The Outstanding Achievement in Dance prize has been awarded to first time Olivier Award winner Marianela Nunez.
The Argentine principal dancer for the Royal Ballet triumphs in the category for her much-celebrated performances in new works Aeternum, Diana & Actaeon and Viscera, which she danced at the venue for tonight’s ceremony, the Royal Opera House.
Born in Buenos Aires, Nunez started dancing at the age of three and studied at her home city’s Instituto Superior de Arte of the Teatro Colón, where she was invited to join the corps de ballet of the company when she was 14-years-old. Two years later she joined the Royal Ballet where she was promoted to principal in 2002.
Nunez’s career has seen her perform all over the world in many of the most prestigious dance roles including Juliet in Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo And Juliet and the title roles in Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella and Sylvia.
The dancer told us backstage that picking up the award in the Royal Opera House had been an incredible experiences, telling us: “That’s what makes it even more special. To be here. This is my house. And also, Edward [Watson] presented the award who is an amazing dancer and a very special friend and colleague so I’m very, very excited.”
The ballerina triumphs in a category that also included nods for the ILL-Abilities company in Breakin’ Convention and designer Lez Brotherston for his work on Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty, both of which were performed at Sadler’s Wells.
