Interview with Gareth Haw
From Welsh roots to childhood dreams realised, discover what English National Ballet Principal, Gareth Haw is most looking forward to when performing at Hatch House this July.
Photo credit: Andrew Seidel
Welsh born, Gareth Haw, trained in Chepstow before joining the Royal Ballet Lower and Upper School. Upon graduation, Gareth joined the Semperoper Ballett Dresden in 2015, where he grew through the ranks, before joining the English National Ballet as a First Soloist in 2023. He was promoted to Principal in 2024.
Gareth has danced Principal roles in Watkin and Smith’s Nutcracker; Watkin’s Swan Lake, La Bayadere and Sleeping Beauty; Watkin and Beechey’s The Nutcracker; Dawson’s Giselle. Soloist roles in Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Symphony in C, and Four Temperaments; Forsythe’s The Second Detail, Artifact, and New Suite; Graham’s Errand into the Maze; Inger’s Walking Mad, and Carmen; Bausch’s Iphigenia auf Tauris; Ashton’s The Dream; Peck’s Heatscape; Ekman’s COW. His created roles include Paris, in Dawson’s Romeo and Juliet; Winter Principal Couple in Dawson’s The Four Seasons.
Gareth, can you tell us what you are currently rehearsing and performing?
I have been pretty busy of late performing as the Prince in Sleeping Beauty and I have just returned from Romania where I performed Giselle Act II and Metamorphosis by David Dawson. I also had the honour of performing the UK première of Slingerland Duet by William Forsythe.
Photo credit: Yoonsik Kim
What made you decide to join the Covent Garden Dance Company and perform at Hatch House this July?
I have been following CGDC for the past two years and really love the ethos. In February I was unable to join the Bahamas cast, but there was no way I could turn down the opportunity to dance with Lauren Cuthbertson. There is only one answer to that question! I have idolised her since I was in school and it was a dream opportunity.
What will you and Lauren be dancing?
We will be performing a double debut! We are both very keen to dance Le Parc as we saw the Paris Opera Ballet performing it a long time ago. We also will be performing Florent Malec’s beautiful piece Moonlight. There is such meaning behind both works that we both wanted to perform them for the first time.
What do you hope people feel when watching you?
If we manage to captivate an audience for a brief moment in time, enable them to forget the day to day, we will have done our job.
Photo credit: Yoonsik Kim
What excites you most about performing at Hatch House?
I love that it is not a conventional setting. Being outdoors rather than in a standard theatre in a big city, brings a different energy to the performance, it changes the atmosphere of the piece and it brings a different style of performance. I can’t wait.
You’ll be performing alongside some incredible artists, who are you most excited to watch?
William Bracewell. He is an extremely unique artist and what he represents as a male dancer is unique; he makes every role his own. It helps that he is also from Wales! I think we are the only two Welsh Principal dancers and that is something lovely. I am a massive fan and have been since I first saw him dance when I was 9 years old. It will be a full circle moment to dance alongside William.
Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 24th July - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?
I experienced that thrill of watching professional dancers on stage when I was little. I grew up in rural Wales and I remember when I first watched the Royal Ballet perform. It is so important that we branch out of cities to expose a younger generation, include and inspire them. It is our responsibility to ensure ballet is not an elitist form but an accessible art.
What is your favourite role to dance?
I have performed as Albrecht in Giselle recently and it is a key pillar in classical ballet but it also explored the human emotional journey. Male dancers are often in white tights, but Albrecht’s emotional journey allows us to dance with freedom. Albrecht is my favourite role.
Can you share something people don’t know about you?
Before ballet, I was a slalom ski racer and I speak fluent German!
Interview with William Bracewell
After an unforgettable run of dancing Romeo to Marianela Nunez’s Juliet, we had the great privilege of interviewing Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, William Bracewell, before he joins us on stage at Hatch House 2025.
After an unforgettable run of dancing Romeo to Marianela Nunez’s Juliet, we had the great privilege of interviewing Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, William Bracewell, before he dives down the rabbit hole into Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Photo credit: Unknown
Welsh dancer William Bracewell joined The Royal Ballet as a Soloist in 2017 and was promoted to First Soloist in 2018, Principal in 2022. Born in Swansea. William trained at the Pamela Miller Ballet School and, from the age of 11, at The Royal Ballet School. Whilst a student, he won the 2007 Young British Dancer of the Year Award and the grand prix at the 2010 Youth America Grand Prix. He joined Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2010, promoted to first artist in 2012 and to soloist in 2014.
His repertory with The Royal Ballet and BRB includes Des Grieux, Oberon, Polixenes and Florizel (The Winter's Tale) Lead roles in Requiem, The Dante Project, Hamlet and Ophelia, Romeo, Prince Siegfried (Swan Lake), Prince (The Nutcracker), Franz (Coppélia), Oberon (The Dream), The Prince (Cinderella), Ferdinand (The Tempest), Salamander Prince (David Bintley’s The Prince of the Pagodas), First Seminarian (Carmina Burana), Prince Florimund (The Sleeping Beauty) pas de six (Giselle), Rajah/Caterpillar (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Ted Feltham (The Unknown Soldier), Kulygin (Winter Dreams), Beliaev (A Month in the Country), Dr John Brown (Like Water for Chocolate) and roles in Woolf Works, Dances at a Gathering, Symphonic Variations, Tombeaux, Obsidian Tear, Les Rendezvous, Elite Syncopations, ‘Still Life’ at the Penguin Café, Theme and Variations, Untouchable, Sylvia, Asphodel Meadows, Corybantic Games and DGV: Danse à grande vitesse.
William Bracewell as Prince Siegfried & Akane Takada as Odile in Swan Lake at the Royal Ballet & Opera House
Photo credit: unknown
His role creations for BRB included Le roi soleil (Bintley’s The King Dances), Alexander Whitley’s Kin and Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces. He has created roles for The Royal Ballet in Jessica Lang's Twinkle, Untitled 2023, Yugen, Corybantic Games, Dispatch Duet and The Weathering.
Bracewell's other awards include Best Male Dancer 2023 and Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) 2015 from Critics' Circle National Dance Awards.
William, can you tell us what you are currently rehearsing and performing?
It’s nearing the end of our season here at the Royal Ballet & Opera House and the final thing I’m performing here is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I’m also creating a new ballet with Cathy Marsden that will premiere in November 2025.
Photo credit: William Muir.
Can you please tell us what motivated you to join the Covent Garden Dance Company to perform at Hatch House this July?
It’s rare that I get to perform in such a beautiful part of the world so I was thrilled to be asked. Having danced with Sarah Lamb last summer, I was also incredibly keen to continue forming our relatively new dancing relationship.
What are you looking forward to most about performing at Hatch House?
I can’t wait to see the house and gardens and of course share the stage with Sarah both in repertoire we know well and something totally new to myself. I also cannot wait to see the gardens for the first time. After dancing, my second love is horticulture and gardening. I find it such a therapy and escape, if there is any help needed in the garden I’ll be there!
Photo credit: Alice Pennefather
What will you be performing and why did you choose these pieces?
Myself and Sarah Lamb will be dancing an excerpt from La Bayadère and Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella pas de deux. Cinderella is a firm favourite of mine; the precision and detail all Ashton works combined with his musicality is such a joy to perform. I feel Sarah is an absolute master of this way of moving. La Bayadère is new to me, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of tackling something quite different.
When you’re dancing these works, what do you hope the audience feels?
These pieces are quite different from one another so hopefully the audience will be able to take away the contrast and versatility of our dancing.
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?
I always love seeing people dance that I haven’t before.
Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 24th July - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?
Seeing dancers of the Royal Ballet perform was what made me want to start dancing more seriously, so I know how important these experiences are.
Photo credit: Alice Pennefather
What is your favourite role to dance?
It’s a tough question but probably of the classical ballets it would have to be Romeo and Juliet or Manon but there are too many to chose from…
Can you tell me three things people don’t know about you – fun facts perhaps?
I am an excellent whistler (to some people’s annoyance).
I built all the door frames and doors in my current flat (yes they are a little wonky)
And my YouTube rabbit hole is electric car videos.
If you are yet to book your seats to watch William Bracewell and Sarah Lamb dance at Hatch House 2025, don’t delay, tickets are selling fast.
Iconique - Bahamas 2025 Programme
Our Iconique - Bahamas 2025 Programme is live and we cannot wait to share our year’s work with you. From classical to contemporary, there is something to delight every dance connoisseur and novice alike. Read on and book your seats before it is too late.
After 12 months of planning, we are so delighted to share our full Iconique, 2025 programme with you.
From classical to contemporary, there is something to delight every dance novice and dance connoisseur alike.
Read on and book your seats before it is too late.
Interview with Lauren Cuthbertson
Covent Garden Dance Company was delighted to sit down with Lauren Cuthbertson, Principal of The Royal Ballet, ahead of her debut of Christopher Wheeldon’s Mercurial Manoeuvres at Iconique, Bahamas.
Photo credit: Andrej Uspenski
English dancer, Lauren Cuthbertson is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. She studied at The Royal Ballet School, before graduating into the Company in 2002. She became a Principal in 2008.
Lauren was recipient of the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) in 2004 and 2021. She has performed as a guest artist with Teatro Colón, Teatro di San Carlo, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and The Australian Ballet. She was invited by the Mariinsky Ballet to perform Sylvia (2018), Marguerite and Armand (2019) and The Sleeping Beauty (2020). She is Vice President of the British Ballet Organisation and Patron of London Children’s Ballet and the National Youth Ballet.
Cuthbertson’s repertory with the Company includes Aurora, Odette/Odile and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Works by Frederick Ashton include the Young Girl in The Two Pigeons, Titania in The Dream, Natalia in A Month in the Country and Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand. She also featured in principal roles in many of Kenneth MacMillan’s ballets including Anastasia, Romeo and Juliet, Manon, Mayerling, Song of the Earth and The Judas Tree. She has also performed leading roles in works by other choreographers including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Glen Tetley, David Bintley, Liam Scarlett and Alastair Marriott. Created roles for Wayne McGregor include Qualia, Chroma, Infra, Acis and Galatea, Live Fire Exercise, Tetractys and Multiverse. Cuthbertson performed Christopher Wheeldon’s Souvenirs while at The Royal Ballet School and went on to work with him closely, creating the role of Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. She also worked with Cathy Marston on first joining the Company and went on to create the leading role inspired by Jacqueline du Pré in The Cellist for which she won her 2021 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award.
How long have you known Matt and been working with the Covent Garden Dance Company?
I have known Matt for over ten years and have worked consistently for the Covent Garden Dance Company over that period. Since having my two small children, I haven’t taken on any extra performances within my schedule, but now feels like the right time. I have an appetite to perform selected works and that is why I really enjoy working with Matt because he is so open to you suggesting works that you are inspired by, and think audiences would love to see you dance. That is why I am coming to the Bahamas this March.
Lauren Cuthbertson & Matthew Golding - Hatch House
Photo credit - Alice Pennefather
What will you be performing and with whom?
I’ll be performing two works by Christopher Wheeldon with Robbie Fairchild. It is our first time dancing together, and I am beyond excited to be performing with him. We’ve both worked separately with Chris, so to come together within his work feels quite special. I’ve danced Golden Hour before, which is one of our pas de deuxs, and the other one - which will be a debut for me - is called Mercurial Manoeuvres. Robbie has danced that work before so between us we have a history with one and are supporting the other one to debut. That feels really beautiful.
What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?
I’m most looking forward to that feeling you get when the music starts and hopefully the audience is captivated and we are also captivated within the work and and we share that moment in time. Performing always feels completely special and unique and this time feels really special; dancing with Robbie for the first time with new repertoire. This is also my first time performing in the Bahamas.
Have you ever performed in the Bahamas before, can you tell us about the last experience? And if not, what are you most looking forward to?
After I had a foot operation a long time ago, I went with a dear friend to the Bahamas to recuperate. It is amazing to come back and think how worried I was to be able to get back to dancing after that foot surgery and questioning if I would every make it back to full fitness. Yet here I am, returning after many years, after sustaining a career and having children. So performing on the island for the first time with that in mind, will feel on a personal level, quite special.
When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel, what do you hope the audience feels?
When I am performing Golden Hour. I feel really serene and peaceful. Every movement that you take within the Golden Hour, feels meaningful because it is quite a sparse work in terms of steps. So you really have to engage your physicality with every single move and make it as smooth as possible.
Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6 March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?
It’s critical that children have access to the arts and I am so happy that we are going to bring some of what we do to the Bahamas. I certainly haven’t performed here before, but you never know, there may be someone in the audience who is so captivated by the music or the dance or the physicality, or it might make them feel wonderful to watch it. In this day and age with so much screen time, I feel like any art form is ever more important and engaging with each other and sharing in the moment is necessary, so I am really excited about that.
I hope we get to meet the children and talk to them. I always love to speak to children after a performance they’ve seen because they seem to be so receptive. They come out with some really insightful reactions because they are often seeing things for the first time and they have such a refreshing perspective.
What will you be working on after Iconique?
After Iconique, I will be heading back to London and performing in Serenade at the Royal Opera House and then debuting in another beautiful work by Christopher Wheeldon called The Two Of Us, so those are my next two engagements at the Royal Opera House.
Can you tell us something people don’t know about you – a fun fact perhaps?
I work with a perfumer, so for every big ballet that we perform, we work on making a scent for that ballet, so that each character has at least one scent. I have done this for my whole career, so now we have a whole library of scents which is quite unique.
Watch Lauren dancing as the original Alice in Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice in Wonderland.
Interview with Robbie Fairchild
Fresh from rehearsals for the stage adaptation of the Oscar winning, The Artist, we spoke to Robbie Fairchild about his upcoming performances with the Royal Ballet’s Lauren Cuthbertson at Iconique, Bahamas 2025.
Just a few weeks before Iconique 2025, we caught up with the incredible international artist, Robbie Fairchild, who is soon to partner Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Lauren Cuthbertson in a stunning Christopher Wheeldon double bill.
ROBBIE FAIRCHILD made his Tony nominated Broadway debut in 2015 as Jerry Mulligan in the Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, which he reprised in London’s West End in 2017. He was awarded the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theater World, National Dance and Astaire Award for this performance and was nominated for the Evening Standard and Drama League Awards.
From 2009 to 2017, Fairchild performed as a Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet. His other theatre credits include Monster in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (Signature Theater, Chita Rivera Award), Harry Beaton in Brigadoon (New York City Center), Will Parker in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall, London), Mike Costa in A Chorus Line (Hollywood Bowl), and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate (Roundabout Theater Company’s 2017 Gala).
Photo credit - Ryan Slack
His television credits include: Soundtrack (Netflix), Mixtape (FOX Pilot), Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), Oklahoma! (BBC Proms), Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Carousel Boy in NY Philharmonic’s Carousel (PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center), Dancing With The Stars, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Live with Kelly and Michael, CBS Sunday Morning, and 60 Minutes. Film: Tom Hooper's Cats, An American in Paris Live (West End Production), The Chaperone and NY Export: Opus Jazz.
What have you just been working on?
I have just been in London working on another workshop of The Artist - a stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie of 2011, it’s picking up steam and it’s really fun; a dance musical hybrid - like An American in Paris.
Can you please tell us what you are currently rehearsing / performing / working on aside from preparing for Iconique?
I’ve got a lot of Spring and Summer gigs lined up which I am really excited about. There is a lot of prep’ work for me to do; whether it’s choreographing or flying to different cities to meet with different choreographers to make new stuff, so I am really excited.
Photo credit - Erin Baiano
What will you be performing and with whom?
I am so excited to be doing Golden Hour and Mercurial Manoeuvres with Lauren Cuthbertson. We have known each other for so long and because we know each other through Christopher Wheeldon, it will be fun to get to connect on stage via his moves. I am really excited.
What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?
I think I am looking forward to exploring our friendship on stage. I have admired her for years as an audience member and a friend, so to get to dance with her is a huge honour and a treat.
When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel, what do you hope the audience feels?
When I dance Christopher Wheeldon pas de deuxs, they feel so human; they transcend the classical form they are in, into something that feels so wonderfully personal. And I love that aspect of ballet, that it is something so classical and it can feel so far away, but then moments make it feel really human; Thank you Wheeldon!
Photo credit - Erin Baiano
Have you ever performed in the Bahamas before, can you tell us about the last experience? And if not, what are you most looking forward to?
I have never performed before in the Bahamas, but I have gone scuba-diving there which was heaven. I am very much looking forward to it. I love the people there, I love the culture and it will be fun to get to perform, not just go as a tourist.
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world, who are you most looking forward to working alongside?
I cannot wait to dance with Lauren, but also alongside all of my fellow dancers who I have only been able to see dance online up until now. How exciting!
Photo credit - Paul Kolnik
Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6 March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?
Young audience members are so key. Dance is very unique and very special, but it’s very universal and in a very Tik Tok, Instagram reel world, there is something to be said about sitting down and spectating something that lasts longer than 30 seconds. So it is important to have those moments.
Can you tell me three things people don’t know about you – fun facts perhaps?
I don’t know if people will have gathered this, but I am an adventurer, I am very spontaneous and although I am very outgoing and extroverted, I really love my quiet time too.
Interview with Beatrice & Max
Ahead of an exciting international tour, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners and Principals Beatrice Parma and Max Maslen.
Ahead of an exciting international tour and fresh from her promotion to Principal in March, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners, Beatrice Parma and Principal, Max Maslen.
Beatrice & Max dancing Hobson’s Choice by David Bintley.
Photo credit: Bill Cooper.
Italian born, Beatrice Parma is a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB). Originally from Livorno, Italy, she trained at Accadamia Teatro alla Scala and English National Ballet School. Upon graduating, Beatrice worked for three years in Turkey in a company in Mersin, before joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Her partner in life and on the stage, Max Maslen, Principal of BRB, was born in Bradford where he trained locally until the age of 16, before moving to London to train full time at Central School of Ballet.
Can you tell us three things people don’t know about you?
“I am a hobbyist DJ, I play guitar in a band and I can’t sing!”
Max“I’m the happiest by the sea, I love watching Formula 1, I can’t go to bed without fluffing the sofa’s cushions.”
Beatrice
What has been your favourite role that you have danced?
“Juliet is without a doubt my favourite role that I’ve performed so far. I love how in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet the choreography meets the music perfectly. Performing this role is always so special as you can bring so much individuality to it.”
Beatrice
“My favourite role I have performed would have to be Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. The sword fighting, the drama and fun make each show unique!”
Max
What role would you most like to dance that you are yet to debut?
“A dream role of mine has always been Marguerite in the Lady of the Camellias by John Neumeier. I remember watching it at the Teatro alla Scala when I was younger and completely falling in love with the role. The choreography is absolutely stunning and I would love the challenge of performing such a complex and dramatic role.”
Beatrice“The role I would love to perform is Sergeant Francis Troy in David Bintley’s Far from the Madding Crowd. Some of the pas de deux are extremely challenging and I’d love to have a chance to dig deep into the character.”
Max
What has been the highlight of your year with BRB?
Carlos Acosta promoting Beatrice to Principal
Photo credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet
“My highlight of the season has to be watching my girlfriend get promoted to Principal dancer on stage after her performance of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. It’s a special moment for anyone and even more so knowing all the hard work and dedication that she put in.”
Max“Getting promoted to principal was not only the most special moment of this season with BRB, but of my career. Carlos walking on stage and announcing the promotion after my Aurora show is a moment I will forever cherish. I never expected to get to the top so I’m so grateful and honoured to start next season as a Principal dancer of the company.”
Beatrice
What are you looking forward to most about dancing at Hatch House with the Covent Garden Dance Company this year?
“Galas are always a great opportunity to meet new people and dancers. I’m looking forward to dancing in such a beautiful location and get inspired by all the other dancers performing there.”
Beatrice“I’m looking forward to being able to meet other artists from around the world and to try and learn and take inspiration from them.”
Max
Beatrice Parma - Nutcracker
Photo credit: Bill Cooper
What will you be dancing?
“We will be performing Sir Frederick Ashton’s wedding pas de deux from La Fille Mal Gardée and another Ashton iconic pas de deux - Rhapsody.”
Beatrice
What inspired you to dance these pieces?
“We chose these pieces as we’ve performed them before, got to grips with the way they move and flow, and now can push them to go further.”
Max“We are about to perform La Fille Mal Gardée with BRB next season so we thought it would also be a nice addition to the evening as it’s just a beautiful pas de deux.”
Beatrice
When you’re dancing these pieces together how does it make you feel?
“Being together in life, it’s always nice to share moments not only off stages, but on as well. It adds onto memories we’ve built together.”
Beatrice“We’ve always enjoyed performing together! it’s usually only outside of the company that we get to choose what repertoire we dance together as well!”
Max
Beatrice in Juliano Nunes’ Interlinked
Photo credit: Tristan Kenton
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?
“I’m excited to watch everyone perform, there’s always things you can learn from different dancers and get inspired in a different ways”
Beatrice“I wouldn’t want to say individually who I’m looking forward to see perform, but more the collective and how each artist will bring something completely different to the evenings.”
Max
What do you like most about performing for events such as this?
“I’d say the most special thing about Galas like this one, is how dancers from all over the world come together for a few days sharing what we love.”
Beatrice
Want to watch a world class line up of artists?
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Ballet in the Bahamas
Fresh from the shores of the stunningly beautiful Nassau Bay, Bahamas, our Director, Matt Brady, shares his thoughts on our first Covent Garden Dance Company performances in the Bahamas.
From the shores of the stunningly beautiful Nassau Bay, Bahamas, Director Matt Brady, shares his thoughts on the first Covent Garden Dance Company performances in the Bahamas.
Xander Parish and Mackenzie Brown perform at Iconique 2024
A Covent Garden Dance dream realised
“It would usually take a year (or more) to develop a new territory or venue as it is complex and often convoluted process. However, after getting so close to launching the production in the Bahamas in February 2019, only to be thwarted by Covid and the pandemic, when the opportunity presented itself again, in the shape of the amazing Anita Wheeler and The Old Fort Bay Club, we decided we the time was now.
In four months and with a huge team effort from both sides of the pond, we managed to launch the inaugural production of 'Iconique' in The Bahamas and what an Iconique cast we collated.”
A Bahamian welcome
“It sounds obvious but one of the key elements for any production is a publicity, as someone once said to me;
‘Doing a production without advertising is like winking at someone in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.’
We had the great fortune of being introduced to The Tribune Newspaper, the leading national newspaper in The Bahamas, who quickly became our Iconique Media Partner. Their support and advice were invaluable throughout the production and gave us a solid and highly respected channel to convey our message to the incredible nation of The Bahamas.
The show was presented over two performances with the first on Valentine’s eve (Wednesday the 14th of February) and finale on Friday the 17th of February. With the challenges of schools’ half term falling on the week of the production (when half the island leaves for Europe / the mountains), we needed to work twice as hard to ensure we got the message out far and wide. We were told on many occasions, usually over a drink and usually by people who were yet to book, that;
"Everyone books last minute on the island. Don't worry."
It was hard not to, but they were right. Ten days before the opening night…. the blue touch paper was lit!”
Covent Garden Dance Co. Partnerships
“With the official launch date set in mid-November, it was important to ensure we had the fundamentals and key elements in place (which changed; twice). We were extraordinarily lucky to have such an incredible venue partner in the Old Fort Bay Club, and without the relentless driving force and guidance of Anita, Jacob Le Blanc and team, there is no doubt in my mind we would not have succeeded in overcoming all the challenges that we faced in bringing the production to fruition.
There is a list as long as my arm of supporters who should be acknowledged for their role in making this production such a success. However, two I would like to highlight are firstly our ongoing partner, Harlequin Dance Floors, who have been incredible in getting a world class floor out to our stage once again. Without this key element and their unique expertise, we would simply not be able to present such a world class production with some of the greatest and most renowned dancers from the most revered companies.
The second, is our Event and Staging Partner, Wildflowers, who did not stop with their support and re-assurances. With every new territory comes unexpected challenges and without Wildflowers’ support, which started from the first minute we sat down and explained the dream, to the day of departure post show, we would not have had the success we had.
Avis and their MD, Cindy Newell, were also vital to the logistical success of our Bahamian adventure and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Ballet on the shore
“When the stage was set and with the dancers warming up at sunset on the beach just before dress rehearsal, I looked up and saw the 'Cheshire Cat Smile' moon. Somehow I knew it was a sign we were going to be ok and that we maybe the angels were watching over us. I was not wrong.
We were just shy of being sold out on the opening night, and not far behind that on the Friday night which ensured that we had the all important atmosphere to make both nights, nights to remember.”
An ‘Iconique’ cast of ballet dancers
“The Iconique programme was created to ensure that the performances would not only surprise and engage the new audience (many of whom had never been to see any ballet or dance before), but also impress and entertain all those who had seen everything dance related. The standing ovation on both nights confirmed we had got it right.
The intimate evening of Classical, Neo-Classical and Contemporary performances featured ballet dancers from some of the world’s most revered ballet companies. Elegance, precision, and emotion crackled in the air as our two royal Danish principles, Holly Dorger and Jón Axel Fransson took to the stage for the opening piece."
World famous British dancer Xander Parish, Stutgartt Ballet’s, Mackenzie Brown (youngest dancer ever to be promoted to Principal), internationally acclaimed Lucia Lacarra and Prix de Lausanne winner Matthew Golding left no emotion untapped and the haunting choreography of Mara Galeazzi, partnered by Jason Kittleberger ensured that there was not a dry eye in the house.
The cast, all of whom are very much iconic in their own way to so many (myself included), will always have our undying gratitude for bringing everything to those two performances. I have rarely seen an audience so enraptured and entranced from the first moment to the final bow as we saw on those two nights.
When the stars align in this way, in that location, with that backdrop; it is nothing short of perfection. The Nassau community welcomed us with open arms; the warmth and generosity, their reaction to the production left the cast and myself feeling genuinely moved.”
A unique audience
“Being under the patronage of the First Lady of the Bahamas was a huge privilege and we hope this will continue. The First Lady attended for the closing night and had by, all accounts, a fabulous time. She kindly took time to come and meet the dancers post show back stage who were thrilled at how much she seemed to enjoy the show.
The First Lady of The Bahamas Mrs Anne Marie Davis posing with the technicians post show.
British High Commissioner, Tom Hartley was instrumental in the performance coming to The Bahamas and said he was left extremely proud.
“None of us could really believe this night would be as special as it was. It was beyond expectations, I think, for anyone. However much you love ballet, I think tonight was a special night. I’m so proud. The Bahamas is a very special place and you have to bring something special to really add value to The Bahamas. And I’m proud that Matt has already committed to doing it another year, next year, and I feel this really adds value to the rich culture already in The Bahamas. The British High Commission played a tiny part in that and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Wendy Mills, an ardent lover of ballet, spent her Valentine’s evening enjoying the performances:
“I am an avid ballet watcher. I’ve attended many ballet shows and performances all over the world. The performance was as exquisite as you can imagine. I love that it’s here at home in The Bahamas.”
From internationally renowned Golfer and Olympian Gold Medallist Justin Rose, to fans of Xander Parish, who travelled from Germany and Denmark, we were delighted by the international interest in our ‘Iconique’ performances.”
Inspiring a new generation of ballet dancers
“Covent Garden Dance Company has a ‘tradition’ of always opening up our dress rehearsals to children and students. We were not going to make an exception in The Bahamas. We were delighted to have 50 local young dancers and students from over 12 dance schools attend (a very windy) dress rehearsal. The cast were delighted to meet with the new generation of Bahamian ballet dancers and be featured on the local television news.” We can’t wait to invite more next year!
Back to the Bahamas in 2025
“We are delighted to say that Iconique 2025 Nassau has already had 55% of its tables rebooked for the 7th & 8th March. Not bad for an island who always books last minute. We are also hoping to work with a non-profit organisation to bring the show to Freeport too.
