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Royal Ballet will return in October with 100 dancers

Photo credit: JOHN D MCHUGH - Getty Images
Photo credit: JOHN D MCHUGH - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

Since the coronavirus outbreak, we’ve sadly missed the cultural moments we love to watch, from theatre performances to orchestral masterpieces.

Now, one of the largest dance performances to happen worldwide will return, featuring the full company of the Royal Ballet.

It will be socially distanced and adhere to safety restrictions, with dance duets taking place via couples in bubbles.

After a seven month break from performances, the Royal Ballet will make a comeback with 100 dancers and a full orchestra on 9 October, reports the Guardian.

The company has three real-life couples and has created seven more bubbles so dances with close contact can still take place.

Kevin O’Hare, the Royal Ballet’s director, explained to the Guardian: “Emotionally, it feels extraordinary to be returning.”

“We have to be on stage. It is all abut performing on stage as a company, there is nothing greater to us than that… to be there as one. People are feeling quite emotional about it and are desperate for it to happen.”

The fully company last performed on the Covent Garden stage for Swan Lake back in March, ahead of the first lockdown.

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks
Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

“That’s a day etched into my brain,” he continued. “Even though the government had nit announced [it], we all knew it would be the last performance. The audience knew it as well and they were all standing and cheering like they didn’t want us to leave. It was extraordinary.”

The return performance will be broadcast via Vimeo at £16 per household and will be available for 30 days.

Unless restrictions change, a specially invited audience including students and health workers will be present under socially distant measures.

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