Natalie Cawte interviewed for "Cupcakes & Conversation ..."

Cupcakes & conversation with Natalie Cawte, Professional Dancer

Natalie is about to start work with the UK’s newest classical ballet company, Ballet Theatre UK.



What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
I'm quite a cheerful and happy person so Monday mornings are no different to any other morning. I always look forward to my week ahead and the challenges that it may bring.

What are you looking forward to about joining Ballet Theatre UK ?
Joining Ballet Theatre UK will bring me lots of different opportunities. I am looking forward to working with a new director and new artists. As we will be touring - I love the experience of performing at new venues and visiting different places. Most of all I am excited about furthering my career and getting the buzz of performing on stage again.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
Purely for the fun of it - Dick Van Dyke. When I watched him dance in Mary Poppins, he always seemed to have so much fun and was very entertaining to watch.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
After trying various methods, I now try to do very little to my pointe shoes, as I find they last a bit longer. I start off by sewing the ribbons and elastics in place, I then burn the ends of the ribbons to stop them from fraying. Before I wear them for the first time I soften the block by either lightly standing on them or shutting them in a door jam. I then bend the backs of the shoe gently with my hands.



What is your daily routine at the moment ?
As I am currently in between contracts, I try to travel to London as much as I can during the week to take class. So my day would begin with an early start, followed by a 2 hour train journey. Once in London I take an advanced/professional class which lasts for 1 hour and a half. Sometimes afterwards I try to catch up with friends and the latest gossip!!

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
I would invite - David Beckham, Julie Andrews, Simon Cowell, Robert Lindsay, Judy Garland and Anton Du Beke.

What would surprise people about you ?
That I am actually not as quiet as I seem and I worry about everything. Also I have to admit that I know all the dialogue and lyrics to the Sound of Music off by heart!!

Who inspired you to dance ?
My first serious local dance teacher Mel, who identified my talent and helped me to develop my technique and focus on a career in dance. I was very lucky as she was very encouraging and supportive.

How would someone else describe you ?
I asked someone this question and they come back with - fun loving, kind and caring.



What is your best piece of advice ?
Never give up on your dreams and always give 100% at all times.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Whilst working with Ballet Central, a jazz piece was choreographed on 3 other dancers and I, called 'Let Yourself Go' by Phillip Aiden. This role was definitely a tester. It was a very demanding piece which went on for about 6 minutes - so it was pretty hard going on the stamina. It included lots of difficult lifts and fancy footwork. Obviously being trained in classical ballet made it a challenge for all of us.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
I was once in a posh restaurant in London, the waitress came to take our orders but I had a fit of the giggles, which set everyone else of laughing and unfortunately nobody could give the waitress their order. It took about 10 minutes before everybody stopped laughing. It was very embarrassing for us and the waitress.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
Traditional tutus are my favourite, so I would have to say it would be a tutu based design, as I think these are very elegant and flattering.



What are you most proud of ?
I am proud of all my achievements in life so far, but most recently I'm proud of passing my driving test at the first attempt.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
Sandra Bullock - for no other reason than she is one of my favourite actresses.

What is your favourite quote ?
"Success is felt in the heart, not measured by money and power. So be true to yourself and achieve the goals you set."

Do you have a "signature step" - one that comes more easily to you ?
I’m not sure if it’s a signature step, but a favourite move of mine and one that I feel is my best would be a Grand Jeté.

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
My dad has always said to me that I am a natural comedian and a good mimic..... But I'm not so sure about that!!

Leanne Cope interviewed for "Cupcakes & Conversation ..."

Cupcakes & Conversation with Leanne Cope, First Artist, The Royal Ballet

Leanne has recently been promoted to First Artist.

The Royal Ballet’s Autumn season opens with Mayerling at the Royal Opera House from 8th October.

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
I find Monday morning is the easiest day to get motivated as it is starting afresh. You can approach your work with a new eye - having had a day off you see things differently.

What are you looking forward to dancing next season ?
We don't know the casting in advance for next season yet, but a role I very much enjoyed dancing was Princess Louise in Mayerling so it would be lovely to come back to that if I am lucky enough to be cast. There are so many wonderful ballets coming up next season like Concerto and Elite Syncopations, it would be a privilege to be involved. I also always enjoy getting involved with draft works.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
There are so many wonderful male dancers in our Company but my ultimate choice would be Jonathan Cope. He was and still is an amazing partner and actor. I was lucky enough to have watched him dance in A Month In The Country in Cuba on tour this summer - it was a very special show. (Jonathan Cope has retired from dancing.)



How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
First of all I decide which shoe will be the Left and Right, then I shellac the blocks and leave them for a week or so to harden. Sewing ribbons and elastics comes next, and finally breaking them in and bashing them on a concrete slab so that I don't sound too much like an elephant.

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
Once I arrive at work I go straight to the dressing room to get changed for class and have a gossip with the girls. Then throughout the day we have class and rehearsals which usually finish at 5.30. The shows generally start at 7.30 until 10.30. I leave the Opera House at 11.00pm and make my way home for a cup of tea and bed.

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Jamie Oliver, Judy Garland, Prince Charles, Coco Chanel, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Dawn French.

What would surprise people about you ?
I’ve zip lined over 1000 ft off the Great Wall of China over a lake.

Who inspired you to dance ?
John Travolta. As a child I used to watch Grease back to back and sing and dance along so my parents sent me to dance classes. But as I grew up and become more interested in ballet I would say my inspiration was Sarah Wildor.

How would someone else describe you ?
Happy go lucky (according to my Dad).

What is your best piece of advice ?
Life is too short - make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
I was fortunate enough to be chosen to learn Juliet’s potion scene (from Romeo & Juliet) for a masterclass that was filmed for the ROH website. I only found out the night before so I did not have much time to prepare. It was only an hour long and taken by Lesley Collier - a privilege in itself. I tried to absorb everything she said. To take on such an iconic role and perform under the pressure of knowing the cameras will catch every blink of your eye was incredibly testing but so far a real highlight of my career.

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
Many funny things have happened to me over the years but I guess if you are not here they don’t seem so funny, but even when things go wrong I try to find the funny side.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
Something very feminine, maybe an empire line with the skirt made of chiffon so it moves with you, probably navy blue and some beading detail on the bodice.

What are you most proud of ?
My Family.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
I absolutely love musicals so I think it would have to be a Disney film so I would be a cartoon.


Leanne Cope as Princess Louise in Mayerling with Martin Harvey (who has since left the Company and leads the cast of Dirty Dancing)

What is your favourite quote ?
"The more I practice the luckier I get."

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
I love to sing but whether it is skilful or not you will have to ask my nearest and dearest.

Leanne trained for five years at White Lodge, the Royal Ballet Lower School based in Richmond Park, Surrey, and I asked her some questions about her time there :

"I had the most wonderful time at White Lodge though it did take me a very long time to decide whether to take my place. I was very lucky to have experienced two great directors of the school - Dame Merle Park and Gailene Stock. Over the years I made many of my closest friends and still work with many of them now. We had a very well rounded education in academics and dance as we were introduced to many different types of dance including tap and contemporary. The most special thing about White Lodge was the fact that you are surrounded by people that have the same passions as you and that brings the best out of everyone."

What did you enjoy about performing at the Open Days outside on the lawn ?
Performing is what it is all about so when we did get the chance to perform it was a really big deal especially if it was on the lawn as we knew people were expecting us to be perfect. It was also a chance for our parents to watch us which made the events even more special.

How did you feel studying in such an historic building ?
White Lodge is such a beautiful building and full of character. The dorms I lived in over the years have been in the old chapel, the billiard room, and the stables but now the building has had a makeover and they have built new dorms. Knowing that most of the ballerinas of the Royal Ballet had studied in the same studios was an inspiration. There is also a collection of all of the past school photographs & we used to hunt through and spot our favourite dancers while standing in line for the canteen.

What was your first pointe class like ?
I remember it very clearly, I was so excited as I had not been on pointe before I went to White Lodge. The heating had broken in the studio so we were allowed to keep our tracksuits on. I got hot very quickly and suddenly felt really ill so I had to go to the nurse and missed the first official pointe class. But when I did eventually do my first pointe class I felt like a proper ballerina.

What did you like about being based in Richmond Park ?
Richmond Park is beautiful and I often walk and cycle in there before stopping in Pembroke Lodge for tea and cake. We didn’t explore the Park too much but we did do cross country around Pen Ponds.

Did you get the opportunity to visit Richmond and the surrounding area ?
We used to go to Sheen on Saturdays to buy our tuck - usually a pick and mix from Woolworths. Though when we were in year eleven we were allowed to go to Richmond we felt extremely grown up; Roehampton Asda was also very popular with White Lodge pupils.

What did you dance at the Richmond Fair on The Green ?
Over the years I danced a variety of dances from Appalachian clog dancing to Spanish. In my first year I danced a Greek dance as the heavens opened !

Who inspired you at White Lodge ?
I was much inspired by the girls in the years above me as you could see them making progress and see hopefully the progress you would make over the years. Though when they took us to the Opera House to watch the Royal Ballet the dancers that inspired me were Sarah Wildor and Belinda Hatley.

What do you remember about your audition to White Lodge ?
I remember driving up to Richmond Gate not having been to the Park before and my Dad saying shall we go right or left ? I chose right which was the long way round ! Once I arrived I was given the number 19 which was and still is my lucky number. Other than that, I remember running around the garden in the sunshine with all the other girls who I would grow up with for the next five years. Oh and of course there was some ballet.

Any advice for aspiring ballet dancers ?
Ballet is a way of life so you have to be very passionate about it if you want to do it as a career but if you are doing it as a hobby just have fun - dancing can make you and the people watching you very happy.

The Royal Ballet Swan Lake

Tchaikovsky - Swan Lake (The Royal Ballet)

It's unheard of for me to recommend a recording of a ballet performance but, as unlikely as it seems, there is very good reason to commend this one to you.

When the curtains go up, you are right there, in among the dancing, just hovering slightly above the centre stage. The scenery looks delicious on-screen, all blood red, black and gold with just the right amount of sparkle to catch your eye, contrasting diamond bright in the White Acts.

The excellent camerawork ensures that you don’t miss an entrance or any of the action - the detail of movement, of interaction between characters, the close-up shots, the action all around the stage. If you habitually sit in the Gods then this is the tape for you !

Who would want to miss the perfect partnering of Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera's effervescent Neapolitan dance, and the precision and timing of Stephen McRae's thrilling leaps with Laura Morera and Yuhui Choe in the Pas de Trois ?

Marianela Nuñez and Thiago Soares dazzle & dance the Principal roles of Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried respectively. Nunez' flashing eyes watch Soares closely and her smile, when it comes, lights up the National Grid.

And that's not all - how about the Polonaise and the Waltz, or Bennet Gartside and Kristen McNally's Czárdás ? Helen Crawford and Francesca Filpi are regal as the Two Swans, and Bethany Keating, Iohna Loots, Emma Maguire and Romany Pajdak are beguiling Cygnets.

Even if you don't see them dance regularly, many of the cast will be familiar to you here from my recent interviews and I hope you can now enjoy watching them dance.

There are extras with the DVD :

Illustrated synopsis.
Cast gallery.
Interview with Anthony Dowell.
Four Swan Queens - Exclusive 30-minute conversation on the demands of dancing the role of the Swan Queen with former Prima Ballerinas Dame Beryl Grey, Dame Monica Mason, Lesley Collier and current principal Marianela Nuñez.

And the technical details :

CAT NO: OA1015D
FORMAT: All Formats
REGIONS: All Regions
PICTURE FORMAT: 16:9
LENGTH: 179 Mins
SOUND: HALF DTS 2.0 / 5.1
SUBTITLES: FR/DE/ES/IT (extra features only)
RELEASED: 01/09/2009
NO OF DISCS: 1

The DVD is available from other retailers; however Opus Arte are the label and my copy came from them.

Royal Ballet to premiere new works at “A Dream of Africa” Gala night later this month

Mara Galeazzi
Photo : Viacheslav Samodurov

Following my recent post about the "A Dream of Africa" Gala night later this month, the dancers from The Royal Ballet will be performing :

Mara Galeazzi & Gary Avis - Concerto pas de deux (MacMillan)

The Dream pas de deux (Ashton) (dancers TBA)

Birthday Offering pas de deux (Ashton) (dancers TBA)

Premiere pas de deux by Liam Scarlett (with Emma Maguire + TBA)

Premiere short ballet by Erico Montes

Premiere short ballet by Samantha Raine

A recent pas de trois by Vanessa Fenton set to Mendelssohn's Song Without Words for cello & piano

Please note that casting is subject to change

Please use the link to my earlier post for booking details and further information about the dancers involved.

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!!!

Isabella McGuire Mayes - back to St Petersburg for a new year

Isabella at the Queen's Birthday Party at the British Consulate in St Petersburg - as the only British girl at the Vaganova Ballet Academy. Met the British Ambassador to Moscow and some very interesting Russians. June 2009

We first met Isabella McGuire Mayes in July, when she had been short-listed in the Great Britons competition run by British Airways. Thanks to your generosity in voting, Izzy won the competition. Izzy’s transport costs to and from the school will now be fully met, and becoming a Great Briton has rewarded Izzy in other ways, as she talks about in this interview.


Ballet Class Nov 2008

On the eve of Izzy’s return to Russia to continue her training at the legendary Vaganova Academy in St Petersburg, I caught up with her to talk about Darcey Bussell, making films and training just the same as an Olympic athlete.

What made you audition for the Vaganova Academy in St Petersburg ?
I knew that the school had a reputation going back nearly three hundred years. I was inspired by its history and the fact that Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker were all created there.

But when you know a place has produced generations of really wonderful dancers like (Anna) Pavlova, (Rudolf) Nureyev and (Mikhail) Baryshnikov - so many. Well it is inspiring. You get a buzz wondering if some of it will rub off on you.

You know the training works and that you have every chance and that it's up to you. I was first taken to see the school when I was only 13 by a Vaganova teacher who had been giving me lessons in England since I was 8. I loved the atmosphere in St Petersburg from the very beginning.

I was offered an audition just as I was about to go into the Upper School of The Royal Ballet School. It seemed such an honour to be offered the chance to go there. I still feel like that.


With fellow students in the Vaganova Academy Nov 2008

What have you enjoyed so far about your Russian training ?
I have always loved them and admired the way they do things and always wanted to take in every word of wisdom they give. I love just being near them and getting the benefit of their experience.

Which professional dancer/s do you most admire and why ?
(Uliana) Lopatkina who I saw in London this Summer, but I have also seen her on stage at the Mariinsky (Theatre – home of the Mariinsky, formerly Kirov, ballet company). I admire her because of her amazing artistic performances and abilities. (Diana) Vishneva because she is now superb and I know she had to work really, really hard to get to where she is now - one of the best ballerinas in the world. Sylvie Guillem because she is very distinctive and independent - and because my physique is quite similar to hers I look up to her. Darcey Bussell because I've watched her since I was a child and she's a great British role model.


Character Class correction Nov 2008

How do you fill your time when you are not dancing ?
I make films and love watching films, swimming and seeing friends.

Do you have a 'signature step' – one that you find comes more naturally to you ?
No, they are all hard work. Some things are easier than others like pirouettes - but generally speaking it's all very difficult. You've got to work hard all the time to get things right.

Have you had the opportunity to dance on stage with the Company yet ?
No not with the Company but the school does various shows at the Mariinsky Theatre during the year and they are open to the public which is very exciting. They are with the Mariinsky orchestra and the same costumes and scenery as the Company which is fantastic. The next one is The Nutcracker for a few days - everyone looks forward to that.

What is a typical day for your when you are training ?
My ballet class is at 9.20 until 11am. Russian language class follows. Then lunch. Then maybe pointe class, solos, character, & then possibly a rehearsal.


Isabella in school portrait. Nov 2008

What difference will it make to you now that you have won the Great Britons competition ?
The biggest difference is that you can concentrate on your work without worrying so much. The total cost of my training in Russia is about the same as an Olympic athlete in training - so support from others becomes crucial after a while. Winning Great Britons with its bursary for my transport to and from school - was just fantastic. Winning Great Britons also attracted other sponsors and my training in school is now supported by The Slater Foundation who supported Tim Henman at the start of his career. A gentleman from the Worshipful Company of Scriveners in the City of London has also been in touch because he loves St Petersburg and the ballet and he is going to keep me in pointe shoes during my training. The support from people, and all the encouraging comments I got during the Great Britons competition, is wonderful and gives you extra energy for what you are doing.

What is your dream role once you have graduated ?
My all time favourite role I would love to dance one day would be Odette/Odile Swan Lake. I also absolutely adore La Bayadère. Nikiya (the Temple Dancer).


Resting after rehearsing the principal variation from Paquita
March 2009

In the first of her regular diary entries for us, Izzy writes :

Tomorrow, Saturday September 5th I go back to St Petersburg. I have got a new rug for my room in the hostel in Rossi Street and I am feeling pretty excited about getting down to work again in Russia and meeting friends.

There's going to be a Highlife Magazine photographer at Terminal 5 Heathrow - from the British Airways Great Britons competition - because I am now one of their winners. It's going to be pretty early and so looking reasonable is going to take an extra effort!

It will be a very tough year ahead. Let you know how it goes.


Izzy's early morning depature for St Petersburg

DANCE CHARITY GALA - Begoña Cao & Friends

I interviewed Begoña this summer and you can read her insightful, funny and clever interview with stunning photographs here.

To book tickets for the Gala, please click here.

Arts Council England announces new national leadership team

Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives.

As the national development agency for the arts, we support a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts.

Great art inspires us, brings us together and teaches us about ourselves, and the world around us. In short, it makes life better.

Between 2008 and 2011, we will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.

Arts Council England announced on 1st September 2009 the members of its new Executive Board – the streamlined national leadership team that will lead the re-structured organisation from April 2010.


Alan Davey

The nine-strong team is led by Chief Executive Alan Davey and consists of four National and four Area Executive Directors. They are:

- Alison Cole – Executive Director, Communications
- Laura Dyer – Area Executive Director Midlands and South West
- Althea Efunshile – Chief Operating Officer
- Anupam Ganguli – Executive Director Resources
- Andrew Nairne – Executive Director Arts
- Moira Sinclair – Area Executive Director London
- Andrea Stark – Area Executive Director East and South East
- To be announced – Area Executive Director North

Recruitment of a permanent Area Executive Director North is already underway and Andy Carver – currently Regional Executive Director Yorkshire – will undertake the role in the interim.


Alison Cole

With the exception of Alison Cole, who joins the Arts Council in November, all members of the new Executive Board will take up their new roles in a designate capacity from September 2009. They will focus on setting up their new teams as well as carrying out the responsibilities of their existing regional and national executive director roles.

To ensure a smooth transition, all existing Regional Executive Directors will continue in their current roles until the new structure is established. Recruitment to this new structure is likely to be complete by Christmas 2009.

Alan Davey, Chief Executive of Arts Council England said:
“Establishing our new leadership group is an important first step in the transformation of the Arts Council.

“We’ve got a huge number of changes underway in how we go about our work, and the new Executive Board will lead those changes with vigour and a commitment to the values of openness, trust and respect in the way we work with others.

“I am proud of the way staff at all levels are tackling the changes with maturity and a continued commitment to our mission of enabling art in this country to be the best it can be, experienced by more people.”

Royal Ballet dancers to perform in 'A Dream of Africa'

NEWS RELEASE


Mara Galeazzi
Photo : Viacheslav Samodurov

Dancers from The Royal Ballet, including Mara Galeazzi, Emma Maguire, Pietra Mello-Pitman, Gary Avis and Liam Scarlett, are lending their support to small London charity, Ashanti Development, by taking part in ‘A Dream of Africa,’ a Gala Evening held in celebration of the lives of Martin Luther King and Barack Obama.

‘A Dream of Africa’ will be held on Sunday 27 September 2009 at 7.30pm at the Royal College of Music’s Britten Theatre. All money raised will help tackle extreme poverty in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, and bring clean water to Ashanti villages.


Mara Galeazzi and Gary Avis
Photo : Bill Cooper

Martha Boadu, Ashanti Development Trustee, says: “The election of Barack Obama brought enormous hope to Africans, and Ashanti Development is helping to turn that hope into reality. We aim to bring clean water, healthcare and help with education and economic development to over 15,000 villagers over the next two years.”

The Gala will include new choreography, dream dances and instrumental music.
The final appeal will be made by Ashanti Development patron, Frank Dobson MP.

Booking details :

The Gala will be held at The Britten Theatre, Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, London SW7 2BS

Music will be played by Robert Gibbs, Adrian Bradbury, Oliver Davies and Henry Roche.

Tickets £28 (£1 p&p) available from Ashanti Development, 21 Downing Court, Grenville Street, London WC1N 1LX
Tel: 0207 837 3172

Melissa Hamilton interviewed for "Cupcakes & conversation ..."

Cupcakes & conversation with Melissa Hamilton, First Artist, The Royal Ballet



Melissa Hamilton has recently been promoted and you can see her dance the role of Mary Vetsera in Mayerling on Tuesday, October 27 at 7.30pm. (Please note that casting is subject to change). The Autumn season begins from 8th October at the Royal Opera House.

What motivates you at 8am on a Monday morning ?
That it's the start of a new week, anything could happen and there's still so much I want to do.

What are you looking forward to dancing next season ?
I start off my season with dancing the role of Mary Vetsera in MacMillan's Mayerling which I am dying to get working on. Last season all my big roles were in contemporary works in Triple Bills so I am looking forward to dancing a lead role in a three-act ballet and people seeing a different side to me. Though, The Royal Ballet has such an expansive repertoire that the thought of what lies ahead at the beginning of the season is in itself something to look forward to.

Who would you most like to dance with ?
Someone who I respect and feel inspired by, however, the role would greatly affect my choice because the ideal partner for one ballet may not suit another.

How do you prepare your pointe shoes ?
I sew ribbons and one set of elastic to sit across the arch of the foot and cut the satin off the platform. I wear Grishko's which tend to be made very hard so I like to hammer, bend and manipulate the shoes until I break the block down in certain places so they fit to the shape of my foot. I also "bash" them to minimize the noise they create. I never shellac a new pair of pointe shoes.


Photo : Andrej Uspenski

What is your daily routine at the moment ?
Generally throughout the season I wake about 8am, have breakfast and walk to the Opera House, as my apartment is close. I like to warm up for at least 45 minutes before the 1hr15 morning class at 10.30am. Rehearsals begin at 12pm and run throughout the day until 6.30pm and 5.30pm when we have an evening performance. No two days are ever the same and I much prefer when my schedule is busy!

You can ask six famous people to dinner - who would you invite ?
Derren Brown; Lee Evans; Marco Pierre White; Jack Nicholson; Christian Louboutin; Penelope Cruz.

What would surprise people about you ?
How incredibly superstitious I am and that I write lists for just about everything.

Who inspired you to dance ?
When I first started ballet it was purely as an after school hobby. In Northern Ireland there is little to no exposure to classical ballet so I never had enough insight to be inspired. Therefore it was purely my Mum's desire to keep me occupied that started me dancing.

How would someone else describe you ?
It would probably differ a lot depending on who you were to ask though most people would be likely to agree with stubborn, determined and strong minded.

What is your best piece of advice ?
Become self reliant as early in your life as you can.

Which role has tested you the most & how ?
Probably the principal role I danced last season in Christopher Wheeldon's DGV (Danse à grande vitesse). I was originally covering the role but due to injuries I ended up dancing it with both Rupert Pennefather and Gary Avis. With both there wasn't as much time as I would have liked to rehearse, especially with Gary as we had one rehearsal the afternoon before the first performance we did together. The role had been created on Darcey Bussell towards the end of her career, so to step into her shoes when I was just starting out on mine was in itself a test for me.


Photo: Andrej Uspenski

What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you ?
It didn't happen to me but was a situation I was involved in a few years ago when I was going up an escalator with a friend. We both had two suitcases but she couldn't quite manage hers on the steps and both toppled down. However, in her panic she didn't let go so fell with them. Once she reached the bottom she couldn't quite orientate herself enough to grab hold of something to stand up, so was rolling as the steps kept coming out and rising up. No-one else was on the escalator at the time. I'm sure myself trying to run down an upward moving escalator, whilst laughing hysterically with my friend rolling around at the bottom really must have been a comical sight.

If you designed your own stage costume, what would you create ?
I adore tutus, so would love to create a flattering, comfortable bodice with a skirt that had a long enough diameter to compliment my proportions. It would also have sleeves which I always find look very feminine.

What are you most proud of ?
More than anything my family but also that I am doing something in my life that I was told by so many people that I would never be able to achieve.

Who would play you in the film of your life ?
That would be a difficult one to call as I don't know of very many well known actresses that can pull off the Northern Irish accent too convincingly. I just hope that once I've lived my life it will be worthy enough of being put on screen!

What is your favourite quote ?
What will be, will be.

Do you have a secret skill which no-one knows about ?
Unfortunately not one that I even know of.