Ashton Rediscovered: Romeo and Juliet (1955)
2 September 2024 | dancers of The Royal Ballet | coached by Patrick Armand
a focus on Frederick Ashton’s 1955 production for the Royal Danish Ballet
This event comprised two sections: Part 1 – Peter Schaufuss and Dinna Bjorn in conversation with Alastair Macaulay (former Chief Dance Critic of the New York Times), followed by a screening excerpts of early Royal Danish Ballet performances with commentary by Dinna Bjorn and Alastair Macaulay. Part 2 – Patrick Armand in conversation with Alastair Macaulay, followed by a masterclass on Paris’s solo given by Patrick with dancers Liam Boswell and Harris Bell (The Royal Ballet).
Part 1: Peter Schaufuss and Dinna Bjorn in conversation with Alastair Macaulay, followed by silent, black and white excerpts of early Royal Danish Ballet performances with commentary by Dinna Bjorn and Alastair Macaulay:
Part 2: Masterclass: Patrick Armand in conversation with Alastair Macaulay, followed by a masterclass on Paris’s solo given by Patrick with Liam Boswell and Harris Bell:
Ashton Rediscovered: Homage to the Queen (1953)
2 September 2024 | dancers of The Royal Ballet | coached by Darcey Bussell
This masterclass on Homage to the Queen was given by Darcey Bussell, with dancers Leticia Dias and Lukas. B Braendsrød (The Royal Ballet), and Benesh Choreologist Daniel Kraus. Following this, Jane Pritchard (Curator of Dance, V&A) led an ‘in conversation’, and an announcement was given of Christopher Nourse’s retirement as Executive Director of the Frederick Ashton Foundation, and the appointment of Sarah Eliot-Cohen as his successor.
Darcey Bussell coaches Leticia Dias and Lukas. B Braendsrød on Homage to the Queen:
Jane Pritchard in conversation with Darcey Bussell, Leticia Dias, Lukas B. Braendsrød and Benesh Choreologist Daniel Kraus, followed by the announcement of Christopher Nourse’s retirement as Executive Director of the Frederick Ashton Foundation and appointment of Sarah Eliot-Cohen as his successor:
Ashton Rediscovered: Birthday Offering (1956)
28 January 2025 | dancers of Birmingham Royal Ballet | coached by Christopher Carr
presented in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet at the Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre
This masterclass on the Mazurka and a solo from Birthday Offering was given by Christopher Carr (Guest Principal Ballet Répétiteur, The Royal Ballet) with dancers Mathias Dingman, Jack Easton, Ryan Felix, Haoliang Feng, Mason King, Gus Payne, Shuailun Wu (Birmingham Royal Ballet) and Alisa Garkavenko (BRB2). It was followed by an ‘in conversation’ with Christopher Carr, hosted by Jeanetta Laurence, Governor of The Royal Ballet and Chair of The Frederick Ashton Foundation.
Ashton Rediscovered: Devil’s Holiday (1939)
23 February 2025 | dancers of The Royal Ballet | coached by Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera
This masterclass on Devil’s Holiday was given by Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera, with dancers Ella Newton Severgnini and Harrison Lee (The Royal Ballet). An introduction and post-masterclass discussion were led by Jane Pritchard (Curator of Dance at the V&A).
Laura Morera and Ricardo Cervera coach Ella Newton Severgnini and Harrison Lee on Devil’s Holiday:
Jane Pritchard in conversation with Laura Morera, Ricardo Cervera, Ella Newton Severgnini and Harrison Lee: