For Your Enjoyment...Highlights from Ballet Theatre UK's new production of A Christmas Carol

Natalie Cawte as The Ghost of Christmas Past

Sarah Mortimer -  Shopping Variation 

Images from Ballet Theatre UK's New Production of 'A Christmas Carol'

Photography by Daniel Hope

Joseph Mackie Graves as Jacob Marley

Ines Ferreira, Helena Casado Cortes
Phantom Waltz (Claire Corruble as Ghost of Christmas Past)

Helena Casado Cortes and Luca Varone
Young Scrooge and Belle Pas de Deux

Claire Corruble, Julia Davies and Helena Casado Cortes
Fezziwig Sisters Pas de Trois

Julia Davies and David Brewer
Young Scrooge and Sister Pas de Deux

A Ballet To Raise The Spirits...

Joseph Mackie Graves as Jacob Marley - Ballet Theatre UK's 'A Christmas Carol' Autumn 2012

Meet the Cast of 'A Christmas Carol'...

To mark the start of this seasons tour i am proud to introduce you to the company of Ballet Theatre UK's latest production...A Christmas Carol.

Top Row: Jessica Hill, Luca Varone, Helena Casado Cortes, Kazuka Oike.
Middle Row: Ines Ferreria, Julia Davies, David Brewer, Sarah Mortimer.
Bottom Row: Claire Corruble, Vincent Cabot, Natalie Cawte, Joseph Mackie Graves.

For all the latest...

The last few days have seen a flurry of activity for Ballet Theatre UK's Director, Dancers and Friends. Over three days, the International group of dancers have descended on Hinckley, to settle into new flats, seek out local amenities, and make an impression on the locals before the start of the new season tomorrow. 

In the spirit of new beginnings, apart from moving to our new home in Hinckley, we also welcome three new dancers, Ines, Sarah and Joseph. Tomorrow sees the first day of rehearsals for our brand new production of 'A Christmas Carol,' and last night saw a British TV History 'First' - the first person to win £1.5 million on a TV gameshow, aided by our own Kazuka Oike's turning expertise, when she performed on itv's 'Red or Black.' 

What a lot of news to report! And just to think, we haven't even begun the season yet! Follow company news here on the blog, as we report all the 'Firsts' that are coming up very soon!

Ballet Theatre UK in a nail-biting final of ITV's 'Red or Black?'

Ballet Theatre UK Company Dancers Kazuka Oike and Kesi Olley Dorey will appear on this Saturday's episode of Simon Cowell's hit TV show 'Red or Black.' The show is presented by Ant and Dec, and follows contestants through a number of rounds in which they must bet on one of two possible outcomes. In this case, they had to decide which ballerina could execute the most fouettés: Would it be home-grown Kesi Olley Dorey, or Japan's Kazuka Oike?

At stake was a momentous prize of £1.5 million and a life changing opportunity for one contestant, so there was no room for error. Our dancers lined up to spin, with Ronan Keating singing a live accompaniment, but accustomed to the pressure, they did us proud.

Tune in on Saturday 8th September at 7.25pm to see which one of our Dancing Queens was the victor, and whether the Berkshire Father-of-three went all the way...

Pointe Shoes. They have a tough life.

We buy them brand new and beautiful. Uniformly they sit in a box or bag, waiting for the necessary care and attention which will see them prepared and customised for their moment of glory on the stage. Patiently they journey with us up and down the country, enduring the sewing of ribbons and elastics. Bravely they endure being hacked and cut and shaved down with Stanley knives. They do not complain as they are bashed unceremoniously on concrete floors, or as they are stood on, bent, and beaten into the desired shape, for they know that their triumph is coming...

Their glory is short-lived. Perhaps for several special days they will be in favour; chosen for performances, even pas de deux, if they are lucky. They will help to hold balances, feel the excitement of doing multiple turns and enjoy the sound of rapturous applause. Dancers will pronounce: 'I love this pair!'

Yet before long, they will hear the fatal words: 'These shoes feel a bit soggy.' They will be removed, and replaced by a younger version of themselves. They might languish for weeks at the bottom of a dance bag, or immediately suffer the humiliating removal of their ribbons and elastics, that they might go on to serve another pair.

Yet even as they lie abandoned in a dressing room bin, they can look back to their finest hours and be glad that they have fulfilled their life's purpose. 'I was a Rose Adagio shoe, you know - Spring Tour 2012...wonderful times.'

To improve the life of a pointe shoe near you, donate to The Red Shoe Campaign.

www.gofundme.com/RedShoeAppeal
www.BalletTheatreUK.com

Take a break from the summer heat for a Christmas treat, as Ballet Theatre UK prepare for ballet to raise the spirits...

 



St Mary's Church - Hinckley



A New Season, New Home, New Look...

Plans for our new production of 'A Christmas Carol' are well underway, with costume production in full swing, a fantastic score taking shape and visions of ghosts and spirits already whirling around the choreographer's mind and with this in mind we are proud to launch a new look for the company!

However, the Autumn season 2012 does not just herald the arrival of another great production from BTUK, but also an exciting new phase in the development of the Company.  We are pleased to announce that from the start of September, BTUK will be relocating to the Midlands, to a take up permanent residence in Hinckley, Leicestershire.

The move opens the way for a number of thrilling opportunities for the company, including a greater number of new and diverse productions per year, as well as collaborations with other Arts Organisations. Whilst remaining committed to our vision to tour all over the UK, bringing ballet to the widest possible audience, our new base will also be established with a view to creating a real hub for Dance and Theatre in the Midlands.


"This is a really great step for the company - our new home will provide a great place for creativity and the Central location will make touring a lot easier. The productions that we have coming up over the next year and a half are all different and unique, and we are all looking forward to getting started on them!"

- Christopher Moore - Artistic Director

Highlights of Ballet Theatre UK's Spring production of 'The Sleeping Beauty'