Royal Ballet choreographer opens school’s new studios

A ROYAL Ballet Company dancer and choreographer returned to Bristol to open studios for the school where his career began.

William Tuckett danced with Stapleton School of Dancing from the age of six before joining the Royal Ballet Upper School.

He started dancing with the school in Stapleton Church Hall but now, almost 60 years after it was formed, most of the school’s classes will be based in studios at Ridgewood Community Centre in Yate.

One of the new studios has been named after Mr Tuckett, who is one of the school’s most successful former students, having danced with Darcey Bussell and choreographed performances at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

The other studio has been named after his teacher Pat Short, who founded the dance school at the age of 14 and also attended the opening yesterday.

The school is now run by principals Miranda Beard and Sam Axford, who were both taught at the school as youngsters.

Mr Tuckett, 41, realised that a career in dance was for him when he saw a touring production of

While Miss Short did not credit herself with Mr Tuckett’s success, he said she played a very important role in igniting his love of dance.

“I adore Pat and owe a huge amount to her,” he said.

“There was a very clear moment when the Royal Ballet came to Bristol on tour and I went to see

He went on to perform the role of Juliet’s cousin Tybalt in Kenneth Macmillan’s retirement performance of the ballet.

Having risen through the ranks at The Royal Ballet, Mr Tuckett became first artist, soloist and then principal character artist while building an ever-increasing body of choreography work.

He has been involved in television productions and the recent cinema box-office hit

Miss Short danced for a London-based ballet company after founding the Stapleton School of Dancing and successfully auditioned for the Rambert Company when she was 17, only to be told she was too young to go on tour to Germany with them.

She also won a role in the 1948 film

Miss Short ran Stapleton School of Dancing until 1988 but continued her involvement with the school for some years, after helping to coach exam lessons for young dancers.

She said: “The school could have just fizzled out when I retired so I am very grateful to Miranda for what she has done. I am very honoured and very grateful to the principals for naming a studio after me.”

Mr Tuckett met young dancer Freddie Gunningham, who will follow in his footsteps by starting at The Royal Ballet School’s White Lodge in London on Friday.

The 11-year-old from St George followed his 14-year-old sister into dancing. Hannah is already studying at Elmhurst School for Dance in Birmingham.

Freddie said: “It feels quite amazing to see someone who has gone to White Lodge and is a choreographer now.”

Miss Beard said being able to teach at the new studios was a “dream”. She added: “It is not just about dancing as a career, we are nurturing young people in a family atmosphere, teaching discipline, body awareness, creativity, enjoyment of dance, a love of music and friendship.”