My First Ballet Collection - DVD

This box set includes a special collection of classic performances from The Royal Ballet. In the feature-length documentary Essential Royal Ballet, Katie Derham introduces carefully curated excerpts from productions that span the history of ballet and goes behind the scenes to see what it takes to be a dancer in The Royal Ballet as they prepare to take to the stage. With stunning solos, passionate pas de deux and jaw-dropping numbers for the corps de ballet, Essential Royal Ballet is a chance to see the Company's much-loved dancers past and present up close. Including many favourites from the likes of Carlos Acosta, Marianela Nuñez, Natalia Osipova, Steven McRae, Francesca Hayward and Matthew Ball, the artists share stories of their life on the stage and thoughts on what these celebrated ballets mean to them. In Pas de Deux the 'steps for two' so central to the form of ballet are celebrated further in 16 exceptional examples from The Royal Ballet's repertory. A collection from across the Company's heritage and contemporary classics, Pas de Deux demonstrates the choreographic diversity, technical brilliance, show-stopping spectacle and artistry for which The Royal Ballet is acclaimed around the world.

Ballet for Life was a unique collaboration between three cultural brands Queen, Versace and the visionary choreographer Maurice Bejart, celebrating the life and talents of legendary performers, Freddie Mercury and dancer Jorge Donn, both of whom died of AIDS. Features two programs the documentary by Lynne Wake and Simon Lupton, and a full 1997 performance of the ballet by the Bejart Ballet of Lausanne. In a limited edition DVD book package. 100% of royalties payable by Eagle Rock Entertainment to Tonleigh Ltd will be donated to The Mercury Phoenix Trust fighting AIDS worldwide.

This special collection includes three Royal Ballet performances of Tchaikovsky's beloved masterpieces Anthony Dowell's majestic production of the beautiful and romantic tragedy Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty in it's detailed re-creation by Monica Mason of the landmark 1946 production, and Peter Wright's classic production of the quintessential Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. These spectacular and iconic ballets present the virtuosity and skill of the whole Company. InchOsipova was riveting throughout... [Golding] demonstrates real brilliance and prowess.Inch (Swan Lake - The New York Times) Inchfresh and reinvigorated - Nutcrackers come and Nutcrackers go but the Royal Ballet's version is a hardy perennial. Peter Wright's version of Lev Ivanov's original 1892 ballet has undergone changes since it's debut in 1984 but it remains the one by which all others must be judged. Francesca Hayward dances like a dream child as Clara, expressive, musical and guileless and is ably partnered by Alexander Campbell as Hans-Peter.Inch (The Nutcracker - The Stage) InchIf you want spectacle at the ballet then this Sleeping Beauty is for you. Based on the opulent production that reopened the Royal Opera House after the Second World War, Monica Mason and Christopher Newton's staging is a sumptuous homage to the splendour of the French court of Louis XIV. With so much richness on stage, in costumes, sets and the sheer number of courtiers and fairytale characters, the view from the stalls is full to bursting.Inch (The Sleeping Beauty - The Times)