2 3 Throwback Thursday and Wayne Sleep | Ballet Webb

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Throwback Thursday and Wayne Sleep


Throwback Thursday and Wayne Sleep

Wayne Sleep is only 5’2”, and is known as the shortest male dancer ever admitted to the Royal Ballet School.  He joined the company in 1966 and soon became known for his unique abilities in performing character roles.  He also had many parts choreographed for him. His distinctive style, acrobatic ability and talent for humor makes his performances memorable.

His career extends beyond the ballet stage into film (1979’s Great Train Robbery) and television, and in 1982 Andrew Lloyd Webber adapted a portion of his Variations album for Sleep as part of the stage show Song and Dance.  He is mentioned several times in the film Billy Elliot.

Recently he has been on cooking shows in Britain and in 2013 he joined ITV’s dance show Stepping Out as a judge.

In 1973, he performed an entrechat-douze (twelve beats or six crossings) and set a world record that still stands today.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #57:  
Wayne Sleep was the shortest male dancer ever admitted to the Royal Ballet School.

                Link of the Day:

Quote of the Day:
““Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher

                Help expand the knowledge base!
 Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas, or images that worked best for you!


No comments:

Post a Comment