Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and classical dance: Mariinski Ballet writes a page of history
THE Mariinski Ballet plans a dazzling three-week run at the Royal Opera House this summer
The Mariinski Ballet, the traditional cradle of the world’s classical technique, leaves little doubt about its mission in life.
Its three week Royal Opera House season (July 28 - August 16) relishes unashamed history as well as worldwide favourites, like Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake.
But this year the work on show is more than a celebration of a much loved art form.
The Mariinski is writing a page of its own in British ballet history.
Four years ago in the Royal Ballet’s Tales of Beatrix Potter, you may have spotted Xander Parish named as Mother Pig, but otherwise anonymous in complete full porcine head mask.
This year on the same ROH stage he makes his London debut not only in such starry leading roles as Romeo and in the title role of Balanchine’s Apollo, but as Siegfried in Swan Lake, the ultimate, and the world’s favourite, classical ballet.
I cannot say what it means to me to be dancing the great classical ballets, especially Swan Lake, on the stage where I first performed as a student at 13
At the age of 24, Yorkshire born Parish was asked to join the Mariinski Ballet in St Petersburg by director Yuri Fateev, who took on the role of mentor, supervising his physical training and artistic development.
“He is the right shape,” Fateev explains, "and he has a thirst for work, in class he never stops trying.” The result will be there on stage in Covent Garden for us all to appreciate.
“This is my first outing to London in these major roles,” says Parish, 28.
“I cannot say what it means to me to be dancing the great classical ballets, especially Swan Lake, on the stage where I first performed as a student at 13.”
He goes on “It is impossible to know where I would be now in the Royal Ballet if I had stayed but I wouldn’t change my time in Russia for anything.
"I would love to dance again with the Royal Ballet, though,” he adds, “probably not as Mother Pig.”
He is looking forward most to seeing his parents and sister Demelza. “After the London season,” he says, “I am off back to Yorkshire with my parents and sister.”
It took the Mariinski nearly 300 years to reach its current peak of excellence, Britain needed less than 100 to blossom on the global dance stage.
A poll recently showed just 35 per cent of the nation’s population was “very proud” to be British.
Perhaps the “no” voters should visit Covent Garden in the summer and watch Xander Parish prove how wrong they were.
For tickets and enquiries roh.org.uk/mariinsky
