Katie Derham introduces highlights from the past ten years at the Royal Ballet, weaving the history of ballet through carefully curated excerpts from the past decade, and goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to be a dancer in the company of the Royal Ballet as they prepare to take to the stage.

With stunning solos, passionate pas de deux and jaw-dropping numbers for the corps de ballet, it is a chance to see your favourite dancers up close, including Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez, Natalia Osipova, Steven McRae, Francesca Hayward and Matthew Ball, who introduce their favourite ballets and share stories of their life on the stage.

The ballets featured include the classics Giselle, La Bayadere, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker while the 20th-century heritage of The Royal Ballet is explored in works by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. The contemporary life of the company is showcased in works by Christopher Wheeldon and Wayne McGregor.

The History of The Royal Ballet

The Royal Ballet is one of the great ballet companies of the world and a driving force behind the development of ballet as an art form. Under the leadership of Director Kevin O’Hare, grand balletic tradition and an illustrious heritage are united with innovation, daring and exceptional standards of artistry, creativity and stagecraft to produce supreme theatre.

The Company owes its existence to the vision of Dame Ninette de Valois, dancer, teacher, choreographer and entrepreneur. She assembled a small company and school, and in 1931 persuaded theatre producer and manager Lilian Baylis to provide a base for the Company at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in North London. It remained at Sadler’s Wells Theatre until 1939 and spent the war years touring widely in Great Britain and performing for the Allied troops in Europe. In February 1946, it transferred to the Royal Opera House (now the Royal Ballet and Opera). In 1956, to mark its 25th anniversary, the name The Royal Ballet was granted by Royal Charter.

The Royal Ballet’s extensive repertory follows a unique trajectory from 19th-century classics to the singular legacy of works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan and the compelling new canon of work by Resident Choreographer Wayne McGregor and Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon. Choreographic giants such as George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and John Cranko also feature as well as other acclaimed international choreographers of today including Crystal Pite, Cathy Marston, Twyla Tharp, Pam Tanowitz, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Arthur Pita.

Through imaginative commissions presented across both the main stage and the intimate space of the Linbury Theatre, and through innovative digital initiatives, the Company continues to refresh and surprise.

Praise for Essential Royal Ballet

"Think of it as a box of chocolates – full of small, tasty treats and a collection that can be easily enjoyed at a single gluttonously enjoyable sitting." (MusicWeb International)

“a ridiculously enjoyable night at the ballet” (The Daily Telegraph on La Bayadère)

“a jovial and entertaining showcase for classical dancing at its most demanding and exuberant” (The Times on Don Quixote)

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Featuring:

Giselle Act II pas de deux
Natalia Osipova and Carlos Acosta

La Bayadère The Kingdom of the Shades
Yuhui Choe, Yasmine Naghdi, Akane Takada and artists of The Royal Ballet

Don Quixote Espada’s solo
Ryoichi Hirano

Swan Lake Act III pas de deux
Marianela Nuñez and Vadim Muntagirov

The Nutcracker Waltz of the Flowers
Yuhui Choe, Francesca Hayward, Gary Avis, Alexander Campbell and artists of The Royal Ballet

The Nutcracker Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
Lauren Cuthbertson

Symphonic Variations Marianela Nuñez, Yasmine Naghdi, Yuhui Choe, Vadim Muntagirov, James Hay and Tristan Dyer

La Fille mal gardée Clog Dance
William Tuckett with Deirdre Chapman, Cindy Jourdain, Sarah Lamb and Laura Morera

The Dream Pas de deux
Akane Takada and Steven McRae

Romeo and Juliet Act I pas de deux
Yasmine Naghdi and Matthew Ball

Mayerling Act II pas de deux
Mara Galeazzi and Edward Watson

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
Steven McRae, Lauren Cuthbertson, Romany Pajdak and Paul Kay

Infra Marianela Nuñez and Edward Watson, Solo cello Anssi Karttunen

The Sleeping Beauty Act III Finale
The Company

Starring Katie Derham (Presenter); The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House

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