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NATIONAL YOUTH BALLET HOSTS ‘MAD HATTER’S PICNIC’
IN BATTERSEA PARK
Characters from Wonderland - Scenes from Alice enjoyed a photocall with patron and choreographer, Wayne Sleep, at Battersea Park on Sunday 20th June.
Young members of the public enjoyed a spontaneous workshop with Wayne on the hill, and the crazy hat competition was won by a father from Streatham wearing an attractive raffia chicken on his head! He and his young family were thrilled to win the family ticket for the NYB gala at the London Palladium in September
Photo: Yvette McGreavy
Photo: Yvette McGreavy
NATIONAL YOUTH BALLET HOSTS ‘MAD HATTER’S PICNIC’
IN BATTERSEA PARK
This Father's Day (20th June) why not pack up a picnic and pirouette your way down a rabbit hole to join National Youth Ballet and Wayne Sleep for a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Battersea Park. The UK's leading youth dance company will be showcasing its family friendly production of Wayne Sleep’s Wonderland – scenes from Alice and invite you to join in the fun for free.
Bring your own picnic and spread your feast on a gigantic, oversized gingham table cloth and be entertained by Alice and her friends. A white rabbit will be lending a dancing paw to anyone who fancies a hop, skip and a jump. If your children like to dance then Wayne Sleep will be there to encourage them to pointe their toes and make sure it’s the craziest picnic in town! And the parent wearing the wackiest hat will win a set of tickets to see National Youth Ballet perform.
If you want to join in the fun come to Battersea Park, Albert Gate and we'll be situated between the fountains and bandstand. We’ll be there from midday until four (Wayne Sleep from 1pm – 3pm).
Photo: Yvette McGreavy
Booking for the National Youth Ballet Gala
Sunday 5th September - 7.30 p.m.
Palladium Theatre London Ticket Office: 0844 412 4657.
The show will also be available to book at www.seetickets.com.
E M FORSTER THEATRE, TONBRIDGE SCHOOL, TONBRIDGE, KENT 2010
The talented National Youth Ballet returns to E M Forster Theatre
26th – 28th August 2010. Exciting premiere of Stephen Barlow's Rainbow Bear with Joanna Lumley narrator, based on Michael Morpurgo's book.
Wayne Sleep’s Wonderland – Scenes from Alice, share centre stage in a
magical mixed programme.
26th Aug 6.00 p.m.
27th, 28th Aug Mat. 2.30, Eve 7.30
Box Office: 01732 304241 Now Open
Tickets: Children £9 Adults £15
www.nyb.org.uk
“I have been so impressed by this company’s amazing pieces of real theatre.”
Matthew Bourne OBE Director New Adventures
Street Dance Workshop with NYB 7 – 14 yrs – Wednesday 25th August in the Studio Theatre
E M Forster Theatre. Apply info@nyb.org.uk
Charlie Bruce
Huge congratulations to Charlie Bruce who won the UK version of So You Think You Can Dance on BBC1.
Great to see Drew back on the screen on Saturday. What a fabulous pas de deux he and Charlie danced!
Commiserations to Robbie - so sad to see him go out with a dislocated shoulder
NYB has been so proud to see all three entertaining the country.
Have a great time in Hollywood Charlie!
"I started the nyb when I was 10 years of age. It was my first experience of a large audition and performing in beautiful theatres.
These experiences helped shape me into the dancer that I have become. I will be forever indebted to Jill Tookey
and The National Youth Ballet. I wish the young up and coming NYB dancers all the best and know that they will
also have this truly wonderful experience.
"
Charlie Bruce x
"The National Youth Ballet Company has, without doubt, been one on the most inspiring and creatively developmental environments I have ever experienced. To have that wonderful opportunity at such a young age is totally priceless if you desire a career in the Arts. Jill Tookey is passionately fearless and has inspired me to be the same."
Drew McOnie
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| Charlie in rehearsal for NYB's Old Man of Lochnagar - music by Nigel Hess - choregraphy by Drew McOnie premiered in 2007 at Sadler's Wells. Photos: Mikah Smillie |
Chinese dancer Nicolo Noto
Michelle Breese and Abi Glading who spoke about the gold award
NYB was invited to dance an excerpt from Nutcracker at a lunch in aid of The Duke of Edinburgh Awards at The Dorchester Hotel on Thursday 3rd December. 18 dancers participated in the specially choreographed ten minute piece by Janet Kinson which received rapturous applause from the audience.
Also performing was Lloyd Daniels from X Factor which caused extra excitement for the audience and the young NYB cast.
NYB dancers Abi Glading and Michelle Breese, who are both taking their gold award with the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme were asked to give a speech. The girls spoke extremely well and gave an interesting insight to the achievements involved at this level.
Lloyd Daniels with NYB dancers backstage
Russian Trio. Edward Boulding, Jack Wilcox
and Lucas Hunt
CINDERELLA’S GLASS SLIPPER AND A WONDERFUL NEW CHOREOGRAPHIC AWARD FOR NYB
Cinderella’s glass slipper was presented to Sir Frederick Ashton, on the revival of his Cinderella at The Royal Opera House in 1986.
This gift from the late Sir John Gielgud, has recently been given to Jill Tookey for the National Youth Ballet by Joy Taylor-Smith, Sir John’s cousin. Jill is honoured to be custodian of this precious heirloom and her wish is that the slipper should be an inspiration to aspiring young choreographers emerging through the National Youth Ballet company.
NEW AWARD sponsored by Robin and Jayne Cadbury to encourage NYB’s Aspiring young choreographers.
A beautifully engraved glass plaque, with Cinderella’s slipper and the award winners names, will be presented annually by sponsors Robin and Jayne Cadbury.
This season a new NYB Choreographic Opportunity was offered to NYB Alumnus, Jo Meredith who has been attracting attention as a promising young professional choreographer. Jo was invited to stage a new piece A Cowardly Affair within the NYB season.
Guy Patel, a winner of the senior solo section of the 2009 Choreographic Competition. was invited to perform his street dance piece at all 09 performing venues.
This season the awards were kindly presented on stage at Sadler’s Wells by \Wendy Ellis-Somes ex principal dancer with the Royal Ballet Company. Wendy, who had many connections with Sir Frederick Ashton, will be staging The Royal Ballet’s Cinderella at The Royal Opera House in April 2010.
Jane Cadbury met both winners on stage. NYB thank both Robin and Jayne for this Generous and inspiring award.
Jo Meredith (right) on stage at Sadler's Wells with her Choreographic Award with Jill
Meredith with Wendy Ellis-Somes on stage at
Sadler's Wells
Bronze Statuette
The NYB annual bronze is presented to a dancer dancers, who have given and achieved much during their time with the company. This season the award was presented to two boys, both of whom had enjoyed a wide range of roles over the years and achieved a high standard of technique and performance. Sam Chung, and Jack Allen, both from Tring School for Performing Arts, they hope to go on to dance professionally. NYB wishes them
both every success and hopes that they will keep in touch with the company.
On stage at Sadler's Wells receiving the prestigious NYB Bronze Statuette from Patron, Wayne Sleep
Photography: Fritz Curzon
Summer in the City for Save the Children
This prestigious fund raising event,
sponsored by Hammersons was held at Lincoln's Inn, London in the presence
of HRH The Princess Royal.
National Youth Ballet was delighted to perform 'Young Person's Guide to the
Orchestra' by Benjamin Britten, choreographed by Janet Kinson for over 200
guests at this prestigious event.
The event was attended by Jill Tookey, her son, Mark Fone (Financial Director NYB), Choreographer, Janet Kinson and her husband, Peter Payn and Maria Vasiliou who assisted with rehearsals.
Carlos Acosta with Jill Tookey
Carlos Acosta with NYB dancers
NYB is proud to announce that International ballet star, Carlos Acosta, has become a Patron of National Youth Ballet.
On Sunday 19th May Carlos took class with boys auditioning for NYB's 2008 season. It was a thrilling experience for the dancers aged between 14 - 18 years, who all felt enormously privileged to receive coaching and advice from Carlos, one the best dancers in the world.
Carlos Acosta with NYB dancers
The NYB Company was honoured to perform at The Guildhall for the ISS Charity Dinner on 5th March 2008 in the presence of HRH The Duke of Kent and 250 guests.
ISS (International Social Services) is a unique charity committed to protecting vulnerable children throughout the world. Their focus is on children who are deprived of a normal life within their families, in particular children at risk, unaccompanied minors, victims of trafficking and children who have lost contact with their natural parents.
NYB staged ‘Dances from around the world’. These included ‘English Country Suite’ - choreographed by Judith Harris; Italian Tarantella. choreographed by Diane van Schoor, and finally a Russian Gopak, choreographed by Valerie Sunderland and staged by Maria Vasiliou.
It was a prestigious occasion for the dancers, and the charity event raised a substantial sum of money for International Social Services.
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| Founding Director Jill Tookey MBE (centre) with Janet Kinson (Ass. Director) and NYB dancers cut the 20th anniversary cake made by Eve Lewis. | NYB's 20th Anniversary Cake. | Jill presents Janet Kinson with painting by Lesley Fotherby, Janet Kinson retires after 20 years with NYB and will be greatly missed. The painting features 'Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra' the ballet choreographed by Janet and danced by the company for the 2007 season. |
This is my first involvement with NYB, actually I have been so impressed by
the ambition of the Company. You see it this evening. We are not just
looking at pieces of choreography, we are looking at pieces of theatre and
that's amazing! The sets, the costumes, the commissions, the commissioned
scores and this year for the 20th anniversary to have got permission from
His Royal Highness Prince Charles to make this ballet and commission this
wonderful score by Nigel Hess, to then entrust that to a young and gifted
dancer/choreographer who came up through the ranks of this Company seems to
me to be very much in the spirit of the Company. I think everyone on stage
tonight has done an amazing job. Congratulations.
I think the person we need to thank the most for everything she has given to
this Company is Jill (Founder and Artistic Director).
Matthew Bourne
Director 'New Adventures'
Matthew Bourne, Drew McOnie, Jill Tookey, Nigel Hess
Congratulations - Jonathan Payn and James Grundy on their promotion to
Senior Soloists with Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Both Jonathan and James first danced with NYB in 1987 - Jonathan created the
lead role of Fisherboy and James the role of Ben in the Ballet 'Fisherboy',
music composed by Alan Ridout, choreographeed by Julia Ellis,
Scenario and design: Jill Tookey. The ballet was premiered at Sadler's
Wells.
NYB Alumni flying high
David Webb has recently won a contract with Northern Ballet Theatre - richly deserved for a boy who has worked so hard to achieve his dream.
A Granada television programme ‘With a Little Help From My Friends’ featuring Jennifer Ellison (ex NYB Cinderella) and NYB friends Justin Webb and Sinead Boughey will be screened on Saturday 2nd July at 6.00 p.m.
Jonathan Payn, ex NYB now Soloist Birmingham Royal Ballet and choreographing IKEN for NYB 2005 season, is choreographing his own ballet for BRB ‘Into the Ferment’. The piece features four dancers (three of them ex NYB; Verginia Gersigny, Tyrone Singleton and James Grundy). This will be performed on 15th and 16th June 2005 at Birmingham Hippodrome.
National Youth Ballet final casting auditions for NYB Junior Associates were held at Birmingham Royal Ballet Studios, Birmingham on 1st May, 2005. 53 young dancers, 11 years and under were recalled and 30 dancers (24 girls, 6 boys) cast for roles in ‘Childrens’ Overture’ music Percy Grainger, choreography: Samira Saidi which will form part of NYB’s Autumn performance programme.
Final casting auditions for the main cast were held at ENB studios, London on 8th May. 126 attended and 99 talented dancers cast (80 girls 19 boys). One nine year old, flew from Detroit USA to attend the audition and was successfully cast!
NYB looks forward to its 18th Anniversary season with a colourful and varied programme to celebrate the Company’s ‘Coming of Age’! (18th Season).
Click here for final casting audition photographs.
Congratulations to David Webb for gaining a contract with Northern Ballet Theatre.
Jill thanks the many, many friends and dancers who have kindly written to congratulate her on her MBE awarded for "services to dance" in the Queen's Birthday Honours.
Click here for photographs of Jill receiving her MBE from Her Majesty.
Image: BCA Films
Last November eight young dancers were thrilled to be selected to take part in Clarins' Nationwide launch of two new frangrances which will go on sale on 21st February 2005.
Their input was highly acclaimed and this week sixteen NYB dancers, from all over the country, were invited to participate in the Clarins National Sales Conference at ExCel, Docklands over three days. It was a new experience for the young dancers to interact with such a large audience and they all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Congratulations to Max Westwell and James Streeter for gaining contracts with the English National Ballet Company.
Janet, NYB's resident choreographer, has worked with The Company since 1990 and takes on her new role as Assistant Director this season.
Her work as Resident Choreographer and Repetiteur for NYB includes choreographing Impressions of Sophie, Little Women, Pedro the Parrot, Preparation for the Dance, Colourcrazy, Let Petits Rats, Hansel and Gretel and Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra. She staged The Nativity for 'Joy to the World' at The Royal Albert Hall and has restaged Fisherboy, the Polovtsian Dances for the VE Day celebrations, Just for Fun and Wonderland Scenes from Alice at The Guildhall, London.
Congratulations to alumnus Jennifer Ellison, the winning chef in Gordon Ramsey's 'Hell's Kitchen'. Jennifer is pictured left as Cinderella with NYB Patron Darcy Bussell OBE at the Guildhall, where NYB presented the ballet in aid of Save the Children.
Congratulations to Carrie Johnson on her contract with Birmingham Royal
Ballet!
Everyone at NYB sends love and wishes you deserved success in your career.
Congratulations to Drew McOnie who has been given a professional contract with the International Tour of 'CATS'!
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