Alexander Campbell at the RAD in London. Film: Rich Lakos for Dance Gazette
Issue 10 – June 2024
Alexander Campbell knows how to make an entrance. As a student, he was a medallist at the RAD’s Genée International Ballet Competition (now The Fonteyn). As a young dancer, he rose through the ranks at Birmingham Royal Ballet. And as an assured principal, he crested the peaks of the Royal Ballet’s repertoire – and also helmed his own film and dance projects.
Alexander Campbell knows how to make an entrance. As a student, he was a medallist at the RAD’s Genée International Ballet Competition (now The Fonteyn). As a young dancer, he rose through the ranks at Birmingham Royal Ballet. And as an assured principal, he crested the peaks of the Royal Ballet’s repertoire – and also helmed his own film and dance projects.
Now Alexander is the RAD’s new Artistic Director, and our cover star for this new issue of Dance Gazette. On just his second day in the role, we hustled him around the RAD’s London home, photographer in tow. Just weeks after leaving the stage, he’s making a smooth transition to a strategic role – from Manon to management in one graceful bound.
We showcase another eye-catching Campbell in this issue. The supermodel Naomi Campbell was a keen dancer before being scouted by a model agency. A major new exhibition marking her career prompts us to look at the crossover between models and dancers. Is the stage very different to the catwalk?
And there’s more! We explore the lasting impact of the language used in class, and the life-shifting legacy of both RAD exams and bursaries to The Fonteyn. And we explore how dance crashed the Olympics, as breaking features in the Paris Games this summer. All this plus dance superstar Misty Copeland – we do hope you enjoy the new issue.
David Jays
Editor
Opportunity knocks
Goodbye spotlight, hello Power Point: Alexander Campbell, the Royal Ballet Principal, is the RAD’s new Artistic Director. He tells David Jays that he’s excited for the role ahead.
Walk the line
Eyes up, swaying hips, no smile. Fashion models have used the same fundamental walk to showcase clothes for over a century. But how easy is it? Veronica Horwell joins a catwalk workshop.
In other words
The words we use and hear in dance classes can have a lasting impact – for good and bad. Lyndsey Winship explores how teachers can harness the power of language.
Take your shot
The Fonteyn famously helps dancers grow. But how can the competition share opportunities more widely? Isaac Ouro-Gnao reports on the bursaries making The Fonteyn accessible.
Testing times
100 years on from the first RAD children’s exam, Rosemary Waugh looks at how exams have changed, and how their fundamental principles hold true.
Breaking point
Dance features in the Olympics for the first time this summer, when breakers compete for medals in Paris. But how was breaking chosen, and what will be the impact on the art form? Kaelen Jones reports.
A sheep burst into the room
The RAD has been sending examiners around the world for decades – initially in a world before mobile phones, internet or email. The RAD’s remarkable retired examiners share some unexpected travellers’ tales.
SHORT READS Issue 10 – June 2024
Fresh brand for a fresh era
Why has the RAD refreshed its brand – and what ideas and emotion does the refresh convey?
Read more
Natalie Hall
RAD teacher Natalie Hall won an RAD Award for her ballet classes for the cancer community. But how does dance help cancer patients?
Read more
Jasmin Vardimon
Explore and feed your curiosity, urges the acclaimed choreographer.
Read more
Misty Copeland
The superstar ballerina launches the new season of the RAD podcast.
Read more
Andrew McNicol
Favourite music selected by the commissioned choreographer for The Fonteyn 2024.
Read more
Values added
In the first column in his new Dance Gazette series, Chief Executive Tim Arthur reflects on the RAD’s new set of values – and explains why he’s always ‘happy to help.’
Read more
MORE ISSUES
HEAR THE DANCE
Issue 9 – February 2024
A special music-themed issue: hip-hop, problematic classics, music for old and young students, plus the first ever Dance Gazette Top 40.
TAKING THE STAGE
Issue 8 – October 2023
Go behind the scenes of The Fonteyn and enjoy our audio report from the final. Plus: strikes, cinema stunt action and saying goodbye to dance class.
HOLDING ON
Issue 7 – June 2023
How can we protect dancers’ wellbeing and mental health? What connects dance folk from different countries, styles or generations? Dance Gazette stories to remind you that you’re not alone.
BARYSHNIKOV
Issue 6 – February 2023
We pay tribute to Mikhail Baryshnikov as he receives the RAD’s highest honour: one of the 20th century’s defining dancers who continues to explore 21st-century performance.
WHEN CÉLINE MET STEVEN
Issue 5 – October 2022
The RAD has been a thread through the dancing lives of principal dancers Céline Gittens and Steven McRae. Now both RAD Ambassadors, they share hopes and experiences.
HOME
Issue 4 – June 2022
Celebrating the official opening of the RAD’s new London home, we mark this landmark by asking: what makes dance feel like home?
CLASSIC CARLOS
Issue 3 – February 2022
Few dancers delight a theatre audience like Carlos Acosta. The Cuban star is a classical artist and an undoubted charismatic – and although nudging 50, he continues to test himself and to give a frisson to challenging new work.
FACE ON
Issue 2 – October 2021
An issue all about the face we present to the world. Discover portraits, old masters, puppets, an RAD founder and the surprising history of ballet make-up.
FRESH START
Issue 1 – June 2021
The very first fully digital issue of Dance Gazette is all about embracing change. We explore impactful change: on stage, in sustainability, for young dancers entering the profession. Plus, breakdance!