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Darcey's Ballet Heroes

Former ballerina Darcey Bussell celebrates male ballet, with archive footage, backstage access, visits to rehearsal studios and interviews with some of the great male dancers.

Former Royal Ballet prima ballerina and latterly Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell celebrates male ballet dancing with the help of some its greatest exponents, including Arthur Mitchell (founder of the Dance Theatre of Harlem), Anthony Dowell, Peter Schaufuss, Irek Mukhamedov and Carlos Acosta.

In the 19th century, male dancers were overshadowed by newly arrived prima ballerinas, but since then they have made a spectacular comeback. With archive footage and personal anecdotes, unique access backstage and visits to rehearsal studios in London, Copenhagen, New York and beyond, Darcey Bussell hears the story of male ballet from dancers who have dedicated their lives to ballet and transformed the art of dance.

59 minutes

Last on

Sun 15 Mar 202023:15

Music Played

  • Mark Ermler, The Orchestra of The Royal Opera House, Covent Garden

    The Nutcracker, Op. 71: No. 13, Waltz of The Flowers

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterDarcey Bussell
ParticipantIrek Mukhamedov
ParticipantAnthony Dowell
ParticipantNikolaj Hubbe
ParticipantPeter Schaufuss
ParticipantLuke Schaufuss
ParticipantArthur Mitchell
ParticipantCarlos Acosta
ParticipantWayne McGregor
ParticipantMatthew Bourne
ParticipantStephen Daldry
ParticipantEdward Watson
ParticipantEric Underwood
ParticipantJulie Kavanagh
ParticipantClement Crisp
ParticipantJoan Acocella
ParticipantJudith Mackrell
DirectorMike Christie
WriterMike Christie
ProducerRoss MacGibbon
Executive ProducerFiona Morris
Production CompanyLeopard Films

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