Wayne Sleep and Rosemary Taylor - The Neapolian Dance, Act 3, 'Swan Lake'

As a kid, I used to see effervescent Wayne Sleep a lot at the Royal Ballet - in mostly character roles.

A great technician, Sleep lacked those extra inches to take on the big danseur noble roles.

I did see him once as Albrecht in 'Giselle' - and he stepped up well to the challenge - I wish he'd been offered more, though he was properly a demi-character dancer.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Wayne Sleep
• Rosemary Taylor
• Neapolian Dance
• Swan Lake
• Royal Ballet
• ballet

[balletnut]

Once again, thanks for answering me so quickly. It's very much appreciated that you do.

'E.S.' was hilarious because of Wayne's height - or should I say lack of it. Other people have done it on YTube, but NOTHING equals this. I'm surprised you don't remember it. I'm so sorry he didn't carry on dancing - if only for character roles and teaching - look at Helpmann and Marion Tait.

By the way, have you seen the Birmingham Royal Ballet? They're fab.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi balletnut. i'm surprised i don't remember it too. i was a kid and maybe that is part of the reason. though as i mentioned i remember other things i saw back then in real detail, including some/many of wayne sleep & vergie derman's other performances. memory works in strange ways sometimes. i often recall what at least seem insignificant events. i've heard about the formation of the Birmingham Royal Ballet but know much about them. again i must see what can be dredged up on the net & YT cheers

[balletnut]

Did you see him in 'Elite Syncopations' with Vergie Derman? It was absolutely hilarious! Then, his height was sublime, necessary and oh so valuable.

I adore him but never thought of him as sexy, unlike David Wall who was gorgeous.

I agree with silkenthreaddance - a lot of fun and a huuuuuuge personality.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi balletnut - i left lodon for australia in 1975 - Elite Syncopations was first shown in the previous year - and i did see the original cast - but i was a kid and while i remember a lot of what i saw at covent garden extraordinarily i can't remember wayne sleep or vergie derman! though i recall them both in many other things :< - sad for me, lucky for you to remember. tried to see if thishas been put on Y T but can only find a later R B film, cheers

[Pearlaceous]

@Qbendanny OMG - yes! David and Alessandra Ferri wearing not very much in Chanson - sooooo dreamy! He was amazing in Manon and Mayerling, also! :-)

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Pearlaceous - loved him too and yes you are so right about his virtuosity - i loed the over-enthusiasm thing in fact - nicely working against english restraint. looking over his website last night i realised just how many roles were choreographed for him, as you mention. i remember seeing him as albrecht - he was tried out for prince roles at one point - pity it wasn't tried more cos he was very credible

[Pearlaceous]

@nickwallacesmith It's true that he did sometimes let his own natural exuberance get the better of him and bound around rather like an over-enthusiastic puppy, but nevertheless, he did have an almost unprecedented virtuoso quality amongst RB men, a fact that was not missed by Ashton and MacMillan, both of whom choreographed many small, brilliant or comedic roles on the small, brilliant, comedic Sleep. I loved him!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi opera72 - yes, i wasn't going to say anything but i was aware of it in a way i wasn't when i saw him as a kid - sometimes very imprecise and messy - this can get lost in the general effervescence of his performance

[Qbendanny]

He devoured space as the bleubird with electric batterie and his feet were pointed like a butcher's knives in the brise voles. The MET stage was too small for him. Also, he was very sexy and rugged, like my favorite David Wall.

[sweetaliena]

My favorite Neapolitan dance. The best in my opinion.