Cupcakes & Conversation with Erico Montes, The Royal Ballet

Cupcakes & Conversation with Erico Montes, Artist, The Royal Ballet


The Royal Ballet Autumn season begins at the Royal Opera House on 8th October.

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
It can be a rehearsal or a performance of a ballet I particularly enjoy, or class with a guest teacher I really like. A sunny day also does the trick!

Who would you most like to dance with ?
I´ve been very lucky to get to dance with some amazing people so far. I'd like to partner Marianela Nunez, Julie Kent and Alexandra Ansanelli for the quality they bring into whatever they do. I´d also love to dance with the New York City Ballet.

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
During the season a work day will include class, rehearsals, some extra workout (Pilates, Gyrotonics or gym) and the show in the evening.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
I´d invite George Balanchine (whom I´d also ask to cook!), Jerome Robbins, Violette Verdy, Julie Kent, Alexandra Ansanelli and Julia Roberts, hoping she wouldn´t feel too out of place!


What would surprise people about you ?
Perhaps how selfless I can be when needed.

Who inspired you to dance ?
I don´t really know. When I was about 3 years old I used to say I wanted to be a ballet dancer, even though I had never seen any ballet. I guess it was some sort of divine intervention!

How would someone else describe you ?
When I first joined the company I was known as "the boy with a photographic memory”!

What is your best piece of advice ?
To fall in love with your dreams and with what you do every day.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Being in the corps de ballet you get to do a wide range of roles. Some very small roles can be surprisingly challenging, it can be hard to make them feel important and a real part of the whole ballet. The brown skaters in Les Patineurs is a real stamina test, and the Mediterranean Diverts in Ondine Act 3 was a physical and psychological test for me personally!


What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
It´s hard to name a single one, lots of funny things can happen on stage. I guess the funniest things that happened to me must have been while dancing with Tara Bhavnani. We make quite a couple!

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
It would be something simple yet glamorous, flattering and comfortable to dance in. Also something easy to get into since I´m always late getting ready!

What are you most proud of ?
Having come as far as have on my own. I was never anyone´s favourite.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
When I was little people used to say I looked like Macaulay Culkin, which I obviously don´t! But I guess he could play the young me!


What is your favourite quote ?
I´m quite a quotes person! To give one on the spot I’d say:

“When real people fall down in life they get right back up and keep on walking”.

Who can guess where it´s from??!!

What’s on your IPod ?
I have lots of pop music, Sandy&Junior (Brazilian brother and sister I always liked), some classical music and other things. I particularly like Joby Talbot´s “Dying Swan Suite”.

Do you have a secret skill which no one knows about ?
I can bake some delicious Brazilian cheese bread, but it´s hardly a skill since I buy it nearly ready, only have to mix it up and put it in the oven! My real skill is being a great friend, if I may say so myself!!!