Xander and Demelza Parish

24th April, 2006
Brockway Room, Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, London WC.1

Michael Ludgate, our Chairman, welcomed Xander and Demelza Parish - the three of them from Yorkshire - and recalled how members had got to know them from first seeing them as very young students in class at the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars, and have followed their careers with the greatest interest, through to their present positions in the Royal Ballet.

Xander and Demelza began dancing at a local school in Hull, and Michael listed the many prizes both of them have been awarded over the years, from their first years as Junior Associates through the ranks at the Royal Ballet School, to their achievement of winning places in the Royal Ballet Company. They came in contact with Dame Alicia Markova at the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars and Michael said she was fond of them both, and it was fitting that they were awarded the Alicia Markova Prize at the Royal Ballet School in their final year. Demelza has won a prize at the Young British Dancer competition, and Xander won the silver medal at the Adeline Genée competition in Athens and won the Ursula Moreton Award, and hopes to develop his interest in choreography.

Demelza began ballet as a hobby with her school friends and worked through exams, festivals and school shows, though Xander was more interested in sport and began later. Xander and Demelza also went to Louise Brown in York, when they became Royal Ballet School Junior Associates. They studied with Vanessa Hooper in Hull, along with Natasha Oughtred, who was also one of her pupils, and she was an encouragement for them, along with other gifted pupils of Miss Hooper who included Joseph Caley, now with Birmingham Royal Ballet, and Elizabeth Harrod, now with Norwegian National Ballet. Eventually, they auditioned successfully for White Lodge, though Xander did not take up his place because at that time he was keener on sport than on ballet. However, he had second thoughts a year later, re-auditioned and was successful so this time he took up his place. They were both homesick at White Lodge and Demelza pointed out that it is the best place to be if you want to be a dancer, so she just got on with it, as that is what you must do if you want to succeed. They spoke about their teachers at the Royal Ballet School and how they inspired them.

Demelza is not keen on choreography but Xander is enthusiastic about developing this aspect of his talents and will take what opportunities there are, and he clearly would love the chance to work at developing his ideas in this direction. It is difficult to find time for this in the full working day and trying to find dancers who are willing to put in extra hours in their free time is not easy. He is inspired first of all by the music which gives him the ideas for what he wants to choreo,graph. We hope he will find time for this in the future.

Demelza then told us of her experience in competing in the Young British Dancer competition, which was good experience, as she hadn't done much performing since she joined the Royal Ballet School. It also gave her the chance to meet other dancers and assess the standards.

They then told us about how they became members of the Royal Ballet, from working as students in small parts and "walk-ons" and all the time being observed by Monica Mason. Demelza said how surprised she was to be offered a contract with the Royal Ballet in her second year at the Upper School. Xander, who was in the graduate year, already had a contract so they were thrilled to find that they were both accepted. One of Demelza's first parts with the company was in "Les Rendezvous" in a small high-lighted solo, and she has danced in "La Syphide", "Manon" and Waltz of the Flowers in "The Nutcracker", while Xander made his debut as a witch buried under heavy make-up in "La Sylphide". Xander's latest part is one of Colas's friends in "La Fille mal gardée" which is in the repertoire at present, while Demelza is one of the peasants. They will both be in the new production of "The Sleeping Beauty" in various roles in the corps de ballet.

They now look forward to going on tour with the company, though South American is off the
schedule because it would clash with the World Cup, when all South Americans would be glued to their televisions. They will visit the USA, Madrid and then Istanbul, in a varied repertoire, all through the summer, with just one short break in the European section.

Demelza was featured cutting the cake at the 75th birthday party for the company on Channel 4 News. She was chosen as the youngest member of the company, - and was quite surprised to see herself on the News! However, this was being filmed for the archives, so she is recorded for posterity .

They were asked about ballet make-up and told us they were given instructions as to what kind of make-up was required for a particular ballet, and Xander said the more experienced boys helped the newcomers. MAC have been supplying make-up to the Principals, and Demelza said all the company have now been given some free make-up by MAC.

Xander and Demelza told us about life in the company from the inside and how they got to know and received encouragement from particular dancers. Xander especially admires Federico Bonelli for his technique and friendliness, as well as Edward Watson, and Roberto Bolle for his partnering skills and how he wafts Darcey Bussell into the air as if she was weightless, while Demelza is an
admirer and has received some tips from Darcey Bussell. .

Xander then gave us his impressions of dancing in the open air in Athens and seeing the stars as he danced his solo in the Adeline Genée Competition seeing Tokyo and finding he was the tallest person in the crowds at the stations and meeting the students of the ABT School in New York when on reciprocal visits. Demelza loves Ashton ballets and hopes to dance more of them, though they are not easy. She would love to do Juliet and Aurora, and Xander would like to do Des Grieux in "Manon" and also some neo-classical works like "Remanso" and "Concerto".

Xander and Demelza answered many questions from the audience and after the presentation of a gift to each of them, they kindly posed for photographs. We wish them both many successful years ahead with the Royal Ballet and look forward to seeing their talents develop in the great roles of classical ballet.