English National Ballet is inviting audience members to get closer to the onstage action with workshops at Milton Keynes Theatre this month, writes Georgina Butler.
The dancers of English National Ballet are on their way to the new city to perform the late Kenneth MacMillan’s full-blooded 1974 three-act masterpiece Manon.
The curtain opens on Wednesday October 24 with performances until Saturday October 27 and, if that was not excitement enough, the Company is also holding two workshops for ballet fans to attend.
On Friday October 26, aspiring artists can participate in a live drawing event at Milton Keynes Theatre. From 10am until 4pm, arty folk will have the opportunity to hone their flair for putting pencil to paper by focusing on capturing the dancer’s body in motion during a ballet class.
The day will begin with an open discussion on the nature of live drawing led by specialist visual artist Heidi Wigmore. Participants will then be seated in the auditorium where they will have a unique viewpoint from which to sketch English National Ballet’s dancers while they take their daily ballet class on stage.
In the afternoon, participants will spend time in the inspiring MK Gallery space, developing their initial sketches and further exploring the human body in movement.
English National Ballet’s drawing day costs £40 per person and includes professional feedback on the work created and refreshments. Participants must provide their own dry drawing materials. Although previous drawing experience may, of course, be advantageous, the event is open level and suitable for anyone aged 16 years and up.
Ballet fans aged 16 years and up who have some previous dance experience may be interested in the chance to take part in an on stage adult ballet workshop.
For £30 per person, participants will enjoy dancing centre stage in a ballet class before being taught extracts from Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon by English National Ballet dance artists. Following this, workshop participants will be given a glimpse of English National Ballet’s dancers taking their daily class on stage.
For more information and to book your place on either of these workshops, click here
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