English National Ballet is delighted to return to UK, touring this autumn at Mayflower Theatre from Wednesday 30 November to Saturday 3 December with Raymonda by Artistic Director, Tamara Rojo CBE.
Updating the ballet’s setting to the Crimean War and drawing inspiration from the ground-breaking spirit and work of the women supporting the war effort, including Florence Nightingale, Raymonda is recast as a young woman with a calling to become a nurse.
Starring a huge cast of dancers, including Brooklyn Mack, who trained at Pavlovich Dance School and Kirov Academy of Ballet, Washington.
He made his Company debut with English National Ballet in 2015 as Lankendem and then Conrad in Anne-Marie Holme’s Le Corsaire. He then returned as Guest Artist in 2019, dancing once more in Le Corsaire, and in Wheeldon’s Cinderella and Eagling’s Nutcracker.
This critically acclaimed adaptation keeps the best of the 19th-century original, including Alexander Glazunov’s score – adapted and edited by Gavin Sutherland and Lars Payne – which is performed live by English National Ballet Philharmonic.
“English National Ballet is committed to bringing world class ballet to the widest possible audience,” says Tamara. “And so I am particularly delighted to return to UK touring, and in particular to Bristol and Southampton with Raymonda – and we can’t wait to perform for audiences at these partner venues.
“Raymonda is a beautiful ballet, with extraordinary music, exquisite and intricate original choreography, but with a female lead who I felt deserved more agency in her own story.
“Working with my incredible creative team I have set Raymonda in a new historical setting to bring something unique, relevant and inspiring for audiences.
“This story is about many themes; duty, war, patriotism, culture, but at its centre are the nurse characters, inspired by Florence Nightingale’s vision, drive and passion.
“Reflecting on recent years we have seen how nurses and many others in the medical sector sacrifice so much to take care of people. I hope this, in some small way, pays homage to them.”
English National Ballet is grateful for the generous grant it has been awarded through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, which allows it to continue to create, perform and serve its audiences.
Tickets for Raymonda (30 November – 3 December) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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