dancers_ollivier

Jonathan
Byrne
Ollivier

Jonathan Byrne Ollivier....his very name is swoonworthy, conjuring images of a dark, Byronic hero. Indeed he has danced heroes and villains during his career at Northern Ballet Theatre, one of the UK’s largest touring companies which is renowned for its dramatic productions. His favourite roles include Tybalt and Romeo in Romeo & Juliet, Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, Jose in Carmen, Crassus in Spartacus and Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, all powerful characters requiring the charismatic stage presence which Jonathan brings to them.

Recently he has also danced the lecherous Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the lovelorn Anthony in Swan Lake, Armand in La Traviata and the swashbuckling Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Such a diversity of roles requires an immense theatrical talent …his most recent performance as Dracula in David Nixon’s new production sent shivers down my spine from the moment he stepped out of his coffin….naked but for a cloud of dry ice!

His dancing has an intensity which makes him a dynamic soloist but he is also a strong, secure partner which is apparent in the beautiful way he supports and presents his ballerina in pas de deux. One of my highlights this year was watching him dance with Keiko Amemori in ‘I Got Rhythm’.... a jazz performance, where they featured in Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue. No-one could feel blue watching these two together!

Jonathan trained at Rambert Dance School and first performed with Cape Town City Ballet in South Africa, where he met his wife, fellow NBT principal Desiree Samaai. They spend much of their time on tour with the Leeds based company, up to 26 weeks a year, so do watch out for Jonathan and his companions on their latest UK tour.

Mandy Kent *** October 2005

Capt. Hook - Peter Pan
Photo copyright NBT

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Requiem Programme Cover
Photo copyright NBT

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Wuthering Heights Programme
Photos copyright NBT

Rehearsals for La Traviata - Ollivier and Samaai
Photos copyright NBT

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As Stanley in A Street Car Named Desire
Photo by Brian Slater

Biography & Northern Ballet Theatre Site

    Articles:               What Dreams Are Made Of // Interview
                                Not All Tutus and Tights // Swan Lake Interview
                                        Death in a Merry Dance // Requiem Interview
                                        Requiem // Preview& Interview
                                        National Dance Awards // Nomination 2003

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Ollivier and Tolmer
I've Got Rhythm - copyright NBT