Nutcracker

Act IClara’s bedroomIt is Christmas Eve; Clara’s family is having a party and everyone is invited. All the family is excited, especially Clara and Freddie who are looking forward to seeing their friends and St Nicholas. Clara is particularly excited about seeing her best friend Charlotte whilst her mother and big sister Louise look on fondly. Outside people skate on the frozen Thames.

The PartyDr Drosselmeyer, a rather mysterious old family friend, arrives. With him is his nephew, fresh from Military School. The guests arrive, presents are starting to gather under the Christmas tree and the children’s excitement builds. Dr Drosselmeyer introduces a puppet theatre, in which puppets perform to the delight of the guests. Louise and her three admirers are inspired to dance by the puppets’ performance. Dr Drosselmeyer presents Clara with her Christmas present – a Nutcracker doll. Clara is thrilled and begins to dance with her new much-loved gift. Freddie grabs the doll so enthusiastically from Clara that he manages to break it. In despair, Clara turns to Dr Drosselmeyer for help. He, as if by magic, manages to put the doll back together again. Clara is delighted and forgives her brother. The guests depart, the children go up to bed and the house becomes eerily quiet.

The BattleClara has a nightmare in which her Nutcracker is attacked by the evil Mouse King. The clock strikes midnight. Giant rats and mice led by the Mouse King appear as the living room undergoes a transformation. The Nutcracker

becomes a dashing soldier and a battle between the two sides ensues. The Mouse King and his army are victorious and the Nutcracker is injured. Everything melts away to leave Clara and the Nutcracker alone as snow starts to fall.

The Land of SnowThe living room is magically turned into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling snowflakes. Clara dances with the Nutcracker who seems to transform into Drosselmeyer’s nephew. The Mouse King pursues Clara through the snow. Clara, the nephew and Dr Drosselmeyer escape in a balloon, flying across the glistening, frosty landscape with the Mouse King clinging onto the side.

Interval

Act IIThe Puppet TheatreThe balloon lands beside the puppet theatre. Dancers from all over the world representing China, Arabia, Russia and Spain come to life and leap out of the theatre. The Mouse King is finally vanquished by the heroic nephew and a magnificent celebration begins. The dancers perform divertissements. The puppet theatre disappears to reveal a beautiful garden, amongst which dancers perform the Waltz of the Flowers. Finally, Clara dances a glorious pas de deux as the Sugar Plum Fairy with the nephew as the Prince. They are joined by all the characters from around the world.

Suddenly Clara wakes up with a jolt back in her bedroom. Freddie and Clara run outside into the snow to wave a final goodbye to Dr Drosselmeyer and his nephew.

The story of the ballet

Clara and Freddie

Skaters on the ice

PatronHRH The Duke of York, KGPresident Dame Beryl Grey DBEArtistic DirectorTamara Rojo Executive DirectorCaroline ThomsonMusic DirectorGavin Sutherland

Nutcracker

Choreography Wayne EaglingBased on a concept by Toer van Schayk and Wayne EaglingMusic Pyotr Ilyich TchaikovskyDesign Peter FarmerLighting David Richardson

11 December 2014 – 4 January 2015

Front cover: The Snowflakes. Photo: Caroline Holden

Inside front cover: Elena Glurdjidze as Clara escapes from the mice. Photo: Annabel Moeller

Opposite: Tamara Rojo as Clara. Photography by ASH

English National Ballet is a registered charity: 214005

London Coliseum

The Mouse King

A word from Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director

Welcome to the London Coliseum and English National Ballet’s traditional Christmas production of Nutcracker.

This is one of the great pillars of the classical ballet repertoire. It tells the story of Clara enjoying her parents’ Christmas party with family and friends when the arrival of Dr Drosselmeyer and his gift of the Nutcracker Doll changes everything! Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, Wayne Eagling’s exuberant choreography and Peter Farmer’s beautiful designs deliver a Christmas story full of magic and wonder which continues to thrill audiences of all ages.

During these performances I would like to welcome the following international guest artists, Mathias Dingman from Birmingham Royal Ballet, Casey Herd from Dutch National Ballet and a welcome back to Vitor Luiz from San Francisco Ballet.

I know that for many here today this will be their first encounter with ballet and I hope that it will be the start of an enriching journey and a lasting friendship. After Nutcracker closes we will still be at the London Coliseum performing Swan Lake, for many the quintessential classical ballet, and I hope that we can tempt you back to join us then.

As Artistic Director of English National Ballet I want to keep the classics alive, relevant, and preserve our heritage for future generations. I also want to make sure that we invest in the classics of tomorrow by introducing brave news works. You will find us at Sadler’s Wells in 2015 with two exciting programmes of contemporary ballet. Details of the rest of next year’s season are found at the back of this programme or you can keep in touch via our website www.ballet.org.uk.

I would like to thank Arts Council England, Westminster City Council, our loyal sponsors and supporters as well as, of course, all of you in the audience for your support.

The Battle

Nutcracker has been at the heart of English National Ballet’s repertoire since the Company was established in August 1950. Indeed Act II, designed by George Kirsta, was included in its inaugural performance. This second act ‘divertissement of sweets’ had already become popular in Britain but it was the full production by London Festival Ballet (as English National Ballet was originally called) in Europe and George Balanchine’s production for New York City Ballet in the USA which put the complete Nutcracker securely on the international map in the 1950s.

Wayne Eagling’s Nutcracker is the Company’s 10th production and with each eminent designers have placed the action in different societies from 19th century Germany and Tchaikovsky’s Russia to 1990s nouveau riche Britain. Visually, productions have ranged from Christmas card glitter to contemporary caricatures and, with the ballets three distinct locations, as well as transformation scenes, there is considerable opportunity for fresh interpretation.

The most renowned production of Nutcracker was choreographed by David Lichine in 1957 designed by Russian artist, Alexandre Benois. The young Benois had been disappointed by the first staging in St Petersburg in 1892. He thought the party scene set in “the salon of some rich parvenu banker… was stupid, coarse, heavy and dark [revealing an] absolute lack of taste.” He subsequently designed a whole line of Nutcrackers bringing a sense of magic to the original approach while retaining some of the traditional elements such as the white snowballs on the tutus and head-dresses of the snowflakes. For London Festival Ballet he created an ingenious setting for the Royal Festival Hall’s challenging stage, in which the scenic elements rotated. Benois’s designs had to be reworked by Norman McDowell (assisted by Philip Prowse and Peter Docherty) to enable the production to tour in Jack Carter’s popular 1965 staging.

A complete change came with Peter Docherty’s own set for Ronald Hynd’s

The changing face of English National Ballet’s Nutcrackers

Top left: The Party scene from Christopher Hampson’s 2002 production

Opposite left: Peter Farmer’s design of the Nutcracker doll

Top right: The Land of Snow from Christopher Hampson’s 2002 production

Below right: Peter Farmer’s set designs of the interior and exterior of the house

recreated his designs, originally created for Houston Ballet. This extremely pretty production returned the ballet to its original synopsis with a lightness of touch evidenced by the “flying cooks” in the Kingdom of the Sweets.

Five years later, in 1997, Derek Deane updated the ballet with striking designs by Sue Blane in which the dancers dressed in chic black outfits for the party set in an all-white Belgravia home and the sweets of Act II were immediately recognisable as Smarties and Liquorice Allsorts.

In 2002, Christopher Hampson’s unconventionally modern reworking of Nutcracker was designed by cartoonist Gerald Scarfe. The set included a viewing platform from boxes of chocolates looking to ice-cream mountains and the snowflakes and jack frosts jumped out of a freezer. Danced for eight years, this production featured Clara on the wings of Drosselmeyer’s paper bird passing through the clouds in the opening of Act II.

This current production was premiered in 2010. Peter Farmer’s designs conjure up the magic of a traditional snowy Christmas while simultaneously showing a darker vision of Nutcracker. The threatening presence of the Mouse King is felt right through the ballet, until finally good triumphs over evil.

1976 production which was based around the grandfather clock. This dominated the room in Act I and then opened up into the oriental set for the Kingdom of Sweets leaving the clock face as a window through which Clara and Drosselmeyer could watch the action.

David Walker’s charming designs for Peter Schaufuss in 1986 placed the action in Imperial Russia with the party set at the home of Tchaikovsky’s beloved sister, Sasha, and the composer appearing as the Drosselmeyer figure.

1992 saw a more traditional approach when Desmond Heeley adapted and

The Snowflakes

Facts and Figues

Some fascinating statistics from the Wardrobe Department

• Each Sugar Plum Fairy top skirt takes one day to make – there are nine Sugar Plum tutus made for the dancers taking the Principal role. The top skirt is just the final layer of the tutu, under which there are about 16 layers of net

• Over 3,000 metres of fabric were used for the costumes for Nutcracker

• Before every piece of fabric is used in a costume it has to be washed so that it will not shrink once the costumes are made. In one year the washing machine in the Wardrobe does 1,440 washes

• Each Flower man’s shirt takes 16 hours to make and each waistcoat takes 34 hours to make. There are 20 of these costumes in the entire production

• Each Sugar Plum Fairy costume requires over £2,000 worth of man hours and fabric. This does not include the cost of the Swarovski elements which were generously donated

• The value of the Swarovski elements used on the costumes is approximately £10,000 in total

• There are 400 Swarovski elements sewn onto each of the nine Sugar Plum Fairy costumes

• 400 costumes were made in total for the production. In addition, jewellery, shoes, tights and wigs were especially made for Nutcracker

• Each dancer has a minimum of two fittings per costume to ensure they are tailored correctly to their needs. That’s at least 800 fittings – each taking between 20 and 30 minutes

• The fabrics are from all over the world including German faux fur, American stretch faux fur, German lycra, brocade from India and France and English moleskin and braid for the soldiers

• There were 24 people working on the costumes; three wig makers; one head dressmaker; one milliner; two dyers/distressers (who make the new fabric look worn-in, for example the mice and rats cannot look pristine)

• The first costumes were made in April and May 2010 for photoshoots to promote the production

Erina Takahashi as the Sugar Plum Fairy

Tamara Rojo‘’As there is no tradition of Nutcracker in Spain, I didn’t get to see it until I arrived at Scottish Ballet as a guest artist. I was already 19 and suddenly had to dance it two weeks later! Sitting in the audience, I was surprised to see families bringing their children and grandchildren and I realised it was, for many, a tradition that was passed from generation to generation and also the first contact with the wonderful world of ballet. As a performer, I have always remembered this and tried to bring to Nutcracker all the magic of Christmas.”

Alina Cojocaru‘’I first danced Clara/Sugar Plum Fairy with Kiev Ballet Company when I was 18 even before I had the chance to experience the magic of Nutcracker on stage! I always enjoyed being Clara who ends up becoming a Princess and dancing the grand pas de deux with her Prince. I am very excited to now discover the magic of Wayne’s Nutcracker and also to have the opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon! I believe Nutcracker brings joy and encourages us to believe in dreams and magic.’’

Elena Glurdjidze‘’Whilst a pupil at the Vaganova Academy, St Petersburg each New Year all of us appeared on stage at the famous Mariinsky Theatre in Nutcracker. It was something we were encouraged to appear in each year and throughout my training I performed in so many different roles on that stage. It was truly wonderful dancing on such a huge stage where so many legendary ballerinas had danced. Since then I have appeared as Clara in many productions. When the clock strikes midnight and the magic begins it brings back so many memories. These performances mark my farewell to the Company where I have had great pleasure performing in all the leading roles since joining in 2002.’’

Fernanda Oliveira“My first experience with Nutcracker was when I moved to the U.K. as a student at

the Royal Ballet School. I had never seen this ballet before whilst in Brazil and for me it made it more magical and special with the Christmas atmosphere in London. The first time I danced the role of Clara/Sugar Plum was in Derek Deane’s Production. I think I enjoyed the role of Clara because she is telling the story throughout and her imagination takes her as far as becoming the Sugar Plum Fairy at the end.’’

Erina Takahashi‘’I will never forget the day I stood on stage as the Sugar Plum Fairy, every girls dream and it made it even bigger as it was the first principal role I had ever danced. But the memory started long before that, I was lucky enough to perform the Sugar Plum Fairy solo in Japan before coming to England, but the first time I danced the whole ballet with English National Ballet is a memory I will never forget. From curtain-up until the bows at the end. I remember every minute. It was my dream come true and I never thought I would ever get the chance to do it on such an amazing stage alongside such amazing dancers! I have danced Clara /Sugar Plum in so many performances over the years, sometimes changing Princes daily but every show is filled with excitement. For me Nutcracker is Christmas and Christmas wouldn’t be the same without it.’’

Tales from the Sugar Plum Fairies

Begoña Cao and Esteban Berlanga

Begoña Cao“I first appeared in Nutcracker with English National Ballet whilst I was still at school in a version by Ben Stevenson. I appeared in both the party scene and in Act II – the whole experience I felt as such a young child was simply awe inspiring. Since joining the Company I have now appeared in three other versions, firstly Derek Deane’s, then Christopher Hampson’s and currently Wayne Eagling’s, each of them having a magic of their own. Christmas would never be the same for me without Nutcracker and whilst we are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of such busy lifes when Nutcracker returns each time it brings a calming and peaceful existence to the festive season. Dancing the grand pas de deux at the end, is thrilling and the response at the curtain call is something to cherish forever.’’

Laurretta Summerscales“I performed my very first Clara/Sugar Plum last year and it was simply amazing! The music is so powerful that you get swept up in the story. I have only danced Clara three times so the role is very new to me, I really try to think about the character and pass the magic of this ballet across, especially to the little girls as I remember what it was like for me to be inspired to dance. I love the Battle and snow scenes. It is so busy and very exciting, full of life and energy! The Mouse King is one of my favourite characters, and the grand pas de deux has the most satisfying feeling for me as

my dream was always to be the ballerina. I just hope I have given other people magic and dreams as someone gave these to me.’’

Shiori Kase‘’My first Nutcracker was when I was in Japan at my old ballet school. I got to dance Clara at the end of the year performance. I now find myself appearing as Clara/Sugar Plum in Wayne Eagling’s version and this marks my fourth year performing this role. Each time I appear in this part it feels like a different experience which makes it so exciting and refreshing. I especially love the snow scene at and of course the grand pas de deux in Act II. I find the snow scene very emotional and the music during the grand pas catches me completely! I am extremely excited to be performing this wonderful role once again.’’

Ksenia Ovsyanick ‘’This is going to be my first Clara in Nutcracker. I have danced this ballet many times dancing all the other parts, but I can’t begin to describe how excited I am to finally be Clara on this fairy tale journey and dancing to this magnificent music in the grand pas de deux. It is a wonderful festive ballet bringing lots of joy and magic to the audience and I’m really looking forward to bringing this across to them from the stage.’’

Katja Khaniukova‘’I first danced Clara when I was just 18 when I joined the National Opera of Ukraine – this was my first ever principal role – I still remember how excited I was! I have also danced Clara with the Ochi International Ballet in Nagoya, Japan. Nutcracker was also my final performance in Kiev earlier this year; it was unforgettable for many reasons because of all the historical changes challenging my country and what its people were fighting for. I never imagined I would someday move to London and be part of such an incredible Company and appear as Clara - all made possible by Tamara Rojo. This production of Nutcracker is absolutely stunning and so magical – I am living my fairy tale dream. I believe that good people always win in the end, this Christmas is a dream come true and I wish the same for you all.”Shiori Kase and

Yonah Acosta

Alison McWhinney as a Snowflake

Erina Takahashi as Clara

Swan Lake, Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, was not an initial success at its Moscow premiere in 1877. In fact it was so badly received at its opening that Tchaikovsky turned his back on ballet music for 13 years. But in 1890 he returned to dance and the outcome was Nutcracker in 1892. He had read Hoffmann’s original story and thought it was “an excellent tale”, and began composing the score for the ballet despite worries about the simplicity of the story and continuity between the acts.

In April 1891, Tchaikovsky was to fulfil a long-standing wish to go on a conducting tour of the United States. The first stage of the journey took him to Paris where his work on Nutcracker continued. He seems to have been strongly influenced by the charms of the city. In place of the majestic romanticism of Swan Lake he fell back on finely detailed work and a ballet of charm and daintiness began to emerge. In Paris, he became acquainted with a new instrument, the celesta, which produces a sound of ringing glass bells. Having also found a human emotional motivation for the character of the Sugar Plum Fairy in his much loved sister, Alexandra, the music began to fall into place. The celesta was introduced as the fairy’s instrument.

Tchaikovsky continued to work closely with Petipa and Ivanov (the ballet’s original choreographers) in the production preparations, gradually losing his initial reservations about the setting. Nutcracker debuted on 17 December 1892 at the Mariinsky Theatre. Though the public embraced Nutcracker at its premiere in 1892, critical opinion was not kind. Some reactionary pundits considered Tchaikovsky to be a great composer who was unaccountably demeaning himself by stooping to write something so insignificant as ballet

Tchaikovsky and Nutcracker

Caption

Opposite: Alina Cojocaru as Clara and Junor Souza as the Nutcracker

Above: Elena Glurdjidze as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Arionel Vargas as the Prince

music, while many of the ballet cognoscenti thought his music far too symphonic and branded it undanceable.

One critic’s comment was that “the music is a long way from what is necessary for ballet.” Whatever the views of his contemporaries however, audiences worldwide and that Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker remains one of the best-loved and most popular ballets ever created.

Per forming Akram Khan’s Dust at Glastonbur y Fest ival Image © Patrick Balls

243,190 tickets sold in 2013/14

63schools engaged with our work across the UK, where we delivered 100 workshops

11,387

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My First Ballet: Coppélia

We performed for over

30,000 people on the Pyramid Stage at

Glastonbury Festival and

43,000watched us on BBC iPlayer

We love taking ballet to as many people as we can, sharing our passion in as many ways as we can think of.

Our artists dance an average of

2,032hours a year (or 39h a week)

4,992

pointe shoes used last year

In 2013, we travelled over

3,900 mi les around the UK

191 performances and events

put on in last season

650,000 visits to our website last season

65 dancers from 26 countries

Reaching over 38,000 people per year, English National Ballet offers opportunities to participate, experience and be inspired by ballet through our nationwide engagement and learning programme.

An eventful 2014…It’s been a busy and exciting year for the Engagement department. As well as a full programme of schools workshops and theatre events, Dance for Health and Dance for Parkinson’s classes, we have been delighted to work with a variety of partners to deliver high quality performance projects. In February, to accompany the tour of Le Corsaire, we presented George Williamson’s choreography inspired by the production in the magnificent Manchester Town Hall building.

With funding from John Lyon’s Charity, we had rehearsals for Dance Journeys at Hammersmith Academy and Capital City Academy. The project culminated in a stunning and incredibly moving performance at the Barbican Theatre during the run of Lest We Forget in April.

The west London highlight of Big Dance 2014 was a special commission for choreographer Cameron McMillan. He worked with ENBYouthCo dancers to create a site-specific piece for performance at Westfield London in July. Also over the Summer we were delighted to work with students from Knole Academy. Choreographer Hubert Essakow created a piece for a performance at the school in Sevenoaks, inspired by Romeo & Juliet.

In September we were delighted to continue our collaboration with Music@Malling, focused this year on HK Gruber’s Frankenstein performed by Chamber Domaine. English National Ballet First Soloist, Fabian Reimair, choreographed a solo for Artist of the Company Daniele Silingardi, to perform alongside local school children for the festival’s schools’ concerts in West Malling and Ashford, Kent.

Engagement and Creative Learning

This October the Engagement team began working with Arts 4 Dementia, a charity who works in partnership with arts organisations to develop workshops that re-energise and inspire people living with dementia in the community. Weekly dance sessions, held at English National Ballet’s studios in Kensington, connected participants to Company repertoire and provide a creative outlet for artistic engagement with dance and music. The term focused on English National Ballet’s Nutcracker exploring themes and characters from the ballet to live musical accompaniment and concluded with a theatre visit for all participants and their carers to the London Coliseum to see the production.

Looking forward, 2015 is set to be another eventful year filled with exciting new partnerships, events and projects including the continuation of our highly successful creative learning project with young people, Dance Journeys. For more information on all the work the Engagement team have coming up, or have done, please visit the website ballet.org.uk/learning.

Dance Journeys in rehearsal

Emerging Dancer and People’s Choice Award 2015

2014 joint winners Alison McWhinney and Junor Souza

Generously supported by Talbot Hughes McKillop, the restructuring experts

Emerging Dancer Award 23 March 2015, Southbank Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hall

Emerging Dancer Award, now in its sixth year, is an annual competition for English National Ballet to recognise and nurture talent, and encourage excellence and potential within the Company.

The 2015 Emerging Dancer nominees will be announced early 2015. The winner will be decided by a panel of judges at the awards ceremony on Monday 23 March 2015 at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall and will be open to the public. For further details and to book tickets, please visit www.ballet.org.uk/emergingdancer or telephone Southbank Centre 0844 412 4322.

People’s Choice Award – Play your part – your vote counts!

You decide who will be the 2015 People’s Choice Award winner – all English National Ballet dancers, excluding Lead Principals and Principals are eligible. Simply select your favourite dancer by ticking the box found on the back of the cast sheet or alternatively online. Each vote is entered into a prize draw for the opportunity to win tickets to the final.

Voting closes 6 February 2015.

Matt Hinds, Managing PartnerTalbot Hughes McKillop“We are proud to support this fantastic competition which gives dancers a platform to shine and which is now firmly established as an annual fixture in the calendar of our firm and its clients. It was wonderful once again to celebrate and enjoy the talent of all nominees and, in particular, the brilliant joint winners of the 2014 competition; Alison McWhinney and Junor Souza.”

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James Forbat and Ksenia Ovsyanick in Petite Mort

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Modern MastersIcons of 20th Century Choreography

10 – 15 March 2015

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Tamara Rojo as Clara

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English National Ballet

Dancers

Lead PrincipalsAlina CojocaruElena GlurdjidzeDmitri GruzdyevFernanda OliveiraErina Takahashi

Guest ArtistsMathias DingmanCasey HerdVitor Luiz

PrincipalsYonah AcostaBegoña CaoArionel VargasAlejandro Virelles

Character ArtistsMichael Coleman*Jane Haworth

First SoloistsCrystal CostaJames ForbatShiori KaseAdela RamírezFabian ReimairJunor SouzaLaurretta Summerscales

SoloistsDésirée BallantyneFernando BufaláKsenia Ovsyanick

Junior SoloistsKei AkahoshiKatja KhaniukovaSenri KouDaniel KrausLaurent LiotardoAnton LukovkinJuan RodríguezJames StreeterMax Westwell

First ArtistsMadison KeeslerAlison McWhinneyVan Le NgocMakoto NakamuraKen SaruhashiTamarin Stott

Artists of the CompanyPrecious AdamsFrancisco BoschIsabelle BrouwersYoko CallegariJung ah ChoiJessica ClydeCesar CorralesBarry DrummondShevelle DynottPaloma Gavalda RuzJennie HarringtonTiffany HedmanAnjuli HudsonAmber HuntJeanette KakarekaSarah KundiPedro LapetraJoshua McSherry-GrayAdriana LizardiSimona MarsibilioGuilherme MenezesVitor MenezesMerritt MooreStina QuagebeurGrant RaeMaria José SalesMaria Sascha KhanDaniele SilingardiAngela WoodNathan YoungSeo-Yeon YuJoan Sebastian ZamoraJia ZhangJinhao Zhang

Actors Lesley DringLynda GreenRichard Luck-HilleAndrew MarchantAlex McLeod

Students appearing from English National Ballet School Jordan BautistaDiogo Barbosa Naomi BottomerGeorgia BouldMichelle ChavianoMaksim De BaetsEmanuele Del Celo Miquel Duran TorrentsConal Francis-MartinMario GaglioneGabriella GhiaroniJoshua Legge Olivia LindonKaylee MarkoJohnathan MiltonTimothee MochampsStefano Nappo George Nightingale Daniela NormanMarco Palamone Archie SullivanYuto Tanaka Marcio Teixiera SilvaEmiel VandenburgheSeamus Wilkinson

Children appearingfrom Tring Park Schoolfor the Performing ArtsChildren rehearsed byDavid Rhys and appearby kind permission ofRachel Rist, Director ofDance at Tring ParkSchool for thePerforming Arts.www.tringpark.com orcall 01442 824 255

Clara Sereina MowlemLouise RigbyMizuki Kawamura(Understudy)Poppy Wager-Leigh(Understudy)

Freddie Basil JamesWilliam DarbyMatthew Cotton(Understudy)Jacob Edwards(Understudy)

Party GirlsPhoebe Affleck Caley-Maria Cavan Holly Duckham Lillie-Annabelle Eames Megan GilesEvie Jackson Mizuki Kawamura Holly Lavery Verity MarlowSophie McGowanHolly Pearce Charlotte Rostron Poppy Shaw Grace TaylorMolly ThomasPoppy Wager-Leigh

Party BoysOssie CrickMatthew Cotton Jacob EdwardsDaniel Hole Noah SpiersJames Stobie James Thompson Spencer Vale

Violin IMatthew Scrivener(Leader)Rachel AllenEmil ChakalovAnne MartinRuth KnellLinda McClarenFiona ChestermanCarl BeddowAnya BirchillHelena BuckieEdward Brenton Sioni Williams

Violin II Alain Petitclerc †

Susan CrootCaroline BarnesCatherine SmartStephen DinwoodieKarin NewcombeDamon FlanaganGill RipleyJoanne ChenHenry Salmon

ViolaAlex Koustas †

David DanfordLinda KidwellLiz SharpeEmily FrithRichard CooksonSheila HoldsworthPhil D’Arcy

CelloGary Stevens †

Anne LinesNaomi ElliottRosemary EdwardsLars PayneErica SimpsonEmma VidgeonClaire Constable

Double Bass Jeremy Gordon †

Dominic BlackCath RickettsChristina CooperMartin HendersonRichard Driver

Flute Christopher Green †

Emilia Zakrzewska

Piccolo Helen Keen

OboeGareth Hulse †

Katie Bennington

Cor AnglaisLauren Weavers

Clarinet Derek Hannigan †

Natalie Harris

Bass Clarinet Paul Allen

BassoonJohn McDougall †

Howard Legge

French HornMark Johnson †

Alexandra CarrRichard DilleyAndrew PatersonDuncan Fuller

Trumpet Andrew Mitchell †

Patricia Reid

Trombone Michael Crowther †

Emma Bassett

Bass TromboneLes Storey †

TubaMartin Knowles †

HarpIsabel Frayling-Cork †

Janice Bevan

Tympani Kate Eyre †

Percussion Kevin Nutty †

Austin BeattiePolly Chimes

Celeste Chris Swithinbank Julia Richter

*Guest Artists †Section Principal

English National Ballet Philharmonic

Artistic Director

Tamara Rojo

Tamara Rojo was appointed Artistic Director of English National Ballet in 2012. She combines this role with her dancing career, performing as Lead Principal with the Company.

Trained in Madrid at the Victor Ullate School. Galina Samsova asked her to join Scottish Ballet where she danced many principal roles.

She won a Gold Medal at the Paris International Dance Competition and a Special Jury Award unanimously given by a judging panel led by Natalia Makarova, Vladimir Vassiliev and Galina Samsova. Whilst at Scottish Ballet she danced the principal roles in Swan Lake, Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet and Bournonville´s La Sylphide.

Upon joining English National Ballet within six months was promoted to Principal. She danced the full range of the Company’s principal roles. Derek Deane created the roles of Juliet (Romeo & Juliet) and Clara (The Nutcracker) for her. Her performances as Clara broke all box office records at the London Coliseum and The Times named her “Dance Revelation of the Year.” She collaborated once again with Derek Deane for the creation of Strictly Gershwin at the Royal Albert Hall in 2008 and 2011 with English National Ballet. Tamara joined The Royal Ballet as a Principal at the invitation of Sir Anthony Dowell shortly after her highly acclaimed Guest Artist debut with the Company in Sir Peter Wright’s Giselle. During her 12 years she danced all the classics as well as works by MacMillan, Mats Ek, Forysthe, Kylián and Ashton.

Tamara has been repeatedly recognised for her artistic excellence. She won the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production with Goldberg: the Brandstrup-Rojo Project.

King Juan Carlos has decorated Tamara with Spain’s three highest Honours, The Prince of Asturias Award, the Gold Medal of Fine Arts and Encomienda de Número de Isabel la Católica.

She has also received the Benois de la Danse Award, The Times Dance Revelation of the Year, Critics’ Circle National Dance Award, Barclay’s Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award, Positano Dance Award, Leonide Massine Premio al Valore, the Italian Critic’s Award, and from the City of Madrid, both the International Medal of the Arts and the Interpretation Award.

She is on the Board of Arts Council East, Dance UK, the Anglo-Spanish Society, a Patron of the Ipswich-based DanceEast Academy and Adviser to Spain’s Superior Counsel of Artistic Studies.

Simon Thew Guest Conductor

BirthplaceSydney, Australia Training Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Master of Performance (Conducting). Private study in Vienna, as guest of members of the Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin, and Barcelona. Teachers/mentors included Richard Bonynge AC, CBE, Commandeur de l’Ordre National des Arts et des Lettres; Nicolette Fraillon; Sebastian Weigle; and Harry Spence LythOther companiesThe Australian Ballet, Guest Assistant Conductor, including La Bayadère; Suite en blanc; Ballet Imperial; Manon and Telstra Ballet in the Bowl (2014); Ratmansky’s Cinderella; Paquita and La Sylphide (2013). Guest Conductor with Opera Australia’s Oz Opera touring La traviata (2010); Opera Australia, Assistant Conductor La bohème (2008) and A Streetcar Named Desire (2007) English National Ballet This is his debut with the CompanyOther infoSimon holds the following accolades – Churchill Fellowship (2011), awarded by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, The Australian Ballet Conducting Fellow (2011) and the Hephzibah Tintner Fellowship (2010). In 2007 he was the first and only conductor to receive the Dame Joan Sutherland/Richard Bonynge travel scholarship from the Australian Opera Auditions Committee enabling him to undertake further study in Europe, and take up the position of Music Intern at the Bayreuth Festival for Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg in 2008

English National Ballet and Conductors

Caroline ThomsonExecutive Director

BirthplaceLondon, UKTraining Graduated from York with a degree in History and Economics. BBC Journalism trainee Previous companies

Deputy Director General of the BBC (responsible for all non-programme parts across the entire organisation except Finance, operating budgets in excess of £800m). Channel 4 (in charge of science/business programmes and latterly as

English National BalletJoined 2013Other infoChair of Digital UK (responsible for digital terrestrial television); Non-executive Director of CN Media Group; Deputy Chair of the National Gallery and a trustee of Tullie House Gallery, Cumbria

Gavin SutherlandMusic Director

BirthplaceCounty Durham, UKTraining

First-Class Honours and Master’s in Conducting, Orchestration and Piano; Kruczynski Prize for Piano and Davidson Prize for Distinction brought to the Institution

Northern Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Royal Ballet Sinfonia, Norwegian National Ballet, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and Münchner Rundfunkorchester. Currently principal conductor for Australian Philharmonic OrchestraEnglish National Ballet Appointed Music Director June 2008. Arranged and orchestrated Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty for Angelina’s Star Performance and Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition. Orchestrations include: Wayne Eagling’s Men Y Men set to

My First Sleeping Beauty and, in 2013, My First Cinderella and My First Ballet: Coppélia in 2014Other infoRecorded over 80 CDs; broadcast worldwide; regular conductor for BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night is Music Night. His musical Little Women enjoyed two runs in London, and his other compositions and arrangements are in considerable demand. Frequent appearances as piano soloist and in chamber music. Appointed chairman of the Light Music Society in 2009

Alex Ingram Guest Conductor

BirthplaceLondon, UK EducationCambridge University; Guildhall School of Music and Drama and National Opera StudioPrevious companiesThe Royal Ballet (Guest Conductor); English National Opera (Resident Conductor); State Opera of South Australia (Music Director); Welsh National Opera and Kieler OperEnglish National BalletThe Sleeping Beauty, Nutcracker, Cinderella, Romeo & Juliet, Le Corsaire and Swan Lake Career highlightsConducting Swan Lake at the Wiener Staatsoper with Svetlana Zakharova and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra (2014)Other InfoHe has conducted frequently for Sylvie Guillem (ROH, Japan, China and Australia). In 2007 he conducted Didy Veldman’s new Cinderella for Göteborg Ballet. Alex also has a repertoire of over 50 Operas and has conducted more than 150 performances at the London Coliseum

Creatives

Wayne EaglingChoreography

BirthplaceMontreal, CanadaTrainingPatricia Ramsey School of Dance Arts, California Royal Ballet SchoolPrevious CompaniesThe Royal Ballet 1969 - 1991; Dutch National Ballet, Artistic Director 1991 - 2003; English National Ballet, Artistic Director 2005 - 2012English National BalletCreated Resolution (2008), nominated for Best Classical Choreography at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards; Men Y Men (2009); Nutcracker (2010); Jeux (2012) Career highlightsPartnering Dame Margot Fonteyn in Les Sylphides and Hamlet and Ophelia, working with Sir Kenneth MacMillan and choreographing I Want to Break Free for Freddie Mercury and QueenOther infoCreated works for the Royal Ballet School and The Royal Ballet (Frankenstein and Beauty and the Beast); Carla Fracci, La Scala, Milan (Queen of Spades and Alma Malhar); Dutch National Ballet (Nutcracker, Magic Flute and Rite of Spring); Hong Kong Ballet (The Last Emperor); Rome Opera (Mary, Queen of Scots and Thaïs) and Kremlin Ballet, Moscow (Blue God and Beauty and the Beast). Vice President of The London Ballet Circle; Trustee of Capital City Academy, London and Chairman of Seoul International Ballet Competition. His Nutcracker has been produced in Amsterdam, Helsinki and Warsaw. A new production of The Sleeping Beauty, 2014, for The New National Theatre, Tokyo and Men Y Men will be staged in Tokyo, February 2016. Enjoys golf, scuba diving and old cars

Peter FarmerDesigner

BirthplaceLuton, UKPrevious affiliationsThe Kirov Ballet, Vienna State Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne, Berlin and Rome Opera Houses, London Contemporary Dance Theatre, Rambert Dance Theatre and London City BalletCreated work Designs for the Company include Night Shadow, Coppélia, Cinderella, Bourée Fantastique, Verdi Variations and The Storm, Swan Lake and Wayne Eagling’s The Nutcracker (2010)Other infoHe is a successful painter and has had numerous one man exhibitions. In May 2013 he won the prestigious Benois de la Danse Award for a Lifetime Achievement prize

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Composer

BirthplaceKamski-Votkinsk, Russia(1840-1893)TrainingQualified as a lawyer in St PetersburgAffiliationsResigned his government post in 1862, Moscow Conservatoire (teacher), Composer and conductor (Russia, Europe, USA)Created workOperas including Eugene Onegin, The Queen of Spades. Ballets including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, The NutcrackerOther infoRecipient of Order of Vladimir (1884), Nominated Member of the Académie Francaise (1892), Honorary Doctorate in Music from Cambridge University

David RichardsonLighting

BirthplaceCrawley, UKTrainingNational Youth TheatreLighting designed for The Sleeping Beauty, Angelina’s Star Performance, Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition,Wayne Eagling’s world premieres of Resolution (2008), Men Y Men (2009) and The Nutcracker (2010) for English National Ballet, Dance Umbrella and many productions at Riverside StudiosPrevious affiliations include Shaw Theatre, Riverside StudiosEnglish National BalletJoined 1986, Chief ElectricianOther infoWorked with many international companies at Riverside Studios and toured with Cirque Imaginaire

Artistic

Loipa Araújo Associate Artistic Director

BirthplaceHavana, CubaTrainingSociedad Pro-Arte Musical with Alberto Alonso and Leon Fokine. Alicia Alonso Ballet School with Alicia and Fernando Alonso, Raymond Franchetti, José Parés and Asaf MessererPrevious companies Principal with Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Ballet de Marseille. Guest performances with Bolshoi Ballet, Maly Theatre, Bulgarian National Opera and Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet and Béjart Ballet, Lausanne, SwitzerlandCreated rolesRoland Petit’s Coppélia and L’Arlésienne English National BalletJoined September 2012 Other infoKnown as one of the ‘Four Jewels of Cuban Ballet’, highly respected and sought after across the world for her unique style and teaching skills. Principal Teacher, Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Principal Guest Teacher, Teatro dell’Opera, Rome, Teatro alla Scala, Operá Nacional de Bordeaux, Maggio Fiorentino, Florence, Teatro di San Carlos, Naples, Paris Opéra Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet and Béjart Ballet. Won the Gold Medal in Varna in 1965 and a Silver in Moscow in 1969. Gold star, Champs Elysées Ballet Festival in 1970. Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur, France. Orden Félix Varela, Cuba

Hua Fang ZhangBallet Mistress and Repetiteur

BirthplaceShanghai, People’s Republic of ChinaTrainingBeijing Dance Academy Previous companies Principal dancer Hong Kong Ballet; First Soloist National Ballet of China, Beijing; Guest performer Singapore Dance Theatre, Singapore; Ballet Mistress, National Ballet of China, Beijing; Ballet Mistress, LaLala Human Steps, Montreal, Canada; First International Dance Festival, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Second International Dance Festival, Miami, Florida; Ballet Mistress, Ballet Jazz, Montreal, CanadaEnglish National BalletJoined September 2012 Other infoAs a teacher Hua Fang has coached many dancers throughout the world including the Beijing International Ballet Competition, the USA International Ballet Competition and the Helsinki International Ballet competition and was Rehearsal Director for the film Amelia by Edouard Lock

Farooq Chaudhry Producer

BirthplaceLahore, PakistanTraining MA Arts Management from City University London. Certificate in Choreography and Contemporary Dance from London Contemporary Dance SchoolAffiliations Farooq danced professionally across the globe in the 80s and 90s and was awarded an Asian Achievement Award for his work as a dancer in 1988. He is Co-founder and Producer of Akram Khan Company, Co-director of Khan Chaudhry ProductionsEnglish National BalletJoined 2013Other infoChair of Dance UK; Board Member of AKCT; Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee for Clore Leadership Programme and Witness for the School for Social Entrepreneurs. Awarded an honorary doctorate from De Montfort University for services to dance in 2014

Yohei SasakiBallet Master and Repetiteur

BirthplaceMorioka, JapanTrainingTomoko Kurosawa Ballet Studio, Japan and the Royal Ballet Upper School (scholarship awarded by the Prix de Lausanne)Previous affiliationsFirst Soloist with The Royal BalletRepetoireFranz (Coppélia), Prince (The Nutcracker), Principal roles in Gloria, Danses Concertantes, Les Rendezvous, La Valse, Scènes de ballet, Rhapsody, Symphonic Variations and many other roles in works by Petipa, de Valois, Ashton, MacMillan and Balanchine. Created roles include works by David Bintley, Ashley Page, Christopher Wheeldon, William Tuckett and Michael CorderOther infoGuest appearances with Irek Mukhamedov and Company both in London and Finland, K-Ballet Company in Japan and A Royal Christmas Tour in the United States presented by Princeton Entertainment. Yohei completed the professional dancers teaching course at the Royal Ballet School and as a Guest Teacher he has taught for Ballet Black and Michael Clark Company as well as various vocational schools including English National Ballet School, the Royal Ballet School and Young Dancers Academy

Artistic and Pianists

Antonio CastillaBallet Master and Repetiteur

BirthplaceBarcelona, Spain TrainingBrussels Conservatoire Royal de la Monnaie underJosé Pares, María de Avila Estudio, Zaragoza with María de Avila, Cristina Miñana and Lola de Avila.National Ballet of Spain with Azari Plissetsky and in New York with David Howard and Stanley WilliamsPrevious companiesPrincipal with Ballet de Zaragoza, Ballet Clásico Nacional de España and San Francisco BalletEnglish National Ballet Joined December 2013Other informationHis teaching career began at the San Francisco Ballet School (1992-1999) under the guidance of Lola de Avila and Aurora Bosch, and continues in London at Central School of Ballet directing their touring graduating company. In 2005 joined the Royal Ballet School’s White Lodge. Has worked as guest teacher with Northern Ballet and in Summer Schools in Spain and Italy. As a choreographer his work has been seen with the Lawrence Pech Dance Co (San Francisco), San Francisco Ballet School, Central School of Ballet and the Royal Ballet School. Won the Gold Medal and the Grand Prix in Couples at the1986 Paris International Ballet Competition

George WilliamsonAssociate Artist

BirthplaceWorcestershire, UK TrainingAcademy Dance, Worcester and English National Ballet School Previous companyPolish National Ballet, Warsaw Created workWhilst at English National Ballet School George won the Choreographic Competition for three consecutive years and the CTRL-ALT-SHIFT Award. Ballets created included, Round the Corner (2009) presented at the Peacock Theatre and the City of London Festival. In 2010 created Ana-Chro-Po for English National Ballet School’s Summer performance. For Polish National Ballet he created Animus in 2011. For New English Ballet Theatre he created Threefold in 2012. Firebirdfor English National Ballet receiving its world premiere at the London Coliseum in 2012. My First Cinderella, premiered at the Peacock Theatre, 2013. That same year George received a nomination for the Benois de la Danse Award for Firebird and created Tempus for Her Majesty The Queen’s Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace. For Dutch National Ballet’s Junior Company created Dawn Dances and recently with New York Choreographic Institute creating Four On The Floor. In 2014 produced My First Ballet: Coppélia and for 2015 will create My First Ballet: Swan Lake

Chris SwithinbankCompany Pianist

BirthplaceCavendish, SuffolkTrainingEly Cathedral and Royal College of MusicPrevious affiliationsBallet Rambert, Rambert Dance Company, Incantation (Top of the Pops in 1982), Stephen Petronio, Merce Cunningham, Steven Berkoff (Salome) and The Royal BalletOther infoCompositions for Rambert Dance Company and Lincolnshire Youth Dance Co; solo pianist in English National Ballet’s Who Cares? (Strictly Gershwin); Sinfonietta Giocosa

Rhapsody in Blue (Strictly Gershwin); Faun(e) (Debussy); Vue a l’autre (Einaudi) and Petite Mort (Mozart)

Julia RichterCompany Pianist

BirthplaceBelfast, Northern IrelandTrainingRoyal College of Music, studied with Phyllis Sellick and Hubert Dawkes.Advanced study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama - accompanist and répétiteur - winner of the Michael James Music Trust ScholarshipPrevious affiliationsHead Pianist Royal Ballet Upper School, company pianist - Birmingham Royal Ballet, pianist - National Opera and New Music Theatre Labs, and BBC Imagineering LabEnglish National BalletJoined December 2012 – A Tribute to Nureyev - Petrushka (solo piano) and Raymonda Act III. Lest We Forget – No Man’s Land (solo piano – Cantique d’amour – F Liszt) and Stina Quagebeur’s Vera (solo piano – Sleep – Ivor Gurney)Other infoThe Royal Ballet, Australian Ballet, the Place, pianist/celesta/harpsichord for the Royal Ballet Sinfonia, orchestra of the Royal Opera House and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Extensive recital and chamber music - has played in all major concert halls. Solo pianist in Henze’s Elegy for Young Lovers (Opéra de Lausanne); Berio’s Coro (BBC Proms); Samuel’s Clytemnestra (BBC Wales); tutor, piano and chamber music (McKinsey European Music Festival) and The Knack (ENO and Council for Music in Hospitals)

Guest Artists

Michael Coleman* Character Artist

Birthplace London, UKTrainingRoyal Ballet SchoolPrevious affiliationsThe Royal Ballet touring company, The Royal Ballet, Covent GardenEnglish National BalletFirst danced with the Company as a Guest Artist in 1995 and has regularly appeared as Dr Coppelius in Ronald Hynd’s Coppélia; The Tutor and Master of Ceremonies in Derek Deane’s productions of Swan Lake and Swan Lake in-the-round and as Friar Lawrence and Escalus, Prince of Verona in Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet and most recently Deane’s in-the-round production at the Royal Albert Hall Favourite rolesThe husband in Jerome Robbins’ The Concert Personal infoEnjoys spending time with his son

Mathias Dingman*Guest Artist

BirthplaceSouth Carolina, USA TrainingKirov Academy of Ballet, Washington DCCurrent company Birmingham Royal Ballet ( joined 2006, First Artist 2010, Soloist 2011, First Soloist 2012)Repertoire includesThe Sleeping Beauty (Prince Florimund, Bluebird), The Nutcracker (Prince), Cinderella (Prince), Aladdin (title role), The Prince of the Pagodas (Salamander Prince), Swan Lake (Benno), Romeo & Juliet (Mercutio), The Dream (Puck), Giselle (Harvest pas deux), Carmina burana (Second Seminarian), Far from the Madding Crowd (Gabriel Oak), Card Game (Joker), La Fille mal gardée (Alain), Concerto (First Movement), In the Upper Room, Grosse Fuge, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café (Brazilian Woolly Monkey), E=mc2 (‘Celeritas2’) and Take Five (‘Flying Solo’)English National BalletThis marks his debut with the Company Other infoHe won the Gold Medal at the Varna International Ballet Competition (2006)

Casey Herd*Guest Artist

BirthplaceSalt Lake City, Utah, USA TrainingKirov Academy of Ballet, Washington DC; Ballet West Conservatory, Salt Lake CityCurrent company Dutch National Ballet (Guest Soloist 2007, Principal 2008)Previous companiesABT (1997-1999); Pacific Northwest Ballet (1999-2008); and as a Guest Principal he has appeared with San Francisco Ballet (2009-2010); Pacific Northwest (2013) and Lithuanian National Ballet (2014)Repertoire includes Leading roles by choreographers such as George Balanchine; William Forsythe; Nacho Duato; Twyla Tharp; Glen Tetley; Jerome Robbins; David Dawson; Alexei Ratmansky; Rudy Van Dantzig; Hans van Manen; Helgi Tomasson; Christopher Wheeldon; Jean-Christophe Maillot; Paul Taylor; David Parsons; Merce Cunningham; Ulysses Dove; Jorma Elo; Lar Lubovitch and many moreEnglish National BalletThis marks his debut with the Company Other infoIn 2011 Dance Europe placed Casey 19th in their top 100 international dancers who made outstanding achievements. In 2012 he received The Alexandra Radius Award

‘’Jane Haworth has developed a wonderful persona – up there with the best’’Ballet.co.uk

‘’Michael Coleman’s Dr Coppelius – one of the

The Daily Telegraph

“Mathias Dingman as the Salamander Prince was

Dance Europe

“A phenomenal partner and versatile in both the classical

The Alexandra Radius Award Jury

*Guest Artists

Jane HaworthArtistic Co-ordinator/ Character Artist

BirthplaceWalthamstow, UKTrainingRoyal Ballet SchoolEnglish National BalletJoined 1983, Senior Soloist 1990, Artistic Co-ordinator 2002Favourite rolesLady Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, Sylph in La SylphideCareer highlightGuest appearance in 1990 in La Sylphide with Peter Schaufuss and performing Lady Capulet at the Royal Albert HallOther infoCreated role of the Woman in Robert North’s A Stranger I Came. This year marks Jane’s 30th anniversary with the CompanyPersonal infoEnjoys the countryside and cooking and is an Ambassador for The Hunger Project UK, a global, non-profit organisation committed to the sustainable end of world hunger in Africa, South Asia and Latin AmericaBest part about touringNo more tubes or commuting and also seeing the camaraderie and family atmosphere between everyonePartner you would like to dance withHaving danced with Nureyev, who could ask for more?

Guest Artists and Lead Principals

*Guest Artists

Vitor Luiz*Guest Artist

BirthplaceJuiz de Fora, Brazil TrainingVictor Navarro, Dalal Achcar, Pedro Kraszczuck and the Royal Ballet School Current CompanyPrincipal at San Francisco Ballet, after Birmingham Royal Ballet and Municipal Theater Ballet, Rio de JaneiroRepertoire includesAlbrecht in Wright/Tomasson’s Giselle; Nutcracker Prince and King of the Snow Achcar/Tomasson’s Nutcracker; Romeo in Raphael’s Romeo & Juliet; Mercutio in Vassiliev/Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet; Prince Siegfried in Pankova/Fedorova/ Molajoli/Tomasson’s Swan Lake; Basilio in Tomasson/Possokhov’s Don Quixote; Franz in Balanchine/Martinez’s Coppélia; Onegin and Lensky in Cranko’s Onegin; Lutencio in Taming of the Shrew; MacMillan’s Winter Dreams, Colas in Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée; Dante Sonata; Symphonic Variations; Scènes de ballet and The Two Pigeons; Adam in Scholz’s The Creation; Tetley’s Voluntaries and Jean de Brienne in Nureyev’s Raymonda. He created roles in Tomasson’s Trio and Caprice; Possokov’s Raku and Talk to Her; Ratmansky’s From Foreign Lands; Zanela’s Underskin; Scarlet’s Hummingbird; Page’s Guide to Strange Places; Liang’s Symphonic Dances; Caniparoli’s Tears and Wheeldon’s Number Nine and Ghosts Other infoLuiz won the Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Best Ensemble Performance in 2010

Examiner.com

Alina Cojocaru Lead Principal

BirthplaceBucharest, Romania TrainingKiev State Choreographic Institute and Royal Ballet Upper SchoolPrevious companiesKiev Ballet (Principal dancer 1998), The Royal Ballet (Corps de ballet 1999, Soloist 2000, Principal 2001)English National BalletJoined 2013 Favourite rolesGiselle, Julie (Liliom), Marguerite Gautier (The Lady of the Camellias), Tatiana (Onegin) and Manon Career highlightsEvery minute spent in the studio with John Neumeier and being on stage in his ballets and every role prepared and performed with Johan KobborgOther info“Dancer of the year” German Dance Critics Award (2012); Benois de la Danse (2012 Best Female Dancer, Liliom); ‘Ballerina of the Decade’ Award (Moscow 2010); VIP Romanian Music and Performing Arts Award (2010); The Nijinsky Award (2004 Best Female Dancer); Benois de la Danse (2004 Best Female Dancer, Giselle); 1 Internationaler Movimentos Tanz Preis (2004 Best Female Dancer); Nagoya International Ballet Competition (Gold Medal); Prix de Lausanne (1997 winner); Critics’ Circle Dance Award (2002 Best female dancer); April 2002 she was given by the President of Romania Ion Iliescu, the medal of Cavaler of Romania (Ordinul national ‘Pentru Merit’ in gradul de cavaler)

‘’Cojocaru’s line, beautiful extensions, airy jumps, her wraithlike, weightless quality are all gorgeous. This is technique rendered invisible by artistry’’The New York Times

Elena GlurdjidzeLead Principal

BirthplaceTbilisi, GeorgiaTraining Tbilisi Choreographic School, Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, St PetersburgEnglish National BalletJoined 2002, Principal Dancer, Lead Principal 2007Favourite rolesGiselle, Kitri in Don Quixote, Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, and ManonFavourite productionManonCareer highlightsCreated leading role of the Gypsy Girl in Michael Corder’s The Snow Queen and Virginia in The Canterville Ghost. Appreared in Van Le Ngoc’s Vue de l’autre, Katie Melua’s It’s Only Pain, and the BBC’s production The ImpressionistsOther info2009 nominated for Best Female Dancer, Critics’ Circle Awards. Winner of 2007 and 2008 Ballet.co.uk Audience Poll for Best Female Dancer, Best Partner Award at 7th Perm Open Competition (2002), and 8th Paris International Competition of Soloists (1998). Married and has a son, Alexander Abashidze. Speaks Georgian, Russian and English

“hauntingly and compellingly

The Observer

“Dmitri Gruzdyev, noble, discreet and powerfully occupying the stage, as well as

The Daily Telegraph

Dmitri Gruzdyev Lead Principal

BirthplaceSt Petersburg, RussiaTrainingVaganova Ballet AcademyPrevious companiesKirov BalletEnglish National BalletJoined 1993Favourite rolesAlbrecht in Giselle, Solor in La bayadère, Des Grieux in ManonCareer highlightsWorking with Glen Tetley and Natalia Makarova and meeting Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf NureyevOther infoFirst prize at the first Vaganova Ballet Competition (1988)Personal infoHas two beautiful children

Lead Principals and Principals

“...I could have watched the

all night’’The Daily Telegraph

Erina TakahashiLead Principal

BirthplaceKushiro, JapanTrainingKushiro Ballet Academy by Kou Yano, English National Ballet SchoolEnglish National BalletJoined 1996, Principal 2000, Lead Principal 2007Favourite rolesGiselle, Juliet, The Chosen One in The Rite of SpringFavourite productionMary Skeaping’s GiselleCareer highlightsCreating role of Aurora in Deane’s The Sleeping Beauty and Clara in Christopher Hampson’s The NutcrackerOther infoBest Female Newcomer in 2002 Critics’ Circle Awards. Enjoys reading in English and Japanese and doing yoga. Erina is married to Junior Soloist, James Streeter

The Independent on Sunday

Fernanda OliveiraLead Principal

BirthplaceRio de Janeiro, BrazilTrainingCentro de Dança Rio, Royal Ballet Upper SchoolPrevious companyBallet Nacional de Santiago de ChileEnglish National BalletJoined 2000, Coryphée 2002, Soloist 2003, First Soloist 2004, Principal dancer 2007, Lead Principal 2009Favourite rolesJuliet, Swanilda in Coppélia, title role in ManonFavourite productionsRomeo & Juliet and ManonCareer highlightsPerforming in Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium and creating the role of Gerda in The Snow QueenOther infoWon first prize and grand prix in Buenos Aires and first prize in Conselho Brasileiro da Dança. Married to First Soloist Fabian Reimair and gave birth to their son Liam in July 2010

Yonah Acosta Principal

Birthplace Havana, Cuba TrainingCuban National Ballet School Previous CompanyBallet Nacional de CubaEnglish National BalletJoined 2011 as First Artist, promoted Junior Soloist Summer 2011 and Principal in 2014. Roles include Eagling’s Men Y Men and Ashton’s pas de quatre in Deane’s Swan Lake. The Young Man in Roland Petit’s Le Jeune Homme et la Mort and made his debut as the Nephew/Prince in Eagling’s production of The Nutcracker at the London Coliseum, Christmas 2011. Autumn 2012 danced Bluebird and Prince Désiré in MacMillan’s The Sleeping Beauty. July 2013 appeared opposite Tamara Rojo in Nureyev’s Raymonda Act III and Autumn 2013 danced the leading roles of Conrad, Ali and Birbanto in Le Corsaire. In 2014 made his debut as Franz in Ronald Hynd’s Coppélia and Prince Siegfried in Swan LakeRole would love to danceCount Albrecht Other info2007 won Silver medal at the First Beijing Ballet Competition. 2007 Grand Prix in the International Ballet Competition of Cuba. 2008 won Gold, Shanghai International Ballet Competition. 2008 won Gold in Korea International Ballet Competition. Winner of both the 2012 Emerging Dancer and People’s Choice Awards. In 2011 and 2012 winner of the Mr Virtuoso Award at the International Ballet Festival Dance Open, St Petersburg, Russia

“…blessed with an easy athleticism and a seductive

The Daily Telegraph

“The beautiful Begoña Cao was a standout in Derek Deane’s

The Times

Begoña CaoPrincipal

BirthplaceLondon, UKTrainingArts Educational School London, Royal Ballet Upper SchoolEnglish National BalletJoined 1997, Junior Soloist 2000, Soloist 2003, First Soloist 2008, Principal 2009Favourite rolesAurora, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet (Nureyev), Giselle (Skeaping), Zobeide in Schéhérazade, ManonCareer highlightsA Million Kisses to my Skin by David Dawson and creating roles in Wayne Eagling’s Resolution and Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin. 2011 leading role in Roland Petit’s CarmenOther infoHas toured with Carlos Acosta and hosted a Dance Gala In 2009 in aid of two London children’s charities

Principals and First Soloists

Arionel VargasPrincipal

BirthplacePinar del Rio, CubaTrainingNational Ballet School of Cuba – Laura Alonso and Ivan MonrealPrevious companyRoyal Winnipeg Ballet of CanadaEnglish National BalletJoined 2004Favourite rolesAlbrecht in Giselle, Romeo, Des Grieux in ManonCareer highlightsDancing with Evelyn Hart and Carlos AcostaOther infoWon gold medal in Brazil International Ballet Competition 1994 and bronze in New York International Ballet Competition 1996. Enjoys music and spending time with his family

Alejandro Virelles Principal

BirthplaceSantiago de Cuba, Cuba TrainingEscuela Vocacional de Arte, Santiago de Cuba; Escuela Profesional de Ballet, Camaguey; Escuela Nacional de Ballet, La Habana Previous companies Ballet Nacional de Cuba; Angel Corella’s Barcelona Ballet and Boston Ballet English National BalletJoined as Principal 2014 and has appeared as Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and as Franz in CoppéliaRoles would like to danceDes Grieux in Manon and Conrad in Corsaire Other infoAlejandro has danced leading roles in many of the classics and neo-classical works and was Silver Medal winner at the Varna International Competition in 2004. In 2002 he won Gold and Special Prize at the International Ballet Competition of Ballet Schools, Havana and won Gold Medal once again in 2004

“He is very handsome and tall, with generous Cuban arms and quiet, clean footwork’’The Daily Telegraph

“A tall, lean, handsome young man with amazing extension and the kind of control you

DanceTabs

Crystal CostaFirst Soloist

BirthplaceVancouver, CanadaTrainingIn Vancouver and The National Ballet School in TorontoPrevious companyHong Kong Ballet as Principal DancerEnglish National BalletJoined 2007, First Soloist 2008Favourite roleGiselleFavourite productionsGiselle and Les SylphidesOther infoWon the Peter Dwyer Award for Most Promising Dancer. Had roles created for her in Natalie Weir’s Turandot and Madama Butterfly. Choreographed her first short work Mirror for Hong Kong Ballet’s choreographic workshop in 2007. She loves to cook and enjoys playing the drums. Crystal was the winner of the 2010 People’s Choice Award

James ForbatFirst Soloist

BirthplaceLondon, UKTrainingRoyal Ballet School English National BalletJoined 2005, First Artist 2008, Soloist 2009, First Soloist 2013Favourite rolesHans van Manen’s Trois Gnossiennes and Prince Désiré in The Sleeping BeautyRoles would like to danceRomeo, Prince Siegfried in Swan LakeFavourite productionsNureyev’s Romeo & Juliet, David Dawson’s A Million Kisses to my SkinCareer highlightsPerforming in New York and Tokyo and at the Herod Atticus Amphitheatre in Athens. Dancing Prince Désiré in The Sleeping Beauty and the Prince in The Nutcracker at the London ColiseumOther infoEnjoys playing the piano and cooking. Has two brothers who are not dancers

First Soloists

Fabian ReimairFirst Soloist

BirthplaceVienna, AustriaTrainingVienna State Opera Ballet School, Marika Besobrasova in Monte CarloPrevious companyVienna State OperaEnglish National BalletJoined 2002, Soloist 2003, First Soloist 2007Favourite rolesAlbrecht in Giselle, Tybalt in Romeo & JulietFavourite productionRomeo & JulietCareer highlightsDancing Lescaut in Manon and performing as Rothbart at Concert for Diana at Wembley StadiumOther infoWould most like to dance with his wife, Lead Principal Fernanda Oliveira

Shiori KaseFirst Soloist

BirthplaceTokyo, JapanEnglish National BalletJoined 2009, Soloist 2013, First Soloist 2014TrainingHirose Kato Ballet School, Royal Ballet SchoolFavourite productionManonCareer highlightsDancing Peasant pas de deux in Giselle and dancing at NBT’s 40th Anniversary gala representing English National Ballet. Other roles include Gulnare in Corsaire and the leading role of Swanilda in Ronald Hynd’s production of Coppélia. Autumn 2014 made her debut as Odette/Odile an Swan LakeRole you would love to danceManonAwards Won third prize in the 2006 Youth America Grand Prix and was the winner of the 2011 Emerging Dancer Award. Shiori won the Gold Medal at the 2014 USA International Ballet Competition

Adela RamírezFirst Soloist

BirthplaceBarcelona, SpainTrainingPastora Martos School, Joan Magriña School, English National Ballet School, Paris Opera Ballet SchoolPrevious companiesLondon City Ballet, Vienna Staatsoper BalletEnglish National BalletJoined 1998, First Artist 2003, Soloist 2004, First Soloist 2008Favourite rolesTrois Gnossiennes, Odette/Odile, Stepsister in Corder’s Cinderella, Le Corsaire, Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, would love to dance the title role in GiselleCareer highlightDancing Gerda in The Snow Queen with Juan Rodriguez as KayOther infoEnjoys time off with friends, shopping and wishes her dog could join her from Spain!

Junor SouzaFirst Soloist

BirthplaceRio de Janeiro, BrazilEnglish National Ballet Joined 2008, First Artist 2010, Junior Soloist 2011, First Soloist 2014TrainingEscola de Danca, English National Ballet SchoolRole would love to danceSolor in La bayadèreCareer highlightsThe Prince in The Nutcracker, Albrecht in Giselle, Romeo in both Nureyev’s Romeo & Juliet and Derek Deane’s in-the round production. Prince Siegfried in Deane’s Swan Lake and all three male leads in Corsaire Conrad, Ali and Lankendem. In 2014 Junor was nominated for the Emerging Dancer Award winning both titles of Emerging Dancer and People’s Choice Awards Other infoPerformed in the Roseta Mauri Competition and loves to singPartner you would like to dance with Monique Loudières

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First Soloists and Soloists

Laurretta Summerscales First Soloist

Birthplace Surrey, UKEnglish National BalletJoined 2009, First Soloist 2013TrainingKaren Clarke Theatre School (Tracey Summerscales: for 14 years) Susan Robinson School of Ballet (for 11 years) English National Ballet School (2 years) Favourite roleOdette/Odile in Swan LakeCareer highlightsInclude being invited to join the Company and dancing the leading role of Myrtha, Queen of the Willis in Giselle at the London Coliseum, January 2010. George Williamson creating the role of Purist in Firebird (2012). Debut as the Lilac Fairy in Kenneth MacMillan’s production of The Sleeping Beauty and in June 2013 appearing at the Royal Albert Hall as Odette/Odile in Derek Deane’s Swan Lake in-the-round Roles would love to danceJuliet, Aurora and The Chosen One in The Rite of Spring Other infoWon the Joyce Percy Memorial Award, Stella Mann Award, Baines-Hewitt Award, Young Dancer of the Year 2007-2009 and Molly Lake Award. Laurretta loves art and hates bad weather! She one day hopes to achieve her ultimate ambition of becoming a Lead Principal dancer. Finalist (2011) Emerging Dancer Award and was nominated for the 2013 Emerging Dancer Competition winning the People’s Choice Award. In July 2013 Laurretta won the Gold Medal at the Beijing International Ballet Competition

Désirée BallantyneSoloist

BirthplaceToronto, CanadaTrainingRoyal Ballet School, English National Ballet SchoolEnglish National BalletJoined 1999, First Artist 2004, Soloist 2007Favourite rolesLilac Fairy in The Sleeping Beauty, Dream Alice in Alice in Wonderland and Clara in The Nutcracker (Hampson)Career highlightDancing the girl in Hampson’s Trapéze at Sadler’s WellsOther infoToured to China with Zürich Ballet whilst still a student, interested in independent film and contemporary music, she grew up and trained in London

Fernando BufaláSoloist

BirthplaceMadrid, SpainEnglish National BalletJoined 2013TrainingRoyal Ballet SchoolPrevious companiesBarcelona Ballet (Corella Ballet) 2008-2013, English National Ballet 2001-2008Favourite rolesMercutio in Romeo & Juliet, Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake and Ali in Le CorsaireFavourite productionsA Million Kisses to my Skin, Romeo & JulietCareer highlightsDance for 4 – Christopher Wheeldon’s in the City Center (New York), Siegfried in La Zarzuela (Madrid), and the principal role in Etudes (London)Other infoLikes photography, cooking, and has a small dog named Chloe!

Ksenia OvsyanickSoloist

BirthplaceTihvin, RussiaTrainingBelarus State Ballet College, English National Ballet SchoolEnglish National BalletJoined 2008, First Artist 2013, Soloist 2014Favourite roleOdette/Odile and Firebird Favourite productionManonRole I would love to danceManonRepertoire includesAurora, Sleeping Beauty; Odette/Odile, Swan Lake; Medora and Gulnare, Corsaire; Clara, Nutcracker; Spectre de la Rose; Schéhérazade; title roles in Giselle; Firebird; Petite Mort; No Man’s Land as well as a variety of Soloist roles in the Company repertoire Other infoReceived ‘Outstanding Female Performance’ (Classical) at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards 2012. Prize winner at a number of competitions including the Prix de Lausanne; Beijing International Ballet Competition; Harkov International Ballet Competition, Ukraine. Danced her first Giselle at the tender age of 20 and nominated for the Company’s Emerging Dancer Award Career highlightBenois de la Danse nomination for Best Female Dancer, Moscow 2013 and creating the title role in the world premiere of George Williamson’s Firebird Partner you would like to dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov

Junior Soloists

Laurent LiotardoJunior Soloist

BirthplaceMarseille, FrancePrevious companiesOpéra de Paris, Opéra de Bordeaux, Ballet National de Marseille

James StreeterJunior Soloist

BirthplaceRochford, UKEnglish National BalletJoined 2004, First Artist 2007, Junior Soloist 2011

Kei AkahoshiJunior Soloist

BirthplaceOkayama, JapanTraining ElmhurstEnglish National Ballet School

Anton LukovkinJunior Soloist

BirthplaceSt Petersburg, RussiaPrevious companyMariinsky (Kirov) Ballet

Max WestwellJunior Soloist

BirthplaceLondon, UKEnglish National BalletJoined 2004, First Artist 2009, Junior Soloist 2011

Katja Khaniukova Junior Soloist

Birthplace Kiev, UkraineTrainingKiev State Choreographic Institute

Senri KouJunior Soloist

BirthplaceGifu, JapanTrainingNana Kawashima Ballet Studio, London Studio Centre

Juan RodríguezJunior Soloist

BirthplaceBilbao, SpainRole would like to danceThe Chosen One in The Rite of Spring

Daniel KrausJunior Soloist

BirthplaceMadrid, SpainPrevious companiesBallet Mediterraneo, European Ballet, K Ballet

First Artists and Artists of the Company

Tamarin StottFirst ArtistBirthplaceFarnborough, UK

Madison KeeslerFirst Artist BirthplaceCarlsbad, California USA

Van Le NgocFirst ArtistBirthplaceHanoi, Vietnam

Makoto NakamuraFirst ArtistBirthplaceTokyo, Japan

Francisco BoschArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceValencia, Spain

Jung ah Choi Artist of the CompanyBirthplaceSeoul, South Korea

Barry DrummondArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceCallander, Scotland

Shevelle DynottArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceLondon, UK

Isabelle BrouwersArtist of the Company BirthplaceBonn, Germany

Tiffany HedmanArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceCalifornia, USA

Paloma Gavalda RuzArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceTarragona, Spain

Yoko Callegari Artist of the CompanyBirthplaceYorktown Heights, NY, USA

Jessica ClydeArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSheffield, UK

Cesar CorralesArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceMexico City, Mexico

Precious AdamsArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceCanton, Michigan, USA

Jennie HarringtonArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceMiddlesex, UK

Ken SaruhashiFirst ArtistBirthplaceShiga, Japan

Alison McWhinneyFirst ArtistBirthplacePort MacQuarie, Australia

Anjuli HudsonArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceNew Haven, CT, USA

Amber HuntArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceAuckland, New Zealand

Artists of the Company

Vitor MenezesArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSão Bernardo do Campo, Brazil

Stina QuagebeurArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSint Lievens Houtem, Belgium

Guilherme MenezesArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSão Bernardo do Campo, Brazil

Grant RaeArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceGlasgow, UK

Daniele Silingardi Artist of the CompanyBirthplaceCastelfranco Veneto, Italy

Maria José SalesArtist of the Company BirthplaceValencia, Spain

Angela WoodArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceDenver, USA

Nathan YoungArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceMackay, Australia

Seo-Yeon YuArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSeoul, South Korea

Simona MarsibilioArtist of the Company Birthplace Bari, Italy

Merritt MooreArtist of the Company Birthplace California, USA

Joan Sebastian ZamoraArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceCali, Colombia

Jia ZhangArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceLiao Ning, China

Joshua McSherry-GrayArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceHull, UK

Pedro LapetraArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceZaragoza, Spain

Jeanette KakarekaArtist of the CompanyBirthplacePennsylvania, USA

Adriana LizardiArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceSan Juan, Puerto Rico

Maria Sascha KhanArtist of the CompanyBirthplacePray, Montana, USA

Jinhao ZhangArtist of the CompanyBirthplaceShanghai, China

Sarah KundiArtist of the CompanyBirthplace London, UK

English National Ballet is funded by Arts Council EnglandArts Council England is an independent country-wide body that distributes government money for the arts. Grants are made to professional organisations and individual artists engaged in drama, music and dance, the visual arts and literature. The Council also funds art centres, community arts, runs exhibitions in London and on tour and also dance and theatre touring. For further information write to: The Information Officer, Arts Council England, 14 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 3NQ.

English National Ballet is funded by Westminster City Council Westminster City Council provides substantial support for the arts each year. Local arts organisations of international repute, as well as community arts groups, are funded to deliver community and education arts programmes for Westminster residents, especially those living in areas of deprivation. All of the funded programmes of activity give opportunities for direct participation by local people. English National Ballet’s funding from the council supports the work of the Department of Learning.

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Production Credits

Costume SupervisorCathy Hill

Assistant to the SupervisorGeraldine Tiernan

Costumes made byFran AldersonRobert Allsopp and AssociatesAnna BarcockAmanda BarrowBristol Costume ServicesLally BroomeTracy CaulfieldRose ChandlerJanet ComberJanet ChristmasLal d’AboSerena FusaiSteven GregoryJackie HallattJulia MasonAndrea MoonSue PearlAntonella PetraccaroIngrid PryerTrevor Morson and Ted ScottWill SkeetSally SpratleyElsa ThreadgoldMary TryfonosTony RutherfordWearmoi dancewearMervyn Wallace

Dyeing and PaintingSymone FrostJennifer Smith

MillineryDebbie Boyd

Headdresses and JewelleryLinda Rowland

ShoesFreed of LondonThe Theatrical Footwear CompanyTheatrical Shoe MakersPlumaJulie Heggie

Wig MakersAmeilia Carrington-LeeKatie InceLucy Smith

FacialsSarah Weatherburn & Co

Associate Costume Designer and SupervisorWizzy Shawyer

Make-up provided by

Crystals provided by

Scenic ArtistJohn Campbell

Additional set designs byLouie Whitemore

Sets built byTerry Murphy Scenery LtdDovetail Scenery LtdCloths supplied by J DMcDougals LtdSimon ReadSimon Thompson

Props byMelissa SnellingRussell Beck StudiosOliver HipwellDouglas Andrews (Wheelwright)

Robotics byDavid Buckland

Flying effects byFreedom Flying

Photographs

Photography by ASHPatrick BaldwinChris CatalanDavid BurgessCaroline HoldenBelinda LawleyLaurent Liotardo Annabel MoellerSiân TrenberthDavid Watson

ChoirElizabeth AllenBonnie CallaghanFreya EdgeworthSara HillPeppie JohnsonRebecca McElroyEllie McPheeEllie SwithinbankSophie Swithinbank

For this production of Nutcracker For the London Coliseum

Executive Director Henriette Götz

Technical Resources ManagerDewi Evans

Director of TheatreManagementLynne Adam

Theatre ManagementCoordinatorHelen Beardsley

House ManagementNicola CourtenayDaniel McHaleKeith Parker

Box OfficeBarbara JamesPaul HackneyRichard Wiedemann

CateringRupert WalshElena VasilicaAna LecicChris Carabine

SecurityMick Madden

ENO Technical Staff

English National Ballet

PatronHRH The Duke of York, KGPresidentDame Beryl Grey, DBE

Artistic DirectorTamara RojoExecutive DirectorCaroline ThomsonMusic DirectorGavin SutherlandExecutive AssistantSarah Malin

Board of GovernorsChairmanJustin Bickle

Deputy ChairmanEd Williams

Wendy BeckerSusan BosterKirsty CooperVal GoodingNatasha KaplinskySir Norman RosenthalSteve SacksGrenville TurnerRobert F. WallaceSian Westerman

International AmbassadorThe Baroness de Mandat Grancey

Markova House TrusteeSir Anish Kapoor

Assessor for Arts CouncilEngland (London)Cate Canniffe

Company SecretaryClaire Hawk

ArtisticAssociate Artistic DirectorLoipa AraújoBallet Mistress and RepetiteurHua Fang ZhangBallet Master and RepetiteurYohei SasakiBallet Master and RepetiteurAntonio CastillaAssociate ArtistGeorge WilliamsonArtistic Co-ordinatorJane HaworthArtistic AssistantLia Buddle

MusicMusic Administration ManagerPaul AllenPianistsJulia RichterChris SwithinbankMusic LibrarianLars PayneOrchestra AttendantAndrew Paterson

OperationsProducerFarooq ChaudhryAssociate ProducerLouise Shand-BrownCompany ManagerSarah Cannon-JonesPhysiotherapistJackie PellyCompany Masseur and AcupuncturistDominic HickieCompany DoctorDr. Chris James MB, ChB, FRCGPHonorary Orthopaedic SurgeonProf. WJ Ribbans, PhD, FRCS Orth FFSEMPilatesSarah Lindsey, APPISports ScientistsFrank AppelPatrick RumpChristoph ThormannAdditional Masseuse/MasseurGraham StonesHelen WellingtonHealth and Safety AdvisorDave Allen

AdministrationDirector of Human Resources and Organisational DevelopmentClaire HawkHR and Organisational Development AdvisorNick ArthurHR Co-ordinatorStasia SkolikArchive ConsultantJane Pritchard MBEArchives Assistant/CataloguerMichael Reed

EngagementDirector of EngagementKiki GaleFleur Derbyshire-Fox (Maternity leave)Learning Project ManagerRuby WolkCreative AssociateLaura HarveyLearning and Participation OfficerKate HartleyCreative AssociateDanielle JonesLearning AdministratorLottie Coombes

Finance and FacilitiesInterim Finance DirectorBarry ShineInterim Finance ManagerTricia LewisFinance and System OfficerDavid RowlesFinance OfficerXian ZhangPayroll AssistantJames Palmer

Facilities ManagerSteve HastingsFacilities OfficersAnton GreenKarl HolderAlan VassReceptionistsSuzanne OmerLaura WilkinsIT Support ManagerAlex Bursik

CommunicationsDirector of Marketing and CommunicationsHeather Clark CharringtonCommunications ConsultantSue Lynas PR ManagerRobert JamesPress OfficerAlice GibsonMarketing ManagerBenjamin LalagueDigital Media ManagerDavid WatsonMarketing OfficersStephanie CumbleyAdam Lawford

DevelopmentDevelopment DirectorNicole NewmanHead of Corporate DevelopmentAlyssa BonicHead of Major GivingGaby StylesDevelopment ManagerMichelle McGingIndividual Giving ManagerSilvia MelchiorCorporate Manager Debbie StevensTrusts and Foundations ManagerAnne BiggsActing Events ManagerImogen Curtis

TechnicalTechnical DirectorAlan RichesTechnical Operations ManagerEmily MitchellStage ManagerKerry Lewis (on the book)Assistant Stage ManagersHélène Davies (book cover)Beth ReedChief ElectricianDavid RichardsonChief MechanistDavid BaxterDeputy Chief MechanistAndy MorrisonTouring MechanistsTodd BaxterMarc DussertPaul DwyerAusten HaffendenTed KittleSimon Read

Costume SupervisorCathy HillStock Controller/BuyerGeraldine TiernanDyer/PainterSymone FrostCostumier/CutterSerena FusaiTouring Wardrobe ManagerLola StottSenior Wardrobe AssistantAnna EvripidouTouring Wardrobe AssistantsLauren Isles Sam GilsenanKatherine RogersShoe SupervisorJulie HeggieWig SupervisorAmelia Carrington-LeeWig AssistantsLizzie SharplesLucy Smith

Music Director: Gavin Sutherland Leader: Matthew Scrivener

Since Dame Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin founded what is now English National Ballet in 1950, the Company has always been committed to achieving the highest musical as well as dancing standards. From the very beginning, the English National Ballet Philharmonic has played an important part in creating the magic which is a vital part of every live performance.

The dancers and the musicians do not usually see each other until the dress rehearsal, instead rehearsing separately. However, the conductor will attend as many of the dancers’ rehearsals as possible so they know the tempi at which the ballet should be played. This is not an easy task – each Principal dancer will want his or her solo at a specific speed whilst every other divertissement must be at a consistent tempo so the other dancers know what to expect. The music also guides much of the drama of the productions, and the orchestra has

English National Ballet Philharmonic

a very keen theatrical sense which provides the perfect pace for any scene. They are accompanying silent soloists so they are reliant on the conductor’s beat to synchronise the different aspects of a production. As a result the musicianship and musicality of both dancers and orchestra are allowed to shine in every performance.

The English National Ballet Philharmonic is made up of many of the country’s top musicians, and boasts considerable experience in all forms of music-making. Recent notable events have included galas at both the London Coliseum and Royal Opera House, accompanying visiting ballet companies, appearances in concert (including the Bath and City of London Festivals) and, most recently, providing the music for the Royal Academy of Dance’s children’s ballet syllabus grades. They also play a significant part in the Engagement Department’s school visits and workshops, taking a taste of the music of ballet to tomorrow’s audience.

Gavin Sutherland delivered the best narrative ballet score of the 20th century with considerable aplomb, wringing out every scintilla of the extreme richness of emotion to heighten the drama throughout this outstanding performance’’Londondance.com

Howard J. Legge Second Bassoon and Contrabassoon I started learning the Bassoon aged 11 with Lynda Nealgrove at senior school and continued orchestra and chamber music studies at the Watford School of Music.

After GCSE’s and A levels, I went on to study for four years at the Royal Academy of Music learning Bassoon with Gwydion Brooke, where I was the first recipient of the Florence Woodbridge Competition for Bassoon playing. On leaving the Academy, I started Contrabassoon lessons with John Burness.

In 1984 I joined the English National Ballet Philharmonic, joining the orchestra Committee two years later and carried on to become the orchestra Steward and Health and Safety Adviser for the Musicians Union.

As well as playing Second Bassoon and Contrabassoon in the orchestra, I also have freelance work and teaching and coaching duties at The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School in Elstree and the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra in London

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Photo: 2014 graduates Isabelle Brouwers and Jin Hao Zhang – both now dancing with English National Ballet.

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Dancers: Léa Bridarolli (now dancing with Kale Companhia de Dança, Portugal) and Thomas Edwards (now dancing with Scottish Ballet) in Resmi Malko’s Vocalise. Photo: Bill Cooper

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PerformanceDay after day after day

A little girl called Clara, becomes attached to a Christmas gift – a nutcracker toy, which magically transforms into a prince and takes her on a mysterious journey to an oriental paradise. But why? Decipher the mystery in:

The Original Nutcracker Ballet – A Hidden Allegory

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Le Corsaire

STARRING

Alina Cojocaru as Medora

Vadim Muntagirov as Conrad

Erina Takahashias Gulnare

Dmitri Gruzdyevas Lankendem

Junor Souzaas Ali

Yonah Acostaas Birbanto

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20 May – 3 July 2015CARMENBizet’s

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Emerging DancerSouthbank CentreQueen Elizabeth Hall, London0844 875 007323 Mar 2015

ChoreographicsLilian Baylis Studio,Sadler’s Wells, London0844 412 430019 – 20 June 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakePeacock Theatre, London0844 412 43222 – 12 Apr 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakeLighthouse, Poole0844 406 866618 – 19 Apr 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakeNew Victoria Theatre, Woking0844 871 764525 – 26 Apr 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakePalace Theatre, Manchester0844 871 30192 – 3 May 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakeThe Bristol Hippodrome0844 871 30129 – 10 May 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakeWimbledon Theatre, London0844 871 764615 – 16 May 2015

My First Ballet: Swan LakeCurve Theatre, Leicester0116 242 359522 – 23 May 2015

Performances at-a-glance

To find out more about English National Ballet’s performance schedule and productions visit www.ballet.org.uk

Keep us on our toes

During our last season our dancers got through a staggering 2,860 pairs of pointe shoes – an annual bill of £143,000 for English National Ballet!

We hope watching our dancers perform and rehearse will inspire you to make a contribution to our Pointe Shoe Appeal. Whatever the size of your donation, it will make a really valuable difference and keep our dancers performing to audiences around the UK and beyond.

“Pointe shoes are not just a commodity, they are a necessity... my shoes mean trust and freedom. I can perform safe in the knowledge that my shoes fit me to perfection and will allow me to move in the way I want to. They are the tools of my trade and are always there for me”Tamara Rojo, Artistic Director and Lead Principal

Your gift directly supports our dancers£1,000 20 pairs of pointe shoes for one dancer£500 a month’s allocation of pointe shoes for one dancer£100 two pairs of pointe shoes£50 one pair of pointe shoes£20 contribute towards a pair of pointe shoes£10 contribute towards pointe shoe ribbon or toe tape

How to donateYou can donate in a variety of ways. Please get in touch with us.Phone : 020 7581 1245Online: www.ballet.org.uk/pointeshoeappealPost: You can send a cheque made payable to English National Ballet to:

Pointe Shoe Appeal, Development Office, Markova House, 39 Jay Mews, London SW7 2ES

Your contribution will be acknowledged on our Pointe Shoe Appeal ‘thank you’ page. Should you wish to remain anonymous, simply let us know when you make your donation.

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