Christopher Marney appointed artistic director of Ballet Central
Choreographer and dancer Christopher Marney (pictured) has been appointed artistic director of Ballet Central. Marney, who trained at Central School of Ballet, has danced leading roles for Matthew Bourne's New Adventures, and choreographed for companies including Ballet Black.
Founded in 1984, Ballet Central gives Central School of Ballet's final-year students first-hand experience of professional dance. Heidi Hall, the School's acting director, said: "I am delighted that Christopher is joining the school as artistic director of Ballet Central. Christopher and I were both fortunate enough to be taught by the late founder of the school, the legendary Christopher Gable, and I have no doubt that Christopher [Marney] will ensure that his ethos and legacy will live on in future generations of Central students as we continue to produce, not just fantastic dancers, but versatile and intelligent performers."
Matthew Bourne said: "With the inspired appointment of Christopher Marney as artistic director of Ballet Central, the already strong links between my company, New Adventures, and Central become even more significant and meaningful. Christopher is one of a string of exceptional dancers and performers from Ballet Central who have enriched my company over the last two decades. It is heartening to know that his matchless professionalism, work ethic and deep love and understanding of theatre and performance will be at the heart of his nurturing of these students as they transition into this competitive industry. I wish him well in this new and very exciting venture but selfishly hope that he will return from time to time to continue his very fine career as a performer with New Adventures."
Christopher Marney tells Jonathan Gray about his new appointment in the May 2016issue of Dancing Times, on sale from April 30.