ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½

Posted: Monday, 22nd October 2007

Henry Perkins is one of the most promising young ballet dancers in Britain. Only 15 years old, he’s danced at Covent Garden and won every dance competition worth entering.

Dissatisfied with the teaching he’s had in Britain, Henry’s always dreamt of dancing with The Bolshoi Ballet, and in September last year won a place at The Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow, widely regarded as one of the best ballet schools in the world.

Imagine follows Henry during his first year at the school as he faces up to the challenges of a new life 1500 miles away from home. Unable to speak the language Henry struggles to find his feet and soon begins to realise the demands and standards in a Russian ballet class are a far cry from what he was used to in the UK.

What emerges is the compelling story of Henry’s relationship with his Russian teacher, Ilya Kuznetsov, himself a former pupil of the Academy and a notable principal soloist, as he puts Henry through an intense and sometimes shockingly brutal journey to find the dancer within.

Henry Perkins: The Bolshoi Boy, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ One, Tuesday, 23rd October 2007.