We made an announcement on 22 May 2019 that The Royal Ballet's Principals Steven McRae and Akane Takada are unable to take part in the Company's tour to Japan in June due to injury.
We have been in discussion with the Company regarding the replacement casting and received the statement below from Director Kevin O'Hare to achieve the best possible solution for the new casting for the performances of Don Quixote on Saturday 22 June, 13:00 and 18:00, and Tuesday 25 June, 18:30.
We apologize to our valued audiences who have been anticipating the original casting, but appreciate everyone's kind understanding for the unavoidable situation.
The updated casting for the Gala programme will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
Japan Performing Arts Foundation
＜Casting＞
Saturday 21 June, 18:30
Kitri: Marianela Nuñez
Basilio: Vadim Muntagirov
Mercedes: Laura Morera
Espada: Ryoichi Hirano
Queen of the Dryads: Fumi Kaneko
Saturday 22 June, 13:00
Kitri: Yasmine Naghdi >> Mayara Magri
Basilio: Alexander Campbell
Mercedes: Itziar Mendizabal
Espada: Nicol Edmonds
Queen of the Dryads: Yuhui Choe
Saturday 22 June, 18:00
Kitri: Akane Takada >> Yasmine Naghdi
Basilio: Steven McRae >> Marcelino Sambé
Mercedes: Laura Morera
Espada: Ryoichi Hirano
Queen of the Dryads: Fumi Kaneko
Sunday 23 June, 13:00
Kitri: Lauren Cuthbertson
Basilio: Matthew Ball
Mercedes: Claire Calvert
Espada: Reece Clarke
Queen of the Dryads: Yuhui Choe
Tuesday 25 June, 18:30
Kitri: Akane Takada >> Yasmine Naghdi
Basilio: Steven McRae >> Marcelino Sambé
Mercedes: Laura Morera
Espada: Ryoichi Hirano
Queen of the Dryads: Fumi Kaneko
Wednesday 26 June, 18:30
Kitri: Natalia Osipova
Basilio: Vadim Muntagirov
Mercedes: Beatriz Stix-Brunell
Espada: Valentino Zucchetti
Queen of the Dryads: Claire Calvert
Statement from Director Kevin O'Hare
It is with regret that I announce that Akane Takada and Steven McRae, Principal dancers of The Royal Ballet, have had to withdraw from the Company's upcoming tour to Japan due to injury. It is unfortunate that they are unable to join the tour but the nature of their injuries means that cancellation is unavoidable. I am sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news for our loyal Japanese audiences but am sure that you will join me in wishing Akane and Steven well with their recovery and rehabilitation.
I am pleased to confirm that the replacement casting for the evening performances of 22 and 25 June will feature Principal Yasmine Naghdi and First Soloist Marcelino Sambé as Kitri and Basilio in Don Quixote. Both dancers have been garnering much public attention in the UK for the quality of their dancing and created a sensation with their recent Covent Garden performances together in Don Quixote. Yasmine was promoted to the rank of Principal in 2017 and Marcelino was awarded the Dance Europe Award for Outstanding Male Performance (Classical) at the Critics' Circle National Dance Awards 2017. Their performances in Japan will also feature Principal Laura Morera as Mercedes, Japanese Principal Ryoichi Hirano as Espada and Japanese First Soloist Fumi Kaneko as the Queen of the Dryads. Yasmine Naghdi's scheduled performance at the matinee on 22 June will be given by First Soloist Mayara Magri, another rising star of The Royal Ballet, in partnership with charismatic Principal dancer Alexander Campbell. They too performed together during our London run of Don Quixote to great acclaim.
We gave considerable thought to keeping the original casting aligned with the published dates but at the same time had to find the best possible artistic solution for Japanese audiences in this situation. With this in mind, it is my belief that keeping the couples of Naghdi/Sambé and Magri/Campbell together - who have shown such chemistry and stage presence in their pairings in London - offers the finest way to deliver the best performances for Japanese audiences.
I look forward to seeing you in Japan and hope you enjoy this exciting opportunity to witness our gifted dancers leading the next generation of Royal Ballet artists.
