Royal Ballet School Dancers Perform in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland With The Royal Ballet
In November 2024, Upper School and Junior Associate dancers from The Royal Ballet School performed with The Royal Ballet in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Taking place at the Royal Opera House, this ballet by Christopher Wheeldon marks one of several performances that the dancers are currently involved in. Upcoming productions include Cinderella, MaddAddam, and Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker. The latter will take place both in Birmingham and at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Four of the Alice dancers — Edoardo, Sean, Axel, and Pietro — have shared behind-the-scenes insights into their experiences performing in the ballet. The four had a fantastic time, all the way from castings and fittings to dress rehearsals and their performances onstage.
Hearing From The Royal Ballet School Performers
Edoardo’s Experience
Performing in Alice was Edoardo’s first experience working with The Royal Ballet, which was “really exciting” for him. He and Sean enjoyed playing comedic roles as part of the hedges, which contributed to the fantastical atmosphere of the staging.
Edoardo enjoyed performing in a ballet where “everything in the production is important in telling the story — from the dancers to even the smallest set pieces.”
“It was amazing to work with such talented dancers and see how much effort everyone put into the production,” he says. He was fascinated by how the professional dancers reacted when things went wrong so that the audience didn’t notice mishaps.
“You realise that mistakes happen, but the professionals handle it so naturally,” he says. “It’s great to witness that level of composure.”
Edoardo, Axel, and Pietro all highlighted the first performance as a particularly special one. “The first show was surreal,” Edoardo says. “I had been dreaming of performing at the Royal Opera House, and to finally do it — it was incredible.”
Sean’s Experience
As parts of the hedges, Sean and Edoardo had first-row seats in most of the third act. One of Sean’s favourite memories of this is trying not to laugh during the Queen of Hearts’ comedic rose adage parody.
“It’s always a joy to experience interaction between us, the students, and the company dancers we admire as they make jokes and make us feel like a part of the production,” he says.
Axel’s Experience
Having always watched the School’s Pre-professional Year students perform with The Royal Ballet, performing with the company himself was “a dream come true” for Axel. He found it “incredible” to experience the behind-the-scenes process and watch the production elements come together into a captivating show.
Pietro’s Experience
Pietro found it helpful to experience the workings of a ballet at a professional level. “It really helps us understand what to expect when we move into the professional world,” he says.
He and Axel were part of the court in the production, which meant they had important roles to play as the Queen of Hearts’ supporters. “It was fun… because we also got to show our emotions through our movements,” Pietro says.
However, Pietro had to take on a new role, becoming one of the cards, at the last minute. Although he didn’t have much time to prepare for this, he was glad of how helpful the other dancers were.
“It was nerve-wracking, but it worked out in the end,” he says. “Being thrown into the deep end like that made me realise how important it is to stay calm and adapt when something unexpected happens.”
Performance Opportunities at The Royal Ballet School
Performance experience is central to the training dancers follow at The Royal Ballet School. Instructors ensure each student receives the physical and mental support they need to prepare for careers both on and off the stage.
The School enjoys close relationships with The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. Because of this, students have opportunities to perform on some of the country’s most prestigious stages. When they perform on these stages, they learn how to translate ballet vocabulary into compelling experiences for audiences.
On top of these performance opportunities, students perform at in-School showcases and other public events. These events include the celebrated Summer Performances, which involve five shows at Opera Holland Park and a matinée show on the main stage of the Royal Opera House. A full orchestra accompanies the matinée performance.
Read more about performance opportunities at The Royal Ballet School.
About The Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is dedicated to expanding access to professional ballet training. Its comprehensive programmes, including its full-time training, enable students from all backgrounds to excel in classical ballet.
The full-time programme provides a comprehensive curriculum combining rigorous dance education with academic studies. Additionally, the School prioritises student wellness through its world-leading Healthy Dancer Programme.
Many graduates join renowned dance companies including The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet. The School has produced distinguished dancers like Kenneth MacMillan, Darcey Bussell, and Lauren Cuthbertson.
