English Youth Ballet perform Swan Lake in Wimbledon shopping centre
Future ballerinas from the English Youth Ballet glided into a shopping centre for a rehearsal of their forthcoming production of Swan Lake.
They enchanted visitors to Centre Court Shopping in Wimbledon with a rendition of the Dance Of The Cygnets from the Tchaikovsky ballet.
Dorothy Wheeler, aged nine (third from left), said: “It was really exciting because you got to show off the dance you learned to loads of people. I think we represented English Youth Ballet really well and hopefully they will come and see the ballet.”
The English Youth Ballet gives young dancers aged between eight and 18 the opportunity to perform in a professional setting, performing full-length ballets in regional theatres in England, Scotland and Wales.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the company, which invites 100 young dancers to join professional dancers on stage in eight annual performances.
The English Youth Ballet will be performing Swan Lake at the New Wimbledon Theatre from August 24-25.
Where to see dance in London
1/6 Royal Opera House
Home to the world-class Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera House is a stunning auditorium with a gigantic stage. The Royal Ballet began performing there in 1946, with Margot Fonteyn performing in a gala performance of Sleeping Beauty to mark the occasion. It is now home to revivals of classics by choreographers like Kenneth MacMillan and Frederick Ashton, and innovative new works by contemporary figures like Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor.
Covent Garden; roh.org.uk
2/6 Sadler’s Wells
One of the biggies, Sadler’s Wells has been around since the 17th century. The current Islington building is the sixth on the site since it began 1683, but it was in 2005 that director Alistair Spalding said he wanted Sadler’s to do for dance what the National Theatre does for drama. It presents all forms of contemporary dance and helps to develop original work in both its main house and the smaller Lilian Baylis Studio. Their associate artist list is basically a who’s who of contemporary dance, counting Wayne McGregor, Matthew Bourne, Hofesh Shechter and Crystal Pite amongst its number.
Islington; sadlerswells.com
3/6 Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre’s jampacked year-round programme of multi-arts festivals always places high importance on dance. They play host to a range of international companies, from our very own English National Ballet to the Hong Kong Dance Company.
This old drill hall near Euston develops dancers as well as hosting performances. It is home to the London Contemporary Dance School, but its 280-seat theatre hosts over 200 performances a year. It’s also home to Resolution, the biggest UK festival for emerging dance companies.
Off Euston Road; theplace.org.uk
5/6 Jacksons Lane
A bit of a wild card choice: Jacksons Lane is London’s most exciting venue for circus and cabaret companies. If you want to have a jaw-dropping evening of people contorting and bouncing and swinging about in a way that us mere mortals can only dream of, get yourself to Highgate to see what’s going on at Jacksons Lane.
Highgate; jacksonslane.org.uk
6/6 The Barbican
This brutalist beauty is home to a whole stew of different arts forms, and regularly plays host to some of the most exciting dance companies. The huge complex has performance spaces from the blooming big to the intimate, and in the last year has played host to bright choreographing talents including Julie Cunningham, Michael Clark, Siobhan Davies, and Ballet Black.
Silk Street, Barbican/Moorgate; barbican.org.uk
1/6 Royal Opera House
Home to the world-class Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera House is a stunning auditorium with a gigantic stage. The Royal Ballet began performing there in 1946, with Margot Fonteyn performing in a gala performance of Sleeping Beauty to mark the occasion. It is now home to revivals of classics by choreographers like Kenneth MacMillan and Frederick Ashton, and innovative new works by contemporary figures like Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor.
Covent Garden; roh.org.uk
2/6 Sadler’s Wells
One of the biggies, Sadler’s Wells has been around since the 17th century. The current Islington building is the sixth on the site since it began 1683, but it was in 2005 that director Alistair Spalding said he wanted Sadler’s to do for dance what the National Theatre does for drama. It presents all forms of contemporary dance and helps to develop original work in both its main house and the smaller Lilian Baylis Studio. Their associate artist list is basically a who’s who of contemporary dance, counting Wayne McGregor, Matthew Bourne, Hofesh Shechter and Crystal Pite amongst its number.
Islington; sadlerswells.com
3/6 Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre’s jampacked year-round programme of multi-arts festivals always places high importance on dance. They play host to a range of international companies, from our very own English National Ballet to the Hong Kong Dance Company.
This old drill hall near Euston develops dancers as well as hosting performances. It is home to the London Contemporary Dance School, but its 280-seat theatre hosts over 200 performances a year. It’s also home to Resolution, the biggest UK festival for emerging dance companies.
Off Euston Road; theplace.org.uk
5/6 Jacksons Lane
A bit of a wild card choice: Jacksons Lane is London’s most exciting venue for circus and cabaret companies. If you want to have a jaw-dropping evening of people contorting and bouncing and swinging about in a way that us mere mortals can only dream of, get yourself to Highgate to see what’s going on at Jacksons Lane.
Highgate; jacksonslane.org.uk
6/6 The Barbican
This brutalist beauty is home to a whole stew of different arts forms, and regularly plays host to some of the most exciting dance companies. The huge complex has performance spaces from the blooming big to the intimate, and in the last year has played host to bright choreographing talents including Julie Cunningham, Michael Clark, Siobhan Davies, and Ballet Black.
