Rising star
Interview: Emma Juhasz JAMES FORBAT, 21, OF THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET REVEALS HOW HE MADE THE LEAP FROM DANCING IN HIS LIVING ROOM TO THE STAGE OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON Who inspired you to dance? My auntie performed with a professional dance company until she was 24, but it was my mum who [...]
Interview: Emma Juhasz
JAMES FORBAT, 21, OF THE ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET REVEALS HOW HE
MADE THE LEAP FROM DANCING IN HIS LIVING ROOM TO THE STAGE OF
THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, LONDON
Who inspired you to dance?
My auntie performed with a
professional dance company
until she was 24, but it was
my mum who sent me to
dance classes when I was
three – I think she got fed
up of me dancing around the living room.
When did you turn professional?
My dance teacher advised me to go for an
audition at the Royal Ballet School Junior
Associates when I was eight. I got in and
things went from there.
What was the next step?
I auditioned for the Royal Ballet School. There is
a Lower School for 11-16 year olds in Richmond
Park and an Upper School for 16-19 in Covent
Garden, both in London. I was there for the
whole eight years which isn’t guaranteed, as you
have to re-audition for your place each year.
Sounds like they keep you on your toes…
You need to be pretty resilient as it doesn’t work
out for everyone. You’re constantly criticised and
at the end of the year they sent a letter with
your percentage grade, so you knew exactly
where you were ranked.
What was your first major performance?
I was a pageboy in Swan Lake and I had to follow
the queen on to the stage in the first act.
Although I was only nine, I’ve never forgotten it.
What sacrifices do dancers have to make?
I can’t go out and get really drunk, then hope I’ll
get by on a strong cup of coffee the next
morning. I’ve missed out on university and
getting a well-paid job, but then again, I’m
doing something I really love. What can be
better than that?
And your career highlight so far?
What I am doing now. I’m one of two wolves
in The Snow Queen and we dance as either a
two- or threesome, which is obviously more
demanding and exciting than dancing in a group.
What does the future hold?
I’ve always want to play Romeo in Romeo
and Juliet, so I need to get promoted and
then I can live my dream.
Any advice for aspiring dancers?
Work hard and listen to any tips that you’re
given. If your body is not the right shape though
– you need long legs and a well-proportioned
upper body – there’s not much you can do about
it – you’re not going to make it.
James Forbat is starring in The Snow Queen
at the London Coliseum, 11-16 December;
www.ballet.org.uk
FORBAT’S FAVOURITE FAMOUS DANCERS
SYLVIE GUILLEM, 42:
“The greatest dancer ever,”
declares Forbat. The French
ballerina performed with
the Paris Opera Ballet until
1989, when she left to
become the guest principal
dancer with the Royal Ballet in London.
DARCEY BUSSELL, 38:
“Obviously the
all-time greatest British dancer,” says Forbat.
Bussell retired on 8 June 2007 when she was
the principal dancer of The Royal Ballet.
When she was
promoted in December
1989, she was the
youngest ballerina to be
given this honour. She
recently teamed up with
opera singer Katherine
Jenkins for their new
show Viva la Diva.
CARLOS ACOSTA, 34:
“I’m influenced
by so many people that it’s hard to choose
an inspiration, but Carlos is one of the most
fantastic dancers around at the moment,”
Forbat concludes. Cuban-born Acosta has
danced with
numerous
companies including
the English National
Ballet and the National
Ballet of Cuba. He now performs
as an international guest artist
with ballet companies from Russia
and the United States to Chile.
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR BALLET
- The Royal Opera House, London
The Nutcracker, 8 December – 19 January 2008; www.royaloperahouse.org - The Scottish Ballet, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness
The Sleeping Beauty, 11 December – 26 January 2008; www.scottishballet.co.uk -
Dutch National Ballet, Amsterdam
The Sleeping Beauty, 10 – 28 December; www.het-nationale-ballet.nlVisit Flybmi.com to book flights
