At 37 years old he’s at the peak of his profession – a good time at which to record his life and art on film. From his first foray into dance as a teenage hip-hop performer, Soares made a seamless transition to ballet in his native Rio de Janeiro.
Following awards at the Paris International Dance Competition (silver) and the Moscow International Ballet Competition (gold) he was invited to join Britain’s Royal Ballet in 2002.
The film Primeiro Bailarino, to be shown at the Royal Opera House's Linbury Theatre, brings us up close and personal with Soares. He talks candidly about what he sees as the importance of artistic humility, and the gap between how you see yourself and how others see you.
Dance lovers will enjoy the plentiful footage of Soares both in performance and in rehearsal with a variety of partners, including, poignantly, the Royal Ballet's dazzling Principal Marianela Nuñez, at a time when their real-life marriage was disintegrating. It is a measure of the remarkable professionalism of both Soares and Nuñez that their performances never even hinted at discord and to this day they remain a remarkable on-stage partnership.
The film follows Soares as he prepares to return home to Rio for one of the most challenging performances of his career, his equanimity suddenly slipping as details of the forthcoming show appear not to be coming off as he would have liked.
Thiago Soares has god-like status among balletomanes in Brazil – the local boy who reached the pinnacle of his chosen career in one of the top ballet companies in the world. Primeiro Bailarino is, therefore, an homage to the artist from one of the country’s top documentary makers; and will fascinate dance lovers in the UK too.
And there will be an opportunity to ask Thiago Soares your own questions at a post-show Q&A
Note: in Portuguese with English subtitles
Age Guidance: 14+
| What | Thiago Soares, Primeiro Bailarino, ROH Linbury Theatre |
| Where | Royal Opera House, Bow Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2E 9DD | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Covent Garden (underground) |
| When |
On 21 Jan 19, 19:30 The film lasts 2 hours approx, followed by a Q&A |
| Price | £10-£17 |
| Website | Click to book via the ROH |
