News Story
After an extraordinary 23-year career, Birmingham Royal Ballet Principal Samara Downs steps down from the stage as one of the Company's leading dancers to begin a new chapter as Répétiteur.
Since joining BRB in 2003 and becoming a Principal in 2016, Samara has captivated audiences in an extraordinary range of classical and contemporary works. She has performed many of ballet's most celebrated roles, including Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Swanilda in Coppélia, and Katherina in The Taming of the Shrew. Alongside her acclaimed performances, Samara has also created numerous roles for BRB, helping to shape the Company's artistic legacy through her talent, dedication and creativity.
Image gallery
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Samara Downs as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Tyrone Singleton as the Prince in The Nutcracker.
© 2020 Credit : Johan Persson
Samara Downs and Tom Rogers in Strangers in the Night from Nine Sinatra Songs.
© 2019 Credit : Bill Cooper
Samara Downs as Mercedes and Lachlan Monaghan as Espada in Don Quixote.
© 2026 Credit : Tristram Kenton
Samara Downs as Myrtha, Queen of the Willis, in Giselle.
© 2019 Credit : Bill CooperCongratulations, Samara! We are delighted that your wealth of experience and artistry will continue to enrich BRB in this next chapter.
Don't miss the opportunity to see Samara take her final bow as a Principal Dancer in the evening performance on Saturday 20 June 2026 as part of our 20th-Century Masterpieces triple bill, where she will perform in Birthday Offering and The Green Table. Samara also performs in the evening performance on Friday 19 June and in Sir Peter Wright Centenary on 18 June. Book your tickets now!
