MASTERCLASS WITH ANNA ROSE O’SULLIVAN
AND STEVEN McRAE
ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
8TH DECEMBER 2024
What better place for LBC members on a rainy Sunday than in a warm studio with a panoramic view of the south London skyline? Thanks to Vanessa Fenton, ten ballet enthusiasts were invited to come along to watch.
Twenty-five dancers, a mixture of professionals, vocational students and eager amateurs, took their places at the barre for a warmup class taught by Vanessa. As they would be learning Nutcracker Act II Pas de Deux following the class, Vanessa concentrated on preparing the dancers for balances and pirouettes. It was fascinating to watch the dancers responding to her encouragement, helpful hints and good humour. Moving to the centre, there was adage, lots of movement and jumping to complete the class.
Royal Ballet Principals Anna Rose O’Sullivan and Steven McRae then took over and taught the beginning and ending of the pas de deux. It was a real treat to watch these two superb dancers, who obviously have a very happy friendship as well as partnership, demonstrating the intricacies of this piece. It looks easy but it’s a difficult pas de deux and requires strength, sensitivity to one another on the part of the ballerina and her prince, and confidence. As Steven said, “what’s the worst that can happen … you fall. We all do”. As they worked together, one could see the dancers “going for it” and the improvement in both their technique and confidence over the two hours.
Anna Rose and Steven worked individually with each couple, he, helping the men to make his ballerina feel secure and she, giving the women valuable advice in how to make their dancing look ethereal and how to let their partners know what they need. Always stressing the importance of the connection between the partners and using lots of imagery, Anna Rose and Steven left the class with a huge sense of accomplishment and a day they’ll never forget. It was a day that the fortunate LBC members in attendance will not forget either!
SDE
Copyright London Ballet Circle
