Ballet Central announces 2012 nationwide tour; this student ballet company includes eight Japanese students

Ballet Central has unveiled its 22 venue nationwide 2012 tour. This year’s tour is remarkable as it includes eight students from Japan, out of a total company of 30 dancers. The six girls and two Japanese boys will be performing in venues across the UK this spring. The annual tour of this unique student ballet company is a chance to sample the dynamism, skill and variety of dance today by some of the best new dance talent – much of it this year from Japan. The Japanese dance students represent the largest nationality in Ballet Central after the UK. (For all student names please see below.)

Ballet Central’s tour offers an unrivalled opportunity to see new works by renowned choreographers as well as much-loved dance pieces performed live in local theatres. The tour commenced in Hertford in March and includes performances at the Lowry in Salford Quays and the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House on 20th June.

William Glassman, Ballet Central’s Artistic Director, comments on the standard of dance students from Japan: “Ballet Central is increasingly multi-cultural but it is unusual to have so many students from one country represented, other than the UK. I am particularly delighted with the diligence, sheer hard work and considerable talent of the Japanese dancers who are part of this year’s tour. Reviews of the early Ballet Central dates have been excellent and all eight of the Japanese dancers are making a significant contribution to our continued success.”

There is something to excite all dance enthusiasts on this year’s tour from Classical Ballet, including the Pas De Trois from Swan Lake Act 1, to vibrant Contemporary works, Jazz and Spanish dances as well as a narrative ballet. And there’s the excitement of seeing new works performed for the first time.

William Glassman continues:” We’re delighted to be performing a new ballet that echoes the ideals and themes of the Olympics called Circle of 5 created for Ballet Central by Mikaela Polley (Rehearsal Director for the Rambert Dance Company).”

Circle of 5 is a fusion of classical ballet and contemporary dance that expertly demonstrates the pure physicality of Ballet Central dancers. The piece has been granted the Inspire Mark by the London 2012 Inspire Programme. The London 2012 Inspire Programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Another highlight of Ballet Central is the music, much of which has been created by Composer in Residence Philip Feeney who also performs live on the tour.

Ballet Central is the touring company of the prestigious centre for professional dance training and education, Central School of Ballet (CSB). Students on the final year of their three year BA (Hons) degree course join Ballet Central to gain invaluable touring experience before graduation. Ballet Central’s dancers not only perform but also help with all aspects of staging, from technical lighting to wardrobe

Sara Matthews, CSB’s Director, comments: “The Ballet Central tour provides the chance to enjoy acclaimed works and new dance pieces in regional theatres across the country, and it’s also the opportunity to see some of the profession’s best emerging dance talent.”

“We are the only vocational ballet school to offer an Honours Degree and pre-professional touring experience on such a scale”, Sara continues. “Ballet Central continues to be a springboard for hundreds of dancers into the top international dance companies. Dancers live to perform so touring is a much anticipated part of our three year curriculum. And we hope that the Ballet Central tour will provide inspiration to young dancers who may be thinking about professional dance as a career.”

For press information and images please contact Hamilton Consulting Tel: 020 8742 0566

Anita Hamilton m: 07768 778 772 email: Anita@hamiltonconsulting.org.uk

 Notes to Editors 

Japanese dancers in the Ballet Central tour 2012

Mariko Kasa Yukiko Matsumoto

Sumire Takimoto Rai Totsuka

Yuumi Ueno Honoka Yamamura

Shinnosuke Mitsutomo Tetsuo Yamamoto

 Ballet Central tour dates 2012

Hertford Theatre, Hertford Thursday 8 March

The Theatre, Chipping Norton Friday 23 March & Saturday 24 March (matinee)

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge Thursday 5 April

ADC Theatre, Cambridge Wednesday 11 April

The Gulbenkian, Canterbury Thursday 19 April

The Lowry, Salford Quays Wednesday 25 April

Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham Friday 27 April

Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Leeds Saturday 28 April

The Octagon, Yeovil Thursday 3 May

Chelmsford Civic Theatre Friday 11 May

Wilde Theatre, Bracknell Sunday 13 May

Corn Exchange, Newbury Tuesday 15 May

The Core at Corby Cube Thursday 17 May

The Byre Theatre of St Andrews Saturday 19 May

The Lights, Andover Saturday 26 May

Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham Friday 8 June & Saturday 9 June (matinee)

Merlin Theatre, Frome Wednesday 13 June

Bridport Arts Centre, Bridport Friday 15 June & Saturday 16 June

Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House, London Wednesday 20 June

The Hawth, Crawley Friday 22 June

 Theater Frascati, ITs Festival, Amsterdam Wednesday 27 June

Bloomsbury Theatre, London Friday 6 July (matinee) & Saturday 7 July (eve)

With Central School of Ballet Friday 6 July (eve) & Saturday 7 July (matinee)