Daria Klimentová interviewed

Cupcakes & conversation with Daria Klimentová, Senior Principal Dancer, English National Ballet


Daria prepares for the final act of Manon
Photo : P.Lapetra

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
If I’m dancing with Friedemann, then Friedemann Vogel. If not, then coffee from Starbucks.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
I have already danced with Irek Mukhamedov and Carlos Acosta so it’s only Friedemann Vogel now, a Principal from Stuttgart Ballet.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
I wear Grishko. They are made especially for my feet, so I don’t have to do much, except sew the ribbons, the edges of the actual pointe shoe, and later on I use shellac to make them even harder- but they last forever.


Daria in Manon with Friedemann Vogel
Photo : P.Lapetra

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
At the moment I’m in Prague organising International Ballet Masterclasses for students and professional dancers from all over the world. So I’m in the studios from 10am - 5pm, teaching, making sure everyone is happy, doing class and rehearsing myself. Then I get home and I’m Mum to my Sabina.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Matt Damon, Madonna, Jack Nicholson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Johnny Depp & Meryl Streep.


Daria in Manon with Friedemann Vogel
Photo : P.Lapetra

What would surprise people about you ?
How much I actually care, how much I get stressed, and how much I don’t like people watching me when I dance.

Who inspired you to dance ?
Czech ballerina Hana Vlacilova, Russian ballerina Ekaterina Maximova and now Diana Vishneva.

How would someone else describe you ?
I have no idea, no-one actually knows me, they all know a bit of me.

What is your best piece of advice ?
Love each other, care about each other, enjoy what you have, nothing lasts forever.


Daria in Manon with Friedemann Vogel
Photo : P.Lapetra

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Marguerite in The Lady of the Camellias. I was 19, there was a lot of acting, I was inexperienced, and I guess I passed the test. Czech TV filmed it but if I did it now, it would be different.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
I don’t know, it’s hard to describe. I have fallen over many times during the show. It’s usually funny for others who see it but not so much for you.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
I would create the perfect tutu, in which I would feel very feminine, sexy and slim and I could move very freely in it.

What are you most proud of ?
That I didn’t give up ballet every time I wanted to. That I can do other things too, not just dancing.


Daria with her daughter, Sabina

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Meryl Streep

What is your favourite quote ?
Dance like no one is watching.

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
Well I’m not going to tell you that...:)