Daniel Jones interviewed for "Cupcakes & Conversation ..."

Cupcakes & Conversation with Daniel Jones, Soloist, English National Ballet


Photo : Anthony Crickmay

Jones will be performing Hilarion on the opening night of Giselle in Manchester and various other performances, and will be performing Drosselmeyer in The Nutcracker (dates to be announced).

Jones has his own film production company - Soloistmovies.com.

Jones has been quoted in this article about the life of Patrick Swayze, as we hear the desperately sad news of his death.

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
George, my dog. I take him for a walk, we run around the park and I have time to feel lucky to have a creative life.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
I've been very lucky, and danced with incredible individuals. From experience, I would say it's more fun to dance with people who also want to dance with me.


Daniel Jones - jeté atournee
Photo : Bill Cooper

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
When I'm not performing, I walk the dog, I check my emails, I do some work for Soloist - my video production company, I travel to English National Ballet, I take class, I do the rehearsals, I come home, I walk the dog, I do more work for Soloist, I study, I play my guitar, then I get some sleep.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
God, Leonardo Da Vinci, Shakespeare, Serge Diaghilev, Socrates, and George Carlin.

What would surprise people about you ?
I am teetotal.

Who inspired you to dance ?
When I was 4 years old, my 2 year old brother passed away. It was a very traumatic experience and one of the ways I dealt with it was by throwing myself into dancing. I would often imagine my brother (who I believed was my guardian angel) watched me dance. As I've grown older dancing has become a spiritual experience for me as when I work hard and feel at one with movement, I also feel an inner peace.

How would someone else describe you ?
I think someone else would say "Daniel does things Daniel's way."


Photo : Anthony Crickmay

What is your best piece of advice ?
When you reach the top of the mountain, you are at the bottom of the sky.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
The Chosen One in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's The Rite of Spring. The role was created on Monica Mason, and I was concerned that I would be expected to dance like her. Monica Mason rehearsed me in the role and she was amazing to work with. I felt that she brought out what I had to offer the role and she made me feel confident enough to let myself go completely. Playing the role was an amazing experience that I'm pleased to say I have on video.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
My dog, George, ran into the middle of a football field during a game and went to the toilet on the centre spot. I ran off and left my dog but fortunately he came chasing after me and we ran away from the 22 footballers who were staring at us angrily.


Photo : Patrick Baldwin

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
Something that made me feel confident, comfortable, and unrestricted.

What are you most proud of ?
The moment when a client or an audience see a film I have produced, and they tell me how much they love it.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Me. My favourite films are documentaries and I'm still alive to make it.

What is your favourite quote ?
I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.


Photo : Patrick Baldwin

What’s on your iPod ?
Many documentaries from around the world, enough music to last me a lifetime, and thousands of photographs.

Do you have a secret skill which no one knows about ?
If I tell you, everyone will know.