The Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia have announced the first co-production between the two companies. Established choreographer Christopher Wheeldon has worked on a new ballet named Strapless, which recently received its world premiere in London. The piece was part of an all-Wheeldon mixed programme which also included After the Rain and Within the Golden Hour. The Bolshoi will consequently stage the same programme in 2017.
Wheeldon is the Royal Ballet’s Artistic Associate; in combining forces with the Bolshoi Theatre this act nods to the close association between the two companies, fused by a new production to be staged by them both. Two such historic organisations which have seen some incredible creative talents working in dance, music and design, will now see their legends combined. The pair have a long-term relationship through many years of collaboration however February marked the first co-production through Wheeldon’s new choreography. As a leading choreographer of his generation, it is clear Strapless will develop further ahead of its transition to Russia.
The co-production of Strapless is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia, with other recent activities including the annual World Ballet Day, a live digital stream behind the scenes of the world’s-leading ballet companies and the Royal Ballet’s tour to the Bolshoi Theatre in 2014. The Bolshoi Ballet returns to the Royal Opera House in July this year for a three week residency marking the 60th anniversary of its first visit in 1956, demonstrating that art only developed through collaboration and the production of new work.
The Bolshoi Ballet will visit London specifically from 25 July through to 13 August, along with the orchestra of the Bolshoi Theatre, for a three week season of Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Taming of the Shrew, Flames of Paris and Le Corsaire.