Principal dancer Robert Parker announces 2006/07 season his last

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Principal dancer Robert Parker announces 2006/07 season his last

Birmingham Royal Ballet announces Robert Parker is to leave the Company at the end of the 2006/07 Season. Robert will leave the Company to train in the United States as a commercial airline pilot.

Robert Parker was born in Hull and began dancing at the age of seven. He trained at the Royal Ballet schools and joined Birmingham Royal Ballet upon graduation in August 1994. He was promoted to First Artist in 1997, Soloist in 1998 and Principal in 1999.

Robert’s charismatic stage presence and energy have led choreographers to create a number of roles on him, including the Sailor in The Nutcracker Sweeties, Hamlet in The Shakespeare Suite, Orpheus in The Orpheus Suite, Arthur and Mordred in Arthur, leading roles in The Protecting Veil and Sanctum, and recently the Beast in Beauty and the Beast and the title role in Pulcinella.

Since joining the Company, Robert has also excelled in a number of roles including the Young Man in The Two Pigeons, Siegfried in Swan Lake, the Hoofer in Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, Will Mossop and Fred Beenstock in Hobson's Choice, and In the Upper Room.

Robert was nominated for Olivier and Critics’ Circle Awards during 2001 and in 2003 was given the Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Male Artist. During his 13 years with BRB, Robert has danced in most of the Company’s repertoire including Coppélia (Franz), The Nutcracker (Prince), Agon, 'Still Life' at the Penguin Café (Texas Kangaroo Rat), The Sleeping Beauty (Prince Florimund, Bluebird) The Cage, Song of the Earth, Baiser de la fée, Theme and Variations, Le Tricorn, Bright Young Things, La Fille mal gardée (Colas), The Four Temperaments (Melancholic Variation), Duo Concertant, Grosse Fuge, Scènes de ballets, Symphony in Three Movements, Far from the Madding Crowd (Gabriel Oak) and Carmina burana.

Robert Parker said: 'It’s not been an easy decision but I am lucky that flying is something I am as passionate about as dancing. I have been with the Company for over ten years and have always had the idea that I want to go out on a high. There is no bigger adrenalin rush than the applause at the end of the performance and I will miss that as well as everyone who has supported me through my time with Birmingham Royal Ballet.'

Robert will create the title role in David Bintley's new production of Cyrano, which receives its World Premiere on Wednesday 7th February.

ENDS

For further press information please contact:
Angela Hughes on 0121 245 3549; E-mail: AngelaHughes@brb.org.uk
Simon Harper on 0121 245 3562; Email: SimonHarper@brb.org.uk

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