Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards

Royal Ballet School former student Sergei Polunin today scooped the top prize for Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards held at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden. The glittering event was hosted by broadcaster and journalist Angela Rippon with the Paul Hamlyn Hall packed with the great and the good of the dance world. Sergei received his award from fellow Royal Ballet School alumnus and ballet legend, David Wall.

Among the other awards presented were: Alexander Grant (de Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement), Richard Bonynge (Patron’s Award) Leanne Benjamin (Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer). A full list of winners can be found at:

http://www.nationaldanceawards.com/press/21-01-2010.htm

Ukrainian born Polunin joined The Royal Ballet Lower School at White Lodge in 2003 aged just 13. In 2006, he won both the Prix de Lausanne (including the Audience Award) and the Youth America Grand Prix and a year later was named Young British Dancer of the Year. He graduated from the Upper School in 2007 to join The Royal Ballet where he was promoted to First Soloist in 2009.

(Photo: courtesy of Patrick Baldwin)