12 FEBRUARY 2016
NEWS ANNOUNCEMENT
Christopher Wheeldon’s new ballet Strapless will receive its world premiere in London tonight and is part of an all Wheeldon mixed programme which includes After the Rain and Within the Golden Hour. The Bolshoi will stage the same programme in 2017. Strapless is inspired by the book by Deborah Davis.
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet said, ‘Given our close association with the Bolshoi, we are delighted to be partnering on this new production of Strapless by our Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon. It is very exciting to be combining forces and a rich opportunity for two historic organisations to meld with some of the most extraordinary creative talents working in dance, music and design today in a fascinating exploration of the 19th-century European art scene.’
Vladimir Urin, General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre adds, ‘This new chapter in our long-term relationship with the legendary Royal Ballet of Covent Garden is extremely important for the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia. We have been collaborating for many years but tonight is the pivotal moment as we premiere our first coproduction, Strapless, the world premiere of the new ballet by Christopher Wheeldon, the leading choreographer of his generation. Our collaboration is a perfect proof that the art of ballet has no boundaries and can only develop through joint efforts and the creation of new original production.’
The co-production of Strapless is part of an ongoing collaboration between The Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia with recent activities including the annual World Ballet Day, a live digital stream behind the scenes of the world’s leading ballet companies, and The Royal Ballet’s critically acclaimed tour to the Bolshoi Theatre in 2014.
The Bolshoi Ballets returns to the Royal Opera House in July for a three week residency marking the 60th anniversary of their first visit in 1956.
World Ballet Day is an annual collaboration of world leading ballet companies offering exclusive behind the scenes access to rehearsal, insight and performances via a live 24 hour stream. For more information visit worldballetday.com
The Bolshoi Ballet returns to the Opera House Monday 25 July to Saturday 13 August with the Orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre for a three week season of Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Taming of the Shrew, Flames of Paris and Le Corsaire presented by Victor Hochhauser.
Don Quixote 25/ 26 / 27 / 28 July at 7.30pm
Swan Lake 29 / 30 July 1 / 2 / 8 / 9 / 10 Aug at 7.30pm 30 July at 2pm
The Taming of the Shrew 3 / 4/ August at 7.30pm
Flames of Paris 5/ 6 / August at 7.30pm 6 August at 2pm Le Corsaire 11 / 12 / 13 / August at 7.30pm 13 August at 2pm
Tickets £10 - £135
Public booking opens Tuesday 12 April
Box Office – Telephone 0207 304 4000 / www.roh.org.uk
STRAPLESS
Choreography Christopher Wheeldon
Scenario Christopher Wheeldon and Charlotte Westenra inspired by the book by Deborah Davis
Music Mark-Anthony Turnage
Designer Bob Crowley
Lighting Designer Natasha Chivers
Art. Lebedev Studio