Since our last newsletter we have had one meeting in March with First SoloistLeo Dixonand SoloistGiacomo Rovero,who had both had their debuts as Lensky a few weeks earlier partnering Anna RoseO’Sullivan and Viola Pantuso respectively.They spoke at some length about working with Reid Anderson, who gave very detailed coaching. The day after his debut Giacomo led a group of Royal Ballet dancers in a Gala at the Teatro Municipale in his hometown of Piacenza in Italy. The gala was organised by former First Soloist Hikaru Kobayashi. Leo and Giacomo then spoke about their other roles this season, including those they were currently rehearsing; Benvolio inRomeo and Juliet,CrystalPite’sLight of Passageand the Balanchine and Wheeldon programmes. They spoke about the role of Adam, that they had both performed inMaddaddamearlier in the season, and how casts had been rehearsed separately which resulted in distinct differences in their interpretations. After that they talked about their training. Leo was grateful for our President Desmond Kelly’s support at Elmhurst where he was for five years before transferring to the Royal Ballet Upper School, where his first teacher had been Meelis Pakri. Giacomo had trained in Italy and then at Hamburg Ballet School, before coming to London. In response to a question from the audience, Leo spoke about his role as Tadzio in the RoyalOpera’s production ofDeath in Venice.Leo and Giacomo gave us an entertaining evening, speaking about careers which had often resulted in them dancing the same roles.
Annual Visit to the Royal Ballet Upper School Wednesday 30th April 09.00- 15.45
Our annual visit to the Royal Ballet Upper School in Floral Street to watch classes and rehearsals will be onWednesday 30thApril. The cost of the visit will be £15 for members and £20 for guests. The first class will start at 09.15, with doors opening at 09.00.(Please note that this is half an hour earlier than originally published)If a 09.15 start is too early for you, it will be possible to join us at mid-morning break or lunchtime. Detailed timings will be provided nearer the date to those who have applied.
Friday 9 May 2025 - BRB2 Carlos Acosta’s BALLET CELEBRATION, Sadler’s Wells East
We still have seats available for the 2.30 performance.The seats are reduced by 20% so £45 seats reduced to £36 and £38 reduced to £30.40. There is no circle atSadler’s Wells East and the seats are inrows F, G and H.
The programme isLes Sylphides, Scheherazade (Pas de deux), Les Biches (Hostess solo and pas de deux forLa Garçonne and Athlete),La Spectre de la Rose, Firebird (pas de deux).
Sadler’s Wells East is in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park located next to the London Aquatics Centre. Itis a 10/15 minute walk from Stratford or Stratford International stations.
Please email, text or phone Ann Maclennan on 0785 569 3343annmaclennan@btopenworld.comspecifying your preference/no preference and whether you will pay by bank transfer or cheque. Ann will then confirm availability.
Ballet Association Annual Dinner, Tuesday 10th June 7.00-10.45pm, The Chesterfield Hotel, Mayfair.
As announced in our last newsletter, our Annual Dinner will be held at The Chesterfield, Mayfair, on Tuesday 10thJune.The hotel is in Charles Street, about 5 minutes’ walk from Green Park Station and closeto Berkeley Square. Dinner, at 8.00pm, will be held in the hotel’s Restaurant and Conservatory. It will bepreceded by a drinks’ reception from 7.00pm in the Royal Suite on the first floor, which can be accessed bylift or stairs.
The cost of the dinner will be £88.00, not including drinks which can be purchased at bars in the Royal Suite and the Restaurant. There is an additional supplement of £5 if you choose Halibut as your main course. If you wish to have tea or coffee and petit fours to round off the meal, it is an extra £7.00. We have a minimum spend for the evening, so please make sure you purchase all drinks at our bars and not at the other hotel bar.
The Dining Room and Conservatory seat a maximum of 140, mostly on round tables seating 10 each, so there will be around 110 places for members and 30 for dancers, etc. The Dinner is always one of thehighlights of the Association’s year and we hope as many of you as possible will attend. As always, wewill not be announcing the guest list until about 10 days or so before the event. You will then have an opportunity to let us know who you would like to have on your table. Please note, as we must pay the hotel well in advance, payment is non-refundable unless we can fill your place. We will do our best to do so.
News
It was with great sadness that we heard thatDavid Morse, former Principal Character Artist and Video Archivist with BRB, died peacefully at home on 28th January after a long illness. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, our President Marion Tait, former Principal and Assistant Director of SWRB/BRB. David's funeral took place at Lodge Hill Crematorium, Selly Oak, Birmingham on Wednesday 5th March.
The Royal Ballet and Factory International will present the world premiere of former Royal Ballet DancerJonathan Watkins’A Single Manbased on Christopher Isherwood’s novel at the Manchester International Festival from 2nd-6thJuly at the Alva Studios, with former PrincipalEdward Watsonperforming the title role with singer/songwriter John Grant.
Melissa Hamilton's Ballet Stars Gala will be performed in Dublin at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre on 17th and 18th of September.
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