THE Royal Ballet Uncovered, a fascinating insight into the hard work and dedication that goes into preparing for a production at the Royal Opera House, sold out at the Thameside Theatre in Grays on Monday 8 March.
Dancers and staff from the Royal Opera House were warmly welcomed to Grays with a full house at the Thameside Theatre. The Royal Ballet Uncovered introduced the audience to Frederick Ashton’s delightful comic ballet La Fille mal gardée. Lecturer Pauline Green began the evening with a fascinating talk on the music and plot of the ballet. She was followed by Anna-Maria Genuise, a senior costume technician at the Royal Opera House who showed some of the costumes used in La Fille mal gardée and explained how ballet costumes are made to withstand the rigours of dance.
Ballet Master Christopher Saunders then worked with Royal Ballet dancers Ricardo Cervera, Laura Morera and Philip Mosley to demonstrate some of the dances from La Fille mal gardée, accompanied by pianist Kate Shipway.
The audience was full of praise for the wonderful evening and the dancers and Royal Opera House staff were delighted by their reception.
Royal Ballet Principal Laura Morera said:
“We all had a great evening at the Thameside Theatre and we enjoyed meeting some of the people of Grays. Some people think that ballet isn’t something they’re interested in or that they can’t afford it, so events such as this are a really good way to show that there are lots of different ballets out there and that it doesn’t have to be expensive. La Fille mal gardée is a brilliant ballet, really light-hearted and fun and it was great to be able to bring some of that atmosphere to Grays.”
The Royal Ballet Uncovered followed several Insight evenings held by the Royal Opera House at the Thameside Theatre last November, and was part of the work of the Royal Opera House Thurrock and Thames Gateway.
To find out more about other projects and events being run by the Royal Opera House across Thurrock, contact 01375 413388 or email getinvolved@roh.org.uk.
