Carlos Acosta inspires the next generation

In a rare break from rehearsals for forthcoming performances of Giselle and Swan Lake, Principal Guest Artist with The Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta visited the Lower School, White Lodge on Wednesday 12 January.

made his first ever visit to the Lower School, White Lodge on Wednesday 12 January. Accompanied by The Royal Ballet School’s Assistant Director, Jay Jolley, the Cuban ballet legend was taken on a tour of the site which included the historic King’s Pavilion and the White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource Centre.

The visit culminated with a surprise visit to the Year 7 boys’ daily ballet class which was being filmed as part of a forthcoming ITV1 documentary entitled The Children of Britain. Mr Acosta watched the class and then talked to the boys - aged between 11 and 12 - sharing with them insights and tips about technique and training. He answered the many questions put to him by the students and inspired them with his reminiscences about his own personal experiences as a young ballet student in Cuba.

The Children of Britain is being made by Mentorn Media and is part of the Perspectives series which encompasses single, factual films from a variety of film-makers and, on occasion, presenters, offering their views on subject matter ranging from life in Britain today to the Arts.


Pictured: White Lodge teacher Hope Keelan introduces Carlos Acosta to the Year 7 boys, following their morning ballet class

Photo: Patrick Baldwin