Dancer returns to home in top ballet

A dancer from Milton Keynes is delighted to be part of the company performing in his home town in the Northern Ballet's latest production of Swan Lake.
Sean BatesSean Bates
Sean Bates

Milton Keynes Theatre hosts the classic ballet and for 24-year-old Sean Bates.

He has been part of the tour which concludes in Milton Keynes. But an injury has ruled him out of performing.

Sean said:“I have a stress fracture in my foot but it has been quite interesting to watch it from the other perspective. Normally we are busy with the shows and don’t get a chance to see them but it has been lovely.

“Once you have learnt the steps, you are then given a bit of a free reign with how you carry out the performance and we will all play it slightly differently.”

The dancer who was born and bought up in Giffard Park has had a love for dance in his blood since an early age.

He said: “I always wanted to be a dancer and when I was three, I begged my mum to let me be a dancer and now I am. I am so lucky in that I have been able to be a professional and with such a good company especially when it is something I enjoy so much.”

But he has been very involved in the show which is a slightly different take on the story.

He said: “Our version has been set in 1920s in New England and rather than having Prince Sigfried we have got Anthony who goes through a traumatic experience which his mother blames him for.

“He is psychologically damaged.

“I’ve been playing Simon who is one of Anthony’s best friends along with another girl and there is a bit of a love triangle thing going on.

“I have been playing it that Simon is openly gay and that he has feelings for Anthony and that confuses him which is something really interesting to play.”

Swan Lake is performed at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tuesday April 26 to Saturday April 30.