For the first time ever, English National Ballet will be dancing on board a Cunard cruise ship thanks to a new partnership established by the two organizations. Six English National Ballet company dancers including Lead Principal Erina Takahashi and First Soloist James Streeter will be on the August 11, 2019 Queen Mary 2 westbound transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England to New York dubbed “Dancing the Atlantic”.
Guests will have a unique insight into the behind-the-scenes happenings of a world-class ballet company. There will be opportunities to view company classes and rehearsals and participate in dance workshops run by the professionals, as well as Insight talks which will provide cruisers a chance to learn about the life of a professional ballet dancer. Of course, they will also be witness to the culmination of all the hard work in a spectacular performance at the ship’s Royal Court Theatre. The program includes highlights from ballet classics such as Swan Lake and Le Corsaire as well as from contemporary works such as Akram Khan’s Dust.
“We are so excited to have the English National Ballet onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 in 2019,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “For the first time ever, guests will be able to interact with the English National Ballet on the ocean with world-class performances and intimate experiences that will only further enhance the elegance and romance of the Cunard Transatlantic Crossing.”
The Queen Mary 2 is Cunard’s flagship vessel touting luxury, elegance, and an unparalleled experience. Thus, it seems fitting that they have developed a relationship with Tamara Rojo’s English National Ballet, a ballet company that is up to withholding the standards set by the cruise line.
“English National Ballet is thrilled to be partnering with Cunard on this exciting voyage,” said Patrick Harrison, executive director of the English National Ballet. “Guests will get to experience the joy of ballet including performances and glimpses of behind-the-scenes. We’re very much looking forward to sharing our art form with the guests on board Queen Mary 2.”
Source for English National Ballet Will “Dance the Atlantic” on Cunard Cruise Lines: Cunard
