Darcey Bussell on why we still need classical ballet

Darcey Bussell in the title role of Sylvia by Sir Frederick Ashton

Cynthia Harvey dancing with Mikhail Baryshnikov in Don Quixote

Aaron S. Watkin

William Forsythe and Aaron S. Watkin rehearsing, Semperoper Ballett

Darcey Bussell at age 17

By Deborah Weiss, 10 February 2023

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“If it’s lasted more than fifty years, it’s for a good reason”

Deborah Weiss, 2nd March

We sit down with Ballet Black’s artistic director Cassa Pancho and dancers Isabela Coracy and Ebony Thomas, to discover the challenges and achievements of the company’s first 25 years.

Former ENB Artistic Director Matz Skoog has died aged 69

Bachtrack, 9th February

The Swedish-born ballet star shaped generations of dancers and left a lasting imprint on British and international ballet.

Ukrainian ballerina Katja Khaniukova honoured

Bachtrack, 22nd January

The Order of Princess Olha was bestowed on her on Ukraine's Day of Unity by the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Force of passion: the origins of Ballet Rambert

Alexander Simpkins, 12th December

A century after its founding in 1926, former members of Ballet Rambert recall the joys and challenges of working directly with Dame Marie Rambert, one of the trailblazers of British ballet.

Inventing the diva: ballet stars of the 19th century

Elsa Giovanna Simonetti, 3rd December

The great ballerinas of the 19th century were perhaps the first modern celebrities. Rather than bare all, their images cultivated a mysterious, supernatural aura that made them seem unattainable.

BRB’s Sofia Liñares on Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker

Bachtrack, 17th November

Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist Sofia Liñares talks about the joys and fears of dancing multiple roles and performances of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker.

Deborah Weiss

Deb joined Bachtrack in 2022 and commissions reviews and writing on ballet and dance. She was Royal Ballet School-trained and is a former principal dancer for companies including London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and Bayerisches Staatsballett. She has been writing for more than 30 years – publications have included Dancing Times, DanceTabs, Dance for You and Dance Europe. She also interviews for Voices of British Ballet, an oral archive of people who have worked in the industry in the UK. In addition to her writing, since 2016 she has been facilitating programmes that support victims of domestic abuse. Deb is passionate about her rescue dog, Bruce, and daughters (not in that order), swims a mile at least five days a week and is an avid reader.

Why we still need classical ballet: Darcey Bussell, Cynthia Harvey and Aaron S. Watkin in conversation