English Youth Ballet’s Swan Lake comes to NNUH

Dancers from the English Youth Ballet are visiting the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) to perform scenes from Swan Lake for patients, visitors and staff on Friday 21st February.

The performance takes place before the show runs at the Norwich Theatre Royal on 7th and 8th March, where the cast will also be fundraising for NNUH Hospital Arts Project. The Hospital Arts Project charity aims to provide a positive health care setting and healing environment for patients, staff and visitors through a wide-ranging programme of arts.

Two principal dancers from the English Youth Ballet will be performing the famous story of rivalry between the seductive evil Black Swan, Odile, and the beautiful but vulnerable White Swan Odette, as they compete for the affections of the Prince. The performance will also include discussions with the dancers and a teacher from the English Youth Ballet.

Emma Jarvis, Hospital Arts Coordinator at NNUH, said: “We are really excited to welcome the fabulous dancers from the English Youth Ballet into the hospital to put on a show for our patients, relatives and staff to enjoy. Dance is a great distraction for our patients whilst they are in hospital and helps to lift the spirits of everyone watching. We are extremely grateful to the English Youth Ballet and Norwich Theatre Royal for making this performance possible.”

John Bultitude, from the Norwich Theatre Royal, said: “We are delighted that English Youth Ballet have agreed to entertain the patients at the hospital. It will be a slightly unusual environment for them to perform in, but we hope it will bring the magic and excitement of Swan Lake to a brand new audience and put a smile on the faces of the patients.”

The performance is taking place in the East Atrium Level 1 from 10am – 11am on Friday 21 February.

Photo Opportunity:

Photographers and members of the press are welcome to attend the performance and should report to reception at East In-patients Level 1 at 9:45am on Friday 21st February.

Notes to editors:

The policy of the English Youth Ballet is to perform full length productions of classical ballet in UK regional theatres, and to give young dancers outside London the opportunity to perform within a professional setting. English Youth Ballet’s professional principal dancers lead the pageantry of a large cast of up to 100 young talented regional dancers.