School students – 100% leave with contracts
The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, new joiners and leavers
Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O'Hare, has announced the promotions, new joiners and leavers for The Royal Ballet’s 2023/24 Season. The dancers have been on spectacular form during the … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet announces company promotions, new joiners and leavers
English National Ballet promotions and joiners for the 2023/2024 season
Aaron S Watkin, Artistic Director Designate of English National Ballet today announced promotions within the Company together with joiners for the 2023/2024 season. Promotions The following … [Read more...] about English National Ballet promotions and joiners for the 2023/2024 season
[Interview] The authentic and passionate Laura Morera – a career without limits
After 27 years with The Royal Ballet, Laura Morera's final performance at the Royal Opera House is on 17 June in Kenneth MacMillan’s Anastasia Act III. She dances on the company’s visit to … [Read more...] about [Interview] The authentic and passionate Laura Morera – a career without limits
Position. Positioned? Positioning… working environment standards in the dance world
An essay discussing the working environment standards of the arts/dance world and suggested strategies for continued evolvement. Anyone who knows me, or my writing, will no doubt let out an … [Read more...] about Position. Positioned? Positioning… working environment standards in the dance world
Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich
Birmingham Royal Ballet will say farewell to Principal dancer Brandon Lawrence at the end of the 2022/2023 season when he leaves to join Ballett Zürich for Cathy Marston’s first season as … [Read more...] about Principal Brandon Lawrence to leave Birmingham Royal Ballet to join Ballett Zürich
Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
8 March 1939 – 7 March 2023 Lynn Seymour died on 7 March 2023 at the age of 83. The Royal Ballet announced: “The Royal Ballet is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Lynn Seymour on 7 March on … [Read more...] about Tributes to the great ballerina Lynn Seymour who has died at 83
Choreography – concerns and considerations about the future of ballet
Ballet needs help. There's no denying it. In fact, the Arts and Humanities do in general, as the current UK government seems to think we can do away with them and still live a full life. So, to … [Read more...] about Choreography – concerns and considerations about the future of ballet
[Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
Guest author Matthew Paluch sees the 10th-anniversary performance of Men in Motion TitleMen in MotionCompanyIvan Putrov's Men in MotionVenueThe London ColiseumDate6 November 2022ReviewerMatthew … [Read more...] about [Review] Men in Motion: the male dance spectacular still delivers, ten years on
Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77
Patricia Ruanne was born in Leeds in the north of England in 1945, and studied at the Royal Ballet School from the age of 13, joining the Royal Ballet in 1962 where she became principal in 1969. She … [Read more...] about Ballerina and coach Patricia Ruanne has died at 77
[Review] World premiere of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage for The Royal Ballet
Guest author Matthew Paluch reviews the opening night of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage, her first full-length ballet for The Royal Ballet. TitleLight of PassageCompanyThe Royal BalletVenueThe … [Read more...] about [Review] World premiere of Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage for The Royal Ballet
Director of The Royal Ballet announces promotions, new joiners and leavers for 2022-2023
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, says: The wonderful accomplishments of the Company, the verve and commitment of every member, have resulted in an extraordinary Season with our return to … [Read more...] about Director of The Royal Ballet announces promotions, new joiners and leavers for 2022-2023
In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine…
In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine, my Danza in Italia column talks about La Scala Ballet’s exciting new dancer Alice Mariani as she comes to the end of her first season with the company. I … [Read more...] about In the July edition of Dancing Times magazine…
Reece Clarke and William Bracewell become Royal Ballet principal dancers
The Royal Ballet has two new principal dancers: Reece Clarke and William Bracewell. Recent departures by Federico Bonelli and Edward Watson have given The Royal Ballet’s director the opportunity to … [Read more...] about Reece Clarke and William Bracewell become Royal Ballet principal dancers
London Children’s Ballet: eliminating barriers to talent
The four-month rehearsal and performance experience is free of charge, which means there is no barrier to talent, so London Children's Ballet dancers come from every economic, social and ethnic … [Read more...] about London Children’s Ballet: eliminating barriers to talent
[Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”
When I was three, I was already living out stories in my head and had the feeling of another reality calling me. Even though my parents didn't go to the theatre, I said, “I want to go to dance … [Read more...] about [Interview] Alessandra Ferri, part two: “When dance saved me”
UK’s top dance schools Unite for Ukraine
Six of the UK’s top dance schools will unite in support of young people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine with a special gala performance, Unite for Ukraine at … [Read more...] about UK’s top dance schools Unite for Ukraine
Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine
Former Royal Ballet stars and impresarios Ivan Putrov (Ukraine) and Alina Cojocaru (Romania) are putting on Dance for Ukraine, a benefit gala at the London Coliseum to raise funds for people in need … [Read more...] about Natalia Osipova and international ballet stars dance for Ukraine
Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
It’s full steam ahead for The Royal Ballet’s Anna Rose O’Sullivan. Last year she was promoted to the rank of principal dancer with the company, in January of this year she made her debut as the Sugar … [Read more...] about Anna Rose O’Sullivan – meeting the Royal Ballet’s newest star
[Interview] Tears of a Ballet Mum – Sabine Naghdi on her ballerina daughter, Yasmine
Tears of a Ballet Mum is a new memoir by Sabine Naghdi, mother of The Royal Ballet’s principal ballerina Yasmine Naghdi. Ballet mum? Sabine, I’m shuddering just thinking about it! One … [Read more...] about [Interview] Tears of a Ballet Mum – Sabine Naghdi on her ballerina daughter, Yasmine
Christmas stocking ideas from The Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School has developed an impressive retail offering, both online and in its pop-up shop at the school in Covent Garden. The range includes clothing, equipment for dancers, and … [Read more...] about Christmas stocking ideas from The Royal Ballet School
Avoiding scandal – Liam Scarlett and The Royal Ballet
It is telling that in a recent press release from The Royal Opera House, the names of the choreographers of the cinema streaming programme are listed, except for one – that of Liam … [Read more...] about Avoiding scandal – Liam Scarlett and The Royal Ballet