Genée International Ballet Competition Returns to London, 2005

Sadler’s Wells, London, Sunday 11 September, 2005

The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) prepares to welcome a record number of 55 candidates to the 2005 Genée International Ballet Competition in their bid to contribute to the artistic integrity of the capital. After an absence of four years, the Genée returns to London in September following competitions in Sydney, Australia, Birmingham, England and the 2004 competition which took place in Athens in the run up to the last Olympics. Candidates from countries all over the world including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and South Africa will travel to London to take part in this event which will be celebrated with guest performances by Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur.

The Genée is a demanding competition attracting some of the finest young dancers and promotes and rewards standards of excellence in young ballet dancers aged 19 years and under from all over the world. It offers competitors the experience of working with world-renowned teachers and choreographers and the opportunity to dance at prestigious international venues. Candidates will spend one week in coaching at the RAD before competing for one of the sought after places in the Final. The Final will be held at Sadler’s Wells the home of British Ballet and a theatre with a history of bringing the very best international and UK dance to London audiences.

This year the competitors will have the chance to work with Michael Corder, one of Britain's most prolific and outstanding choreographers and fittingly, London born and bred. With a dancing career spanning 20 years during which he performed many principal roles, in ballets created by Petipa, Bournonville, Fokine, Ashton, Macmillan, Cranko and Balanchine; he understands better than anyone the commitment and hard work that will be required from these young dancers during the week long preparation. The Royal Academy of Dance is delighted to announce that Michael Corder has agreed to
choreograph two exclusive variations, Danse Galante (male) and Danse Coquette (female) for the competition.

The Royal Academy of Dance is also delighted to welcome the celebrated Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur to perform Impromptu. Originally created in 1982 by Derek Dean to showcase the talent of Dame Antoinette Sibley, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and David Wall, it has since become an acclaimed piece and has been performed to audiences over the world. Oaks and Edur have both danced in many classical and modern ballets by some of the worlds greatest choreographers. In 1990 they were together awarded the Best Couple Prize at the Jackson Mississippi International Ballet Competition, received the Best Partnership award by London Critics’ Circle (2002) and were both awarded with the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance (2004). Impromptu will be performed to audiences whilst the judging panel of established dance professionals decide upon the 2005 Genée Bronze, Silver and Gold Medallists and the climax of the evening will be an award ceremony, announcing the winners of the prestigious medals.

Press
To obtain images, arrange press tickets or interviews please contact the RAD Press Office: Sarah Ball, Press Officer
tel: +44 (0)20 7326 8044
fax: +44 (0)20 7924 2311
email pressoffice@rad.org.uk
www.geneeballetcompetition.com

Notes for Editors

Semi-finals
Thursday, 8 & Friday, 9 September 2005
Royal Academy of Dance, 36 Battersea Square, London SW11 3RA
Tickets for the Semi-finals are now available through the Marketing Department.
Please contact Sabrina Avellini
tel: +44 (0) 20 7326 8051
fax: +44 (0) 20 7924 3129
email: savellini@rad.org.uk

Final
11 September
Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
Tickets for the Final are available online at: www.sadlerswells.com or direct from the Box Office tel: +44 (0)870 737 7737

5.30pm Doors, 6.00pm Performance starts
If you would like help booking online call 0870 7333 900 Monday to Saturday, 9am - 8.30pm or email: ticket.office@sadlerswells.com

Medals
Gold £5,000 (Male & Female Award)
Silver £3,000 (Male & Female Award)
Bronze £2,000 (Male & Female Award)

The Genée International Ballet Competition was first staged in 1931 and is named in honour of Dame Adeline Genée, co-founder and first President of the Royal Academy of Dance.

In 2002, the competition was held at the Sydney Opera House, the first time the competition had been held outside of London; and attracted a record number of candidates.

The Royal Academy of Dance is a global organisation with 15,500 Members, with offices in 82 countries and headquarters in London. It is the largest ballet examination and teacher education institution in the world.

The Academy’s mission is to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. It seeks to accomplish its mission through educating and training teachers of dance, examining students of ballet, and promoting the study and performance of dance.