Open Barre

We are back for another bonus episode! This time, Julia and Brandon discuss the recent announcement that Brandon will be leaving Birmingham Royal Ballet in the summer, to join Ballet Zurich. In his own words, Brandon describes his feelings about the decision, from what he's looking forward to dancing in Zurich, through to what he will miss most about BRB. Julia wonders which costumes make the best leaving photos...Get the tissues out - this one's a bit emosh!

Did you really think we would end it there?! To round off season five, and the end of 2022, we have a special bonus episode for you all, because what says happy new year without a bit of open barre?! Today we are joined by the incredible Robert Carter, AKA Olga Supphozova AKA Yuri Smirnov, legendary dancer with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. Robert has been trailblazing through the dance world for decades and there's still no stopping him. We discussed what it's like to dance in such an iconic ballet company and to tour all over the world. Brandon reminisces on his own memories of seeing 'the trocks' and Julia wonders what the secret is to making ballet funny...

It's the season five series finale!!! We can't believe that we've come to the end of another season of Open Barre - but here we are! Thank you to all of our amazing listeners, guests, and of course our wonderful sponsors, Dansez. We have such a special guest joining us for the finale - none other than the Nutcracker Prince himself - William Bracewell. As Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, William is one of the few Principal male dancers to star at both Birmingham Royal Ballet and The Royal Ballet. We find out what this journey has been like and Brandon reminisces on his memories of Billy during their time at BRB together. Julia wonders if seeming real on stage comes naturally to a dancer...

It's episode five and what an exciting ep do we have for you! We are joined by not one, but TWO guests from The Royal Ballet - First Soloist Claire Calvert and Principal Dancer Alexander Campbell! The recently married couple fill us in on their favourite roles, what it's like to work together and the future of their new venture - Prima Dance Academy. Brandon talks about the refurbished production of The Nutcracker at Birmingham Royal Ballet and Julia wonders what the dressing rooms are like at The Royal Albert Hall...

For episode four of season five, we are joined by the one and only Laura Day! Laura has been dancing with Birmingham Royal Ballet for years, but joins us on Open Barre to discuss her new roles as a Principal Character Artist and an Assistant Répétiteur! We discuss what is was like to play Sancho Panza in the recent production of 'Don Quixote' and we find out how difficult it is to organise the rep for a ballet company. Brandon answers a question from one of our listeners and Julia wonders if Open Barre helped change curtain calls for male dancers...

We have another exciting episode for you all! We are joined by Sabine Naghdi, author of 'Tears Of A Ballet Mum' and mother to Yasmine Naghdi, Principal ballerina at The Royal Ballet and friend of the show! If you haven't read Sabine's book, it's an absolute must read which delves into the detail of what it's like to parent a ballerina on her journey to the top. Elsewhere in the episode, Brandon reflects on some of his favourite memories from White Lodge and Julia admits to not being the biggest fan of Swanilda...

This week we are joined by Julie Bowers, CEO at BBO Dance and Creator and Executive Producer of Grad Pro. Julie gives us an insight into her amazing career since retiring from The Royal Ballet and she catches up with Brandon to discuss their quest to support dancers through Grad Pro. Brandon also fills us in on his preparations to debut as Franz in 'Coppelia' and Julia wonders if you have to 'act in full' in the studio at all times...

Welcome back to Open Barre! We know it's been a while since our last season, but what an exciting season five do we have for you! Before we get into it though, in this episode, Brandon and Julia catch up on the last few months. Brandon discusses what it was like to guest with Cape Town City Ballet and Julia wonders who picked him up from the airport...

It's our season finale! And it's also Christmas! And we have the most exciting guest joining us! Today we welcome ballet legend, Leanne Benjamin AM OBE, to Open Barre. Leanne talks us through her wonderful career - from her favourite roles to when she knew it was time to retire. She also tells us why she loves coaching and reveals all about her new incredible autobiography 'Built for Ballet'. Brandon reflects on the past episodes of the podcast and Julia wonders what it must be like to dance into your forties... We would like to thank all of our guests for joining us on season four and all of our listeners for tuning in. A special thank you also to our amazing sponsor Dansez!!

What a special episode we have for you today! Brandon and Julia are joined by Sophie Simpson, Senior Manager at Freed of London. Sophie tells all about what it's like to work at Freed and gives an in depth insight into all things pointe shoes - from how they are made, to how they are fitted onto the soles of some of the biggest names in ballet. Brandon discusses how he knows when a pair of ballet shoes feel right and Julia wonders if the myth of painful pointes is true...