Ballet Cymru
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Ballet Cymru is a touring
classical ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...
company based in
Newport, South Wales Newport ( ) is a city and county borough in Wales, situated on the River Usk close to its confluence with the Severn Estuary, northeast of Cardiff. The population grew considerably between the 2011 and the 2021 census, rising from 145,700 ...
, formed in 1986 by Yvonne Greenleaf and choreographer Darius James. Currently formed of 10 professional dancers, and up to 12 pre-professional dancers the company tours to around 70 venues each year throughout the UK. ''The Independent'' described them as "a brightly gifted, energetic young ensemble that tours England, Wales and Ireland, taking dance to smaller venues that might otherwise be starved of ballet."


History

Ballet Cymru, formerly Welsh ballet, and Independent Ballet Wales and, prior to that, Gwent Ballet Theatre, is a touring
classical ballet Classical ballet is any of the traditional, formal styles of ballet that exclusively employ classical ballet technique. It is known for its aesthetics and rigorous technique (such as en pointe, pointe work, turnout (ballet), turnout of the legs, ...
company based in
Newport, South Wales Newport ( ) is a city and county borough in Wales, situated on the River Usk close to its confluence with the Severn Estuary, northeast of Cardiff. The population grew considerably between the 2011 and the 2021 census, rising from 145,700 ...
, formed in 1986 b
Yvonne Greenleaf
dancer and Artistic Directo
Darius James
Following the success of Ballet Cymru's educational wor
Amy Doughty
become the joint Artist Director alongside Darius James. The company is currently formed of 10 professional dancers, and up to 12 pre-professional dancers the company tours to around 50 venues, performs to audience in excess of 12,000 and undertakes education work for around 2300 young people and adults across the UK. ''The Independent'' described them as "a brightly gifted, energetic young ensemble that tours England, Wales and Ireland, taking dance to smaller venues that might otherwise be starved of ballet." The company aims be a beacon for quality classical ballet in Wales. Ballet Cymru is one of Arts Council of Wales’ revenue funded organisations, since 2011 and plays a vital role in the dance ecology of Wales. Over its long history, it has established itself as a company which seeks to inspire a love of ballet amongst as wide an audience as possible. It is continually seeking out ways to improve how it does this through collaborations, training and creating high quality accessible work. Ballet Cymru have gone on to be awarded the Best Dance Production, Theatre Critics of Wales Awards in 2014, 2017, 2018. Further to this Critics’ Circle UK National Dance Awards, Audience Award 2006.


Current Dancers


Caitlin Edginton

Gwenllian Davies

James Knott

Kamal Singh

Mika George Evans

Isobel Holland

Jacob Hornsey

Jakob Myers

Sanea Singh


Ballet Cymru 2

The company host a Pre-Professional Programme calle
Ballet Cymru 2
This full-time, intensive course provides opportunities to train and perform alongside the company, offering the chance to develop choreographic skills with performance opportunities, networking opportunities, as well as workshops in light/costume design, marketing and writing grant applications to create comprehensive industry professionals.


Engagement work

The company undertakes a wide variety of education work as part of its programme all across Wales. The company pride themselves on thei
Duets National Dance Training Programme
enabling young people to access high quality ballet tuition across the country regardless of economic, social or geographical circumstances. The programme is specifically designed to identify talent, provide progression pathways and improve aspiration for young people who would not usually have the opportunity to access and engage with dance, particularly those living in deprived areas of Wales. This programme partnerships with 6 theatres, 9 schools and 5 dance organisations. Further to this the company host a weekly inclusive ballet class calle
Ballet Cymru 3
for young people aged 8 and upwards. These sessions are open and welcoming to all regardless of ability or disability. The sessions focuses on creativity and individuality, providing a supportive space for freedom and expression. Sessions often include warmups, technique practice, creative tasks, choreography and composition, observation, improvisation, and of course a game or two.


Repertoire

* ''
Giselle ''Giselle'' ( , ), originally titled ''Giselle, ou les Wilis'' (; ''Giselle, or The Wilis''), is a romantic ballet () in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam. Considered a masterwork in the classical ballet performance canon, it was first perfor ...
'' (2006) * ''The Canterbury Tales'' (2006) * ''
Coppélia ''Coppélia'' (sometimes subtitled: ''La Fille aux Yeux d'Émail'' (The Girl with the Enamel Eyes)) is a comic ballet from 1870 originally choreographed by Arthur Saint-Léon to the music of Léo Delibes, with libretto by Charles-Louis-Éti ...
'' (2007) * ''The Bride of Flowers'' (2007) * ''
Under Milk Wood ''Under Milk Wood'' is a 1954 radio drama by Welsh people, Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. The BBC commissioned the play, which was later adapted for the stage. The first public reading was in New York City in 1953. A Under Milk Wood (1972 film), f ...
'' (2008) * ''
Romeo and Juliet ''The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet'', often shortened to ''Romeo and Juliet'', is a Shakespearean tragedy, tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's ...
'' (2008) * ''
A Midsummer Night's Dream ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' is a Comedy (drama), comedy play written by William Shakespeare in about 1595 or 1596. The play is set in Athens, and consists of several subplots that revolve around the marriage of Theseus and Hippolyta. One s ...
'' (2009) * ''
How Green Was My Valley? ''How Green Was My Valley'' is a 1939 novel by Richard Llewellyn, narrated by Huw Morgan, the main character, about his Welsh family and the mining community in which they live. The author had claimed that he based the book on his own experie ...
'' (2009) * ''Lady of Llyn y Fan Fach'' (''The Lady of the Lake'') (2010) * Roald Dahl's ''Little Red Riding Hood'' and ''The Three Little Pigs'' (2012) * ''Stuck in the Mud'' (2013) * ''Week of Pines'' and ''The Same Flame'' (2014)


References


External links


Official website
Companies based in Newport, Wales Culture in Newport, Wales 1986 establishments in Wales Ballet Cymru Performing groups established in 1986 Organisations based in Newport, Wales {{Wales-org-stub