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!

A Night Off from Sparkling the Stage to See Sparkles in the Sky!

The company of dancers have worked hard as they approach the half way point of the tour. However they prove to not only work hard, but play hard too! Celebrating a night off in style, as the company headed to Carlisle Castle to their bonfire and firework display.

Remember Remember the 5th of November with some images taken from their night out at the firework display and fun fair in Carlisle!
    
 

Above: Image of some of the Dancers (Left to Right: Luca Varone, Narissa Course, Natalie Cawte, Jesse Milligan,  Jessica Hill, Kesi Olley-Dorey, Julia Davies and Ricardo Pereira)

  

A Girl Can Never Have Enough Shoes!

Every female dancer in the company wears pointe shoes in the production, and can have up to ten pairs of shoes at one time, that they alternate during performances, sometimes several times in a show.

Through out the tour each girl will go through up to 40 pairs of pointe shoes and over 50 meters of ribbon.

Above: A picture of Julia Davies preparing her pointe shoes before a performance of 'The Snow Queen'

    

"A Perfect Remedy for the Dark Nights!"

After a successful start to the tour, we are now into our second month. With the darker nights creeping in there is no better remedy then a trip to the theatre for some magic and glamour.

This week Ballet Theatre UK is heading to three venues starting tomorrow at the Southport Theatre Centre, then The Grand Theatre in Lancaster and finally The Sands Centre, Carlise.

For ticket information or online booking, follow the link below for each theatre;

Southport Theatre Centre - Thurs 3rd Nov at 7.30pm
Tel: 0844 871 3021

The Grand Theatre, Lancaster - Fri 4th Nov at 7.30pm
Tel: 01524 64695

The Sands Centre, Carlise - Sun 6th Nov at 7.30pm
Tel: 01228 625222

 

Above: View from the Balcony at The Grand Theatre, Lancaster

Left: View of the Stalls and Balcony at The Grand Theatre, Lancaster