The Royal Ballet’s new production of Christopher Wheeldon’s The Winter’s Tale opens tonight at the Royal Opera House, starring some of the biggest names in ballet – some of whom started their careers in our Junior Associate programme. Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, Royal Ballet Principal dancers Lauren Cuthbertson (playing Hermione) and Edward Watson (playing Leontes), Soloist James Hay […]

A very special exhibition is being mounted this spring to mark the fifth anniversary of White Lodge Museum & Ballet Resource Centre, based at The Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park. Darcey Bussell: from Student to Star of The Royal Ballet will chart Darcey Bussell’s life as the nation’s favourite ballerina, from her days as

Dame Monica Mason yesterday unveiled a painting at White Lodge, Richmond Park, that she has generously donated to the School. The painting, by Martin Sutherland, is a 12 x 17.5 foot tableau of the set of Hamlet, depicting Helpmann’s 1942 staging of the piece, created in 1987 for Leslie Hurry’s exhibition about the ballet. The

 Yesterday the Ninette de Valois Junior Choreographic Award 2014 took place at our base at White Lodge, Richmond Park. This year the award inspired 24 entries, from which 14 works by students from Years 7, 8 and 9 were shortlisted to perform at the competition. The winner was Gene Goodman (Year 9), with his work Arachnid,

Earlier this month we hosted a visit from American Ballet Theatre Studio Company (ABT) as part of a repeat exchange with the company. The exchange is aimed at helping students learn about different styles and teaching methods, and is a fantastic opportunity for them to build networks, share expertise and meet new people. The ABT

Last week we were pleased to welcome Elizabeth Truss MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Education. Elizabeth had a tour of the School, watched students in class and then spoke to students about the government’s commitment to developing arts education. In her speech she particularly spoke of the positive impact of dance

Royal Ballet School student Erik Woolhouse, 17, was named Young British Dancer of the Year 2014 at the finals of the Award at the Royal Opera House on Saturday. Erik performed Albrecht’s variation from Act 2 of Giselle, followed by the Male Pas de Deux variation from Le Corsaire. His prize was £3,000. Second prize went to Royal Ballet

A bust of Margot Fonteyn by Maurice Lambert was unveiled at our Upper School in Covent Garden earlier this month. The bust was kindly left to the School by the late Frank Freeman FRAD, dancer, teacher, choreographer and examiner, in his will. Frank trained with The Royal Ballet School, at White Lodge and the Upper School,