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| Robert Parker |
| England’s Birmingham Royal Ballet has its fair share of male candidates for the ‘Swoon’ factor. Not just for looks, but for dancing, too. And there’s no shortage of beautiful, talented girls either. (Are there any male contributors to this site who might want to pay tribute?) I first started to go to BRB performances in 1998, after watching the re-opening of the Royal Opera House on TV. R&J, danced by Durante and Corrella simply blew me away and I wanted more. And suddenly realised that there was this visiting company, coming twice a year, right on my doorstep - what’s more doing R&J at the time. That night I saw Kevin O’Hare and Monica Zamora in the title roles, came away emotionally drained and was hooked. Since then I have attended every BRB performance when they come to my patch. So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Swoon factor males – well, for starters, Sergiu Pobereznic (don’t ask me how to pronounce it!), Dominic Antonucci, Chi Cao (for sheer virtuoso/pull-out-all-the stops performance), Tiits Helimets, Iain Mackay and Robert Parker. But for me, the star is Robert Parker. He is tall but has a neat little body, is a great dancer, is a strong and reliable partner and a very talented actor in the Cooper/Kemp style. He can be romantic (Giselle, R&J), both romantic and funny (Pigeons) cheeky and mischievous (Fille , Coppelia, Way out West), dramatic (Arthur). And 2 years after my first R&J viewing, there he was in 2000 in Romeo & Juliet, breaking hearts in the leading role. He’s still very young, 25 I believe. He joined BRB pretty well straight out of the Royal Ballet School and made Principal within 5 years. He’s also a bit of a Billy Elliot having working class parents from Hull, sent to ballet classes along with his sister (usual story). I last saw him in April in the Dance Connections Gala in Glasgow, performing David Bintley’s Gymnopedies a dance created for Deborah Bull’s ‘A Dancer’s Body’ TV series. He was partnered by Asta Bazeviciute, a new recruit to BRB and a great new partner for him (his usual partners are Dorcas Walters and Rachel Peppin). And then again, in May, in a Friends event in Edinburgh – a rehearsal for Way Out West. Dancers dressed in working gear – Robert in some rather fetching pink body-hugging shorts (sorry – it’s the Swoon factor creeping in!!). Bobby Parker and Nao Sakuma have now both guested with RB. I just hope that the RB don’t snap them up. And now he’s down to do Apollo, among other things, in the coming season. But, but….there other great performers with this company. Chi Cao and Nao Sakuma are building up a brilliant partnership. And Iain Mackay is bound to be the next best thing. Bobby's Girl June 2003 ******************************************************* As the writer wishes to remain anonymous, please contact Mandy if you have any questions, comments, reviews or photos. |
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| ~ Links for Robert Parker ~ |
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| * Birmingham Royal Ballet Official Website * Ballet.co.uk various reviews on Robert and BRB * Criticaldance interview with Robert Parker, 2000 * Ballet.co.uk interview with Robert Parker, 1998 |
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