Interview with Beatrice & Max
Ahead of an exciting international tour, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners and Principals Beatrice Parma and Max Maslen.
Ahead of an exciting international tour and fresh from her promotion to Principal in March, we caught up with Birmingham Royal Ballet partners, Beatrice Parma and Principal, Max Maslen.
Beatrice & Max dancing Hobson’s Choice by David Bintley.
Photo credit: Bill Cooper.
Italian born, Beatrice Parma is a Principal dancer with Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB). Originally from Livorno, Italy, she trained at Accadamia Teatro alla Scala and English National Ballet School. Upon graduating, Beatrice worked for three years in Turkey in a company in Mersin, before joining the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Her partner in life and on the stage, Max Maslen, Principal of BRB, was born in Bradford where he trained locally until the age of 16, before moving to London to train full time at Central School of Ballet.
Can you tell us three things people don’t know about you?
“I am a hobbyist DJ, I play guitar in a band and I can’t sing!”
Max“I’m the happiest by the sea, I love watching Formula 1, I can’t go to bed without fluffing the sofa’s cushions.”
Beatrice
What has been your favourite role that you have danced?
“Juliet is without a doubt my favourite role that I’ve performed so far. I love how in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet the choreography meets the music perfectly. Performing this role is always so special as you can bring so much individuality to it.”
Beatrice
“My favourite role I have performed would have to be Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. The sword fighting, the drama and fun make each show unique!”
Max
What role would you most like to dance that you are yet to debut?
“A dream role of mine has always been Marguerite in the Lady of the Camellias by John Neumeier. I remember watching it at the Teatro alla Scala when I was younger and completely falling in love with the role. The choreography is absolutely stunning and I would love the challenge of performing such a complex and dramatic role.”
Beatrice“The role I would love to perform is Sergeant Francis Troy in David Bintley’s Far from the Madding Crowd. Some of the pas de deux are extremely challenging and I’d love to have a chance to dig deep into the character.”
Max
What has been the highlight of your year with BRB?
Carlos Acosta promoting Beatrice to Principal
Photo credit: Birmingham Royal Ballet
“My highlight of the season has to be watching my girlfriend get promoted to Principal dancer on stage after her performance of Aurora in Sleeping Beauty. It’s a special moment for anyone and even more so knowing all the hard work and dedication that she put in.”
Max“Getting promoted to principal was not only the most special moment of this season with BRB, but of my career. Carlos walking on stage and announcing the promotion after my Aurora show is a moment I will forever cherish. I never expected to get to the top so I’m so grateful and honoured to start next season as a Principal dancer of the company.”
Beatrice
What are you looking forward to most about dancing at Hatch House with the Covent Garden Dance Company this year?
“Galas are always a great opportunity to meet new people and dancers. I’m looking forward to dancing in such a beautiful location and get inspired by all the other dancers performing there.”
Beatrice“I’m looking forward to being able to meet other artists from around the world and to try and learn and take inspiration from them.”
Max
Beatrice Parma - Nutcracker
Photo credit: Bill Cooper
What will you be dancing?
“We will be performing Sir Frederick Ashton’s wedding pas de deux from La Fille Mal Gardée and another Ashton iconic pas de deux - Rhapsody.”
Beatrice
What inspired you to dance these pieces?
“We chose these pieces as we’ve performed them before, got to grips with the way they move and flow, and now can push them to go further.”
Max“We are about to perform La Fille Mal Gardée with BRB next season so we thought it would also be a nice addition to the evening as it’s just a beautiful pas de deux.”
Beatrice
When you’re dancing these pieces together how does it make you feel?
“Being together in life, it’s always nice to share moments not only off stages, but on as well. It adds onto memories we’ve built together.”
Beatrice“We’ve always enjoyed performing together! it’s usually only outside of the company that we get to choose what repertoire we dance together as well!”
Max
Beatrice in Juliano Nunes’ Interlinked
Photo credit: Tristan Kenton
You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?
“I’m excited to watch everyone perform, there’s always things you can learn from different dancers and get inspired in a different ways”
Beatrice“I wouldn’t want to say individually who I’m looking forward to see perform, but more the collective and how each artist will bring something completely different to the evenings.”
Max
What do you like most about performing for events such as this?
“I’d say the most special thing about Galas like this one, is how dancers from all over the world come together for a few days sharing what we love.”
Beatrice
Want to watch Beatrice and Max performing as part of this world class line up of artists?
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Ballet in the Bahamas
Fresh from the shores of the stunningly beautiful Nassau Bay, Bahamas, our Director, Matt Brady, shares his thoughts on our first Covent Garden Dance Company performances in the Bahamas.
From the shores of the stunningly beautiful Nassau Bay, Bahamas, Director Matt Brady, shares his thoughts on the first Covent Garden Dance Company performances in the Bahamas.
Xander Parish and Mackenzie Brown perform at Iconique 2024
A Covent Garden Dance dream realised
“It would usually take a year (or more) to develop a new territory or venue as it is complex and often convoluted process. However, after getting so close to launching the production in the Bahamas in February 2019, only to be thwarted by Covid and the pandemic, when the opportunity presented itself again, in the shape of the amazing Anita Wheeler and The Old Fort Bay Club, we decided we the time was now.
In four months and with a huge team effort from both sides of the pond, we managed to launch the inaugural production of 'Iconique' in The Bahamas and what an Iconique cast we collated.”
A Bahamian welcome
“It sounds obvious but one of the key elements for any production is a publicity, as someone once said to me;
‘Doing a production without advertising is like winking at someone in the dark. You know what you are doing but nobody else does.’
We had the great fortune of being introduced to The Tribune Newspaper, the leading national newspaper in The Bahamas, who quickly became our Iconique Media Partner. Their support and advice were invaluable throughout the production and gave us a solid and highly respected channel to convey our message to the incredible nation of The Bahamas.
The show was presented over two performances with the first on Valentine’s eve (Wednesday the 14th of February) and finale on Friday the 17th of February. With the challenges of schools’ half term falling on the week of the production (when half the island leaves for Europe / the mountains), we needed to work twice as hard to ensure we got the message out far and wide. We were told on many occasions, usually over a drink and usually by people who were yet to book, that;
"Everyone books last minute on the island. Don't worry."
It was hard not to, but they were right. Ten days before the opening night…. the blue touch paper was lit!”
Covent Garden Dance Co. Partnerships
“With the official launch date set in mid-November, it was important to ensure we had the fundamentals and key elements in place (which changed; twice). We were extraordinarily lucky to have such an incredible venue partner in the Old Fort Bay Club, and without the relentless driving force and guidance of Anita, Jacob Le Blanc and team, there is no doubt in my mind we would not have succeeded in overcoming all the challenges that we faced in bringing the production to fruition.
There is a list as long as my arm of supporters who should be acknowledged for their role in making this production such a success. However, two I would like to highlight are firstly our ongoing partner, Harlequin Dance Floors, who have been incredible in getting a world class floor out to our stage once again. Without this key element and their unique expertise, we would simply not be able to present such a world class production with some of the greatest and most renowned dancers from the most revered companies.
The second, is our Event and Staging Partner, Wildflowers, who did not stop with their support and re-assurances. With every new territory comes unexpected challenges and without Wildflowers’ support, which started from the first minute we sat down and explained the dream, to the day of departure post show, we would not have had the success we had.
Avis and their MD, Cindy Newell, were also vital to the logistical success of our Bahamian adventure and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
Ballet on the shore
“When the stage was set and with the dancers warming up at sunset on the beach just before dress rehearsal, I looked up and saw the 'Cheshire Cat Smile' moon. Somehow I knew it was a sign we were going to be ok and that we maybe the angels were watching over us. I was not wrong.
We were just shy of being sold out on the opening night, and not far behind that on the Friday night which ensured that we had the all important atmosphere to make both nights, nights to remember.”
An ‘Iconique’ cast of ballet dancers
“The Iconique programme was created to ensure that the performances would not only surprise and engage the new audience (many of whom had never been to see any ballet or dance before), but also impress and entertain all those who had seen everything dance related. The standing ovation on both nights confirmed we had got it right.
The intimate evening of Classical, Neo-Classical and Contemporary performances featured ballet dancers from some of the world’s most revered ballet companies. Elegance, precision, and emotion crackled in the air as our two royal Danish principles, Holly Dorger and Jón Axel Fransson took to the stage for the opening piece."
World famous British dancer Xander Parish, Stutgartt Ballet’s, Mackenzie Brown (youngest dancer ever to be promoted to Principal), internationally acclaimed Lucia Lacarra and Prix de Lausanne winner Matthew Golding left no emotion untapped and the haunting choreography of Mara Galeazzi, partnered by Jason Kittleberger ensured that there was not a dry eye in the house.
The cast, all of whom are very much iconic in their own way to so many (myself included), will always have our undying gratitude for bringing everything to those two performances. I have rarely seen an audience so enraptured and entranced from the first moment to the final bow as we saw on those two nights.
When the stars align in this way, in that location, with that backdrop; it is nothing short of perfection. The Nassau community welcomed us with open arms; the warmth and generosity, their reaction to the production left the cast and myself feeling genuinely moved.”
A unique audience
“Being under the patronage of the First Lady of the Bahamas was a huge privilege and we hope this will continue. The First Lady attended for the closing night and had by, all accounts, a fabulous time. She kindly took time to come and meet the dancers post show back stage who were thrilled at how much she seemed to enjoy the show.
The First Lady of The Bahamas Mrs Anne Marie Davis posing with the technicians post show.
British High Commissioner, Tom Hartley was instrumental in the performance coming to The Bahamas and said he was left extremely proud.
“None of us could really believe this night would be as special as it was. It was beyond expectations, I think, for anyone. However much you love ballet, I think tonight was a special night. I’m so proud. The Bahamas is a very special place and you have to bring something special to really add value to The Bahamas. And I’m proud that Matt has already committed to doing it another year, next year, and I feel this really adds value to the rich culture already in The Bahamas. The British High Commission played a tiny part in that and I’m really proud to be a part of it.”
Wendy Mills, an ardent lover of ballet, spent her Valentine’s evening enjoying the performances:
“I am an avid ballet watcher. I’ve attended many ballet shows and performances all over the world. The performance was as exquisite as you can imagine. I love that it’s here at home in The Bahamas.”
From internationally renowned Golfer and Olympian Gold Medallist Justin Rose, to fans of Xander Parish, who travelled from Germany and Denmark, we were delighted by the international interest in our ‘Iconique’ performances.”
Inspiring a new generation of ballet dancers
“Covent Garden Dance Company has a ‘tradition’ of always opening up our dress rehearsals to children and students. We were not going to make an exception in The Bahamas. We were delighted to have 50 local young dancers and students from over 12 dance schools attend (a very windy) dress rehearsal. The cast were delighted to meet with the new generation of Bahamian ballet dancers and be featured on the local television news.” We can’t wait to invite more next year!
Back to the Bahamas in 2025
“We are delighted to say that Iconique 2025 Nassau has already had 55% of its tables rebooked for the 7th & 8th March. Not bad for an island who always books last minute. We are also hoping to work with a non-profit organisation to bring the show to Freeport too.
