Katia Kapustin

MRR reviewed both performances in great detail and there's not much more I can add. This particular (Acosta) version of Don Q. is perhaps better served when the principal roles are danced by dancers of Latin origin such as Acosta and Nunez. On Saturday eve Akane Takada danced with Yasmine Naghdi as "Kitri's Friends". They were animated, expressive and sensual as well as great technicians. I really don't get it when MRR describes them as "bland". Takada is a lovely dancer, a little bit more reserved yes, and Naghdi danced her role with great aplomb and was full of sensuality. I also loved Naghdi's performance as "Amour" the other day (I'd already spotted her during the rehearsal). She has a beautiful clean technique and her elegant, expressive arms reminded me of Russian ballerinas. Her fast footwork and fleetness brought much to the role of "Amour". She was one of the stand-outs that night. Overall the RB's Don Q. was enjoyable to watch (one Principal cast more than the other) and I am very much looking forward to seeing them again in NYC!

Thank you for the review MRR. I am looking forward to your review of tonight's performance.

Correction: Yasmine Naghdi and Francesca Hayward are already Soloists (not First Artists/Corps) In New York Yasmine Naghdi will be dancing a Principal role in Wayne McGregor's "Infra". I believe her partner will be Matthew Ball. Francesca Hayward is also dancing a Principal role, in the same work. James Hay will be dancing "Le Train Bleu". Other Royal Ballet School trained dancers to watch out for in New York are Marcelino Sambe, Luca Acri, Calvin Richardson, Valentino Zucchetti, Claire Calvert, Trystan Dyer, and of course Principals Vadim Muntagirov, Steven Mcrae, Laura Morera, Edward Watson and Lauren Cuthbertson. Naghdi, Hayward, Hay, Calvert (Soloists), Watson and Cuthbertson (Principals) and Ball (Artist) were fully trained at the RBS since age 11. The others joined at Upper School level, at the age of 16. http://davidhkochtheater.com/moreinfoRB.html

The Royal Ballet has been filing up its ranks with many dancers coming out of The Royal Ballet School since Mr. Kevin O'Hare became a Director. As a matter of fact, the ranks up to and including Soloist level already have a majority of RBS trained dancers. Over the next couple of years the First Soloist rank will also fill up with RBS trained dancers as several Soloists are being prepared for First Soloist level. Out of those, several will reach Principal level, but it takes time to build up a Company from the bottom upwards. Those days when the RB hired dancers mostly from abroad are no longer since the AD changed a few years ago.

http://www.prixdelausanne.org/community/partners/#tab3 The Royal Ballet is one of the many partners of the Prix de Lausanne, just as there are many ballet schools partnering with Prix. Some winners will take up the offer to join a particular partner Ballet school, or an apprenticeship with a professional ballet company. The Royal Ballet has also taken on over five Apprentices from The Royal Ballet School who'll be joining for a year, besides Julian Mackay. It gives a young dancer the opportunity to observe, learn and work alongside professional dancers. An Apprenticeship does not offer a guarantee of permanent employment. That is entirely at a Director's discretion once an Apprentice's year has expired.

http://www.prixdelausanne.org/schools-and-companies-chosen-by-the-2015-prix-de-lausanne-prize-winners/ Julian MacKay was offered an apprenticeship for one year, he will be joining the RB as a "Prix de Lausanne" Apprentice.