Last Chance to See BTUK's 'The Snow Queen'!
There are now only 9 performances left to see Ballet Theatre UK's production of The Snow Queen. The production was a new piece created this year by Artistic Director, Christopher Moore. Since the beginning of the tour the company have performed across the country and the feedback, comments and reviews have been wonderful. So don't miss out on the chance to see this original piece of classical ballet.

"glittering costumes...expressive dancers...a pleasure to witness a production of this calibre" 

        -  Dance Europe Magazine              



Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury - Tel: 01635 244246

Fri 16th Dec at 7.30pm

Sat 17th Dec at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Sun 18th Dec at 2.00pm and 5.30pm

Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells - Tel: 01982 552555 

Mon 19th Dec at 7.30pm

Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury - Tel: 01227 769075

 

Tues 20th Dec at 7.45pm

Wed 21st Dec at 2.00pm and 7.45pm

 

 

Follow the links above for online booking or simply call the box office for tickets.

For more information visit the BTUK official website www.BalletTheatre-UK.com

 

  

Meet Another Member of the Company...

As the company prepare for another sell out show tonight, at The Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, Taunton, take this opportunity to get to know a bit more about another company dancer;

Aimee-Louise Cordeaux (Aimee Higgs)

Company Dancer

Born: Southend on Sea, Essex

Trained: Royal Ballet School

First year with BTUK

When did you first start dancing and why?

I first started dancing at the age of two (almost before i could walk) and i did so because my mum also used to dance and sought naturally for me to do the same. 

Have you had any performance nightmares?

Interestingly yes i have had one fairly recently during ‘The Snow Queen’ tour. In cast two i have a quick change into the gypsy girl costume. I somehow managed to put the wig on sideways with the fringe of the wig round the back of my head. To make matters worse, i had minimal grips holding it on. However i didn’t realise that i had made a costume error until i got on stage to find my fellow cast members laughing rather hysterically at my unfortunate mishap. As if i wasn’t struggling enough to hold it together, the wig decided to do a 360degree rotation on my head during a pirouette resulting in me having no choice but to frantically hold onto it! An amusing scenario for all.

What is your pre-show routine?
Before a show i typically do my hair and make-up –quite quickly in most people’s opinion. I then select a suitable pair of pointe shoes depending on what i am dancing in that particular cast and finally i make sure my ankles are feeling very warm as i suffer quite a lot in that department.

What was your favourite place to visit and why?

My favourite place to perform so far has been Tunbridge wells because also it was a raked stage which i personally really don’t like, it was in fact the stage where did my first ballet solo aged four so that was quite surreal for me.

 

What do you do on your days off from the tour?
I always need to rest a lot when i get the chance to, to prevent any injuries. So sleeping, watching t.v, shopping is always good and of course spending time with family, friends and all the important people in my life!

How do you feel about touring life?
Moving from place to place can be adventurous and exciting which keeps you on the ball and the performances fresh but obviously it’s tiring spending time travelling and not always easy to live out of a suitcase!

Aimee is one of three company dancers that dance the role of 'The Snow Queen'. She will be performing the title role next at the Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-Thames at 2.30pm

For ticket information, or online booking, for the performance at the Kenton Theatre follow the link below;

Kenton Theatre, Henley-on-ThamesTel:01491 575698

For other other venues on the tour, follow the link to the main website;
http://www.BalletTheatre-UK.com/

BTUK's Artistic Director To Lecture at 'The Curve'

Ballet Theatre UK's Artistic Director, Christopher Moore, will be giving a lecture this Thursday (8th December) at The Curve Theatre in Leicester.

He will be giving a presentation on touring classical dance within the UK, and the 'pros and cons' of building a ballet company from scratch. The lecture is presented on behalf of the 'Creative Leicestershire Performing Arts Network'.

To find out more about 'Creative Leicestershire Performing Arts Network' or to reserve your seats follow the link below;

www.creativeleicestershire.org.uk

Above : Artistic Director, Christopher Moore
Left: The Cureve Theatre, Leicester

This Weekends Dates and Venues Plus
More Photos Backstage of 'The Snow Queen'

The company have a busy weekend ahead of them with five performances over three venues. For ticket information or online booking, follow the links below;

 

The Leatherhead Theatre Surrey - 2nd Dec 2011 at 7.30pm

Tel: 01372 365141

The Lights, Andover - 3rd Dec 2011 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Tel: 01264 368368

 

Gulbenkian Theatre, Canterbury - 4th Dec 2011 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm
Tel: 01227 769075

For more images from the show, information and venues in your area visit our website

www.BalletTheatre-UK.com

Top left: Julia Davies as Gerda (with female dancers as 'The Flower Lady' and 'The Flowers')
Top Right: Claire Corruble as Gerda and Natalie Cawte as The Snow Queen (with male dancers as 'The Wolves').
Bottom Left: Natalie Cawte as The Snow Queen and Vincent Cabort as Kay.
Bottom Right: Claire Corruble as Gerda and and Vincent Cabort as Kay.

Time Out with the Cast of 'The Snow Queen'

Ballet Theatre UK are about to start their third month of the tour and are now giving you the chance to get to know more about the members of the company. We will be highlighting each member of the company, both dancers and crew, to give you a glimpse into their life with Ballet Theatre UK.

Jessica Hill

Company Dancer

Born: Reading, Berkshire

Trained: Tring Park School of Performing Arts

Second Year with BTUK

Q1: What made you want to dance in a mid-scale company?  

A1: Being in a mid-scale company gives you the opportunity to dance roles which you wouldn’t necessarily get a chance to if you were in a larger company. It’s also like being in a family, as we all grow really close over the season.

Q2: Have you had any audition nightmares?  

A2: Last year I was off dance for around 4 weeks with a nasty virus but wanted to go to an audition for a job in a ballet company. Throughout the audition I saw myself getting paler and paler in the mirror and because I hadn’t danced in 4 weeks I was really off my leg and felt like I could barely stand without swaying. Let’s just say I didn’t get the job and wish I had told them I was ill and therefore missed the audition rather than embarrass myself!

Q3: Which roles in 'The Snow Queen' don’t you perform that you would like to?  

A3: I would love to have a chance to dance the princess in Act 2 because I think this is such a fun role to do especially with all the acting and the plate of cakes. She’s such a spoilt character and we always have a giggle when on stage whether you are playing a lady in waiting, the raven or Gerda this is always a fun scene to dance.

Q4: Which performance did you enjoy the most and why?  

A4: The performance that I have enjoyed the most this season has been the Exeter show because it was such a challenge dancing on a T shaped stage. The back of the stage was a small square and then in front of this was a long stretch of floor making up the front of the stage. We had to spend time re-blocking the show, due to the iregualar shape of the stage, but it went down a storm with the audiance!

Q5: What do you normally do when you are back at home?  

A5: I’ve been permanently living out of a suitcase recently because I’m in the middle of a house move with which there have been a lot of problems, causing my parents and me to live with my nana who was kind enough to take us in. Therefore on my days off I have manicures and go shopping as I will admit I am a bit of a shopaholic. But, very soon we will be into our new home just in time for Christmas.

Q6: Do you have any problems sleeping in a different hotel each night?  

A6: Luckily for me I find it easy sleeping anywhere. When we are on tour we spend each night in a different hotel but after the shows my body is always so exhausted I normally fall asleep within 10 minutes of getting into bed. Whenever we are travelling on the tour bus I have found various positions, some comfy and some not quite so comfy, which I fall asleep again in. Then, if there is a sofa at the theatre a sleep in between shows is always enjoyable. So it’s safe to say I’m definitely not sleep deprived on tour.

Jessica will next be performing in The Snow Queen on Friday 2nd of December at The Leatherhead Theatre, Surrey, where Jessica will feature as a soloist in Act1 pas de Trois.

Work Hard, Play Harder

Ballet Theatre UK have been working hard, on a very intensive schedule. But as they reached the half way point of the this season tour, whilst in Scarborough, they celebrated on the sea front with a night of fun. Proving that they work very hard but can play harder, showing that dancers can not only dance but sing as they hit the karaoke club! Here are some photos from the night out with company and crew of BTUK.

   

 

 

Above: Images taken from night out on the sea front in Scarborough, with various members of the company.

Photos From Backstage whilst on Tour with 'The Snow Queen'

Images taken by company dancer Julia Davies before and during shows whilst away on tour with Ballet Theatre UK.

 

 

Top: Female Villagers (left to right - Natalie Cawte, Julia Davies, Kesi Olley Dorey, Jessica Hill, Kazuka Oike)
Middle Left: Flower Lady and Flowers: (left to right - Kesi Ollet Dorey, Kazuka Oike, Jessica Hill, Julia Davies, Narissa Course)
Middle Right: Female Villagers (left to right - Kazuka Oike, Jessica Hill, Julia Davies, Kesi Olley Dorey)
Bottom Left: Kay and Gerda (Vincent Cabot and Claire Corruble)
Bottom Right: Snow Maidens: Aimee Louise Cordeaux, Kesi Olley Dorey, Julia Davies, Jessica Hill, Kazuka Oike)

Ballet Theatre UK is Heading to London

Ballet Theatre UK arrive in London tomorrow at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon for their London Premier of 'The Snow Queen'. First performance is at 7.45 on the 23rd of November, followed 2.30pm and 7.45pm on the 24th and ending with 7.45 pm on Friday 25th of November.

Book Your Tickets Now!!

To book your tickets, either follow the link below for online booking or details for box office

FairField Halls, London

Tel: 02086 889 291 

Above: Fairfied Halls, Croydon (London Venue)

BTUK Features in 'Dance for You' Magazine

Julia Davies has article published creating a new Ballet with BTUK

Early this year Ballet Theatre UK were proud to announce that Julia Davies (company dancer) had an article publish in renowned dance magazine, 'Dance Europe'. She has now had a new article feature in another dance magazine, ' Dance For You Magazine', this time talking about Ballet Theatre UK and their production of The Snow Queen, "A dancer's point of view of what it is really like to be on tour and to be part of the creation process for a brand new ballet".

Congratulation Julia, and keep up all your hard work both on and off the stage!

The article is in the current issue of Dance For You, Issue No' 1613

You can find out more about 'Dance For You Magazine' by visiting their website  www.danceforyou-magaizne.com

In relating news, Ballet Theatre UK were also featured in an article in 'Dance Europe' written by former company dancer, Diarmaid O'Meara, published in this months issue. He talks about 'mid-scale but mighty' dance companies.

You can find out more about 'Dance Europe' by visiting their website

www.danceeurope.net

Behind the Scenes with the BTUK Company
Karen Smithson - Sport Therapist

Ballet Theatre UK's resident sport therapist Karen Smithson, joins the company whilst on their five performance stint at the Theatre Royal , Bury St Edmunds.

Karen is on hand to cater to the dancers by supporting them through their physical stresses. She maintains their fitness using massage therapy and deep tissue massage.

Left: Karen, mid treatment with a male dancers from the company, between performances at Bury St Edmunds.

Back Stage at

Bury St Edmunds...

We are now into our second of five shows at The Theatre Royal at Bury St Edmunds, and whilst here we have taken a couple of snapshots from the wings to give you a glimpse of the production, characters and costumes.

Top: Natalie Cawte as 'The Snow Queen'   Middle Left: Kazuka Oike and Ricardo Pereira as 'Gerda and Kay', Middle Right: Julia Davies as 'Gypsy Girl'    Bottom Left: Amiee-Louise Cordeaux as 'Flower' Bottom Right: Vincent Cabort as 'The Wolf'

Cast and Crew Enjoy Well Deserved Feedback from our Fantastic Audiences

The company is currently in the middle of a heavy two week schedule away from home, and really do appreciate all the lovely comments from our audiences.

Here are a few that have been sent this week!

"Hi Ballet Theatre-UK! I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your production of The Snow Queen in Swansea last night, it was fantastic and the costumes were amazing! I saw on the back of the beautifully presented programme was that Sleeping Beauty would be coming this spring and after such a wonderful performance last night, my mind is set on going to see your company again! Thank you."

  

    - Miss L Rees, Swansea

"Congrats to all involved! I came to see your production of the Snow Queen and all i can say is WOW! Absolutely stunning, from the costumes, the set and most of all the dancing! I particularly loved the

portrayal of Gerda, who really told the story, emotive

and captivating and took us all on her journey. A great

ballet company with a really professional finish, can't

wait for the spring and Sleeping Beauty! Best of luck for

the rest of the tour!"

  

   -Mr McDonnough, Swansea

"My daughter, granddaughter and I saw your performance last night at Monmouth and I just want to say that we thought it was brilliant. As well as beautiful dancing, the casts communication with the audience was excellent, the set and costume design  was fabulous and we had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Thank you all."

  

   - Mrs Rontree, Monmouth

Images whilst on tour, blocking on stage in various Theatres

Top to bottom: Narissa Course and Ricardo Pereira (Swansea Grand Theatre), Kazuka Oike (Barrow Forum), Natalie Cawte and Vincent Cabort (Barrow  Forum) and Narissa Course (Swansea Grand Theatre).

 

Take a Peek into The Snow Queen's Warbrobe

When creating a new production such as The Snow Queen, something that Ballet Theatre UK prides its self on is its ability to design and create a full set of brand new costumes. Christopher Moore, artistic director, leads the team of costumes designers and makers to produce over 80 costumes and headdresses each season, giving each production not only a new fresh vibe but also the wow factor.

I caught up with one of the design team as they came to see the production at Swansea;

"...this season has been enjoyable from the start to finish to design and make. Chris had a strong vision of how he wanted the show to look, which was a great inspiration...a great highlight for me was when the lights came up in the snow palace, seeing the snow maidens glitter and sparkle and hearing the children gasp in amazement, it was beautiful..." 

  

Here are some images taken from the dressing rooms, at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton to give you and insight of the costumes for the production.



Top: Glimpse at the Snow Maidens Tutu's

Above: Selection of costumes for some of the female dancers.

Left: Selection of Mens Villagers Jackets

Bottom: Selection of headdress for male characters. (Reindeer, Wolves and Raven)

To keep upto date with more news and images backstage join us on Facebook!