The Royal Ballet Will Celebrate The Life Of Annette Page In The Linbury Theatre

This March, The Royal Ballet, in association with The Linbury Trust and the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association, presents a celebration of the life of Annette Page in the Linbury Theatre. Featuring interviews, archive films and dancers of The Royal Ballet performing a programme of divertissements, this celebration of Page's life will also include the world premiere of a pas de deux created by choreographer Andrew McNicol, commissioned by The Linbury Trust and performed by Royal Ballet Soloists Olivia Cowley and Nicol Edmonds.

Page, a Principal with The Royal Ballet from 1958 to 1967, died of motor neurone disease (MND) in December 2017, and this programme will include performances of famous solos and pas de deux associated with her. Sally Light, Chief Executive of the MND Association said: 'We were saddened to hear about Annette's death from MND. It's an honour to be involved in this special Royal Ballet event in association with The Linbury Trust celebrating her extraordinary life. We are thankful for the awareness the performance will bring about this devastating disease. Without support like this the MND Association simply would not be able to fund research to find a cure, campaign and raise awareness of MND and provide its vital support services.'

Director of The Royal Ballet, Kevin O'Hare said: 'It's wonderful to be able to celebrate the unique artistry of Annette Page, one of our much-loved ballerinas, with this special tribute. It's a privilege to be collaborating with the Motor Neurone Disease Association and The Linbury Trust in raising awareness of this fatal illness.'

Archive films screened during the course of the evening will include Page performing in Frederick Ashton's Scènes de ballet (1960), and original interviews with Page, talking about her life and career. The programme will also feature Royal Ballet Principals Lauren Cuthbertson and Matthew Ball dancing the Balcony pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet, and Marianela Nuñez performing the 'Fanny Elssler' solo from La Fille mal gardée. Additionally, Itziar Mendizabal and Ryoichi Hirano will dance an extract from The Firebird, with Marianela Nuñez and Gary Avis also performing a pas de deux from The Merry Widow, choreographed by Ronald Hynd, Page's husband of 60 years.

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