The Royal Ballet dancers to perform at famous 8th century abbey

Outdoor ballet performances are a rarity as they are quite tricky to stage, especially in countries with variable weather. Picture, then, some of the dancers from the Royal Ballet performing in the evening light, within the grounds of a famous 8th century abbey in the warmth of Southern France in July.

The abbey - St Marie d’Orbieu

Photograph :  Barry Lewis

Lagrasse, a medieval village of artisans in the Corbières wine region of the south of France, is famous for its 8th century Benedictine abbey – St Marie d’Orbieu.

The programme includes classical and contemporary rep with choreography by Kenneth MacMillan, Wayne McGregor, Will Tuckett and others.

The inaugural event will be held on Saturday 17th July at 21.30, at The Abbey, Lagrasse, Aude, France. Doors open at 20.00 for refreshments in the stunning open air setting and the performance will last for 2 hours.

The participating Royal Ballet dancers are :

Mara Galeazzi
Johannes Stepanek
Edward Watson
James Wilkie
Gary Avis
Steven McRae
Yuhui Choe
Sergei Polunin
Thiago Soares
Lauren Cuthbertson
Ludovic Ondiviela
Marianela Nuñez
David Pickering
Rupert Pennefather

Ticket details will be announced shortly.

In addition to the performance there will be three workshops in French and English, led by David Pickering, assisted by some of the dancers including Ludovic Ondiviela, who is French. The workshops are grouped according to level – so the first one is for beginners, open to all the family with an interest in ballet; the second is an intermediate workshop suitable for children already taking ballet classes; with the final workshop a professional class for aspiring male and female dancers who take ballet classes already. The first two workshops will be held in the Salle de Fêtes, in Lagrasse. For the third, advanced, class, there will be a charge which has yet to be set. Places will need to be reserved on a first come, first served basis and the class will take place on Saturday 17th July. Time and venue TBC. Please contact Emma Noon to reserve a place for the professional class on 00 33 4 68 43 68 60.

Further details and photographs to follow.