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Claire Calvert of The Royal Ballet

Claire Calvert of The Royal Ballet

A Day In The Life: The Royal Ballet’s Claire Calvert

By Claire Calvert Published 8 March 2018

To be a member of The Royal Ballet requires world-class poise, skill and dedication; to recover from a potentially career-threatening injury to rise to the position of First Soloist requires a talent and determination even more astounding.

Claire Calvert’s story is undeniably remarkable. And it gets even better: this Spring, she’s playing both the role of Hermione in Christopher Wheeldon’s compelling dance-drama The Winter’s Tale, and also Lescaut’s Mistress in Manon – two spectacular productions at the Royal Opera House.

But what’s a day in the life like as a Royal Ballet First Soloist? Early morning coffee, precise pointe shoe preparations – not to mention challenging physical warm-ups – Claire gave us some fascinating backstage insight with her photo diary below.

Claire Calvert plays Hermione in The Winter’s Tale on 20 March, and Lescaut’s Mistress in Manon on 29 March, 19 April, 1 & 12 May at the Royal Opera House – tickets are available through the venue’s website.

Morning and evening face care!

Make-up - Claire Calvert's photo diary

On my way to work…

On the tube - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Oyster card - Claire Calvert's photo diary

… via Covent Garden’s coffee shops and Neal’s Yard!

Neal's Yard - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Covent Garden coffee - Claire Calvert's photo diary

At stage door - Claire Calvert's photo diary

My place in the dressing room.

In the dressing room - Claire Calvert's photo diary

In the dressing room - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Bits and pieces to get me through the day.

Dressing room pieces - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Preparing pointe shoes for rehearsals and performances!

Pointe shoes in the dressing room - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Preparing pointe shoes - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Costumes for The Winter’s Tale – ready and waiting!

The Winter's Tale costumes - Claire Calvert's photo diary

The Winter's Tale costumes - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Time for some gym work…

… before warming up for the show.

Lunch time!

Lunch time - Claire Calvert's photo diary

In the Pointe Shoe Room!

The Pointe Shoe Room - Claire Calvert's photo diary

After Act I of The Winter’s Tale – a stony-faced makeup change!

Makeup change - Claire Calvert's photo diary

With my on-stage “family” at the end of the show!

On-stage family - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Finally, celebrating with Mum and friends after the performance!

Post-show celebrations - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Post-show celebrations - Claire Calvert's photo diary

Our thanks to Claire, and all at The Royal Ballet, for showing us around!

Claire Calvert plays Hermione in The Winter’s Tale on 20 March, and Lescaut’s Mistress in Manon on 29 March, 19 April, 1 & 12 May at the Royal Opera House – tickets are available through the venue’s website.

First published 22 February 2018; republished 8 March 2018

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a day in the life backstage claire calvert manon royal opera house The Royal Ballet the winter's tale

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