At our August meeting, soon after the companies returned to work after their summer break, it was a great pleasure to welcome the Royal Ballet’s Scottish PrincipalReece Clarkeas our guest. Reece started bytalking about his summer, when he had taken the longest break off ever. Soon afterAlice, he had flown to New York to performSylviawith Christine Shevchenko and Chloe Misseldine. Reece then spoke about some of the roles he had performed last season, often partnering Natalia Osipova or Marianela Nuñez, as he did in bothCinderellaandOnegin.All the principals bring not only a different energy on stage but also in the studio which then affects how he interprets his roles. Another highlight of the season had been the Balanchine programme where he performedSymphony in CandSerenade,in which he partnered Annette Buvoli, who had been his pas de deux partner in the first year of the Upper School. InRomeo and Juliet, his Juliet had been Anna Rose O’Sullivan, their firsttime together since becoming principals. During the previous season, Reece had performed Woyzeck inDifferent Drummer, one of the hardest challenges of his career, but with a wonderful cast and coaching by Alessandra Ferri and Wayne Eagling, both unique indifferent ways. Another recent highlight had been working with Russell Maliphant on a modern interpretation ofL'apres midi d'un Faun. Whilst his heart is really with the classics, Reece has enjoyed working with a variety of choreographers. Reece then talked about his training, travelling to London as a Junior Associate and entering the Royal Ballet School after his three older brothers. He commented on the planned changes to the Lower School; with the greater opportunities it might give to students around the country. Reece gave us a fascinating first meeting of the new season.
News
We send our congratulations to Soloist Sophie Allnattand her husband on the birth of their daughter Matilda May Snegur on 09.08.25.
The Fonteyn Ballet Competition, formerly The Genée, is taking place in Säo Paolo, Brazil, this year from 11th-19thOctober, with the semi-finals on 16th-17thand the Final on 19th, with Royal Ballet Brazilian PrincipalMayara Magrias one of the judges, as well as choreographer of one of the pieces being performed.
Royal Ballet First SoloistValentino Zucchettiis currently choreographing a newNutcrackerfor New English Ballet Theatre, which will be performed in various venues from October, concluding with performances in the Bahamas on 12-13 December and at the Sainsbury Theatre at LAMDA in Hammersmith on 18-20 December.
Vanessa Fenton Masterclasses
Sunday 14thSeptember 10.30-13.00 Entrance of The Swans coached by Vanessa Fenton
A small group of members are invited to watch former Royal Ballet dancer Vanessa Fenton coach the Entrance of the Swans, Act IISwan Lake, after teaching class.
Tickets for this event are £25.
Sunday 12th October 10.30-14.00
Le Corsaire pas de deux coached by Royal Ballet Principals Sarah Lamb and Ryoichi Hirano
A small group of members are invited to watch Royal Ballet Principals Sarah Lamb and Ryoichi Hirano coach teenage and adult ballet students in the Pas de Deux fromLe Corsaire.The event is arranged by former Royal Ballet dancer Vanessa Fenton, who will teach class at the start of the event.
Ballet at Minterne 13 & 14 September 2025
Dancers of The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and English National Ballet will be performing at Minterne House, Dorchester, DT2 7AU on
Saturday 13 Sept 4.30pm (Gardens open 2.15pm) Sunday 14 Sept 4pm (Gardens open at 2pm) Tickets: £60-£200. Box office: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk 01305 266926
All proceeds will support The Royal Ballet and other performing arts charities.
Royal Ballet: Mayara Magri, Anna Rose O’Sullivan, Akane Takada, Matthew Ball, Ryoichi Hirano, CalvinRichardson, Meaghan Grace Hinkis, Mariko Sasaki, Luca Acri, Lukas Brændsrød, Leo Dixon, Daichi Ikarashi, Francisco Serrano and Ella Newton-Severgnini.
Birmingham Royal Ballet: Beatrice Parma and Max Maslen
English National Ballet: Precious Adams and Eric Snyder
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