Meet the dance company choreographing a more accessible future for ballet in Wales

"There’s nothing more fulfilling that makes you smile than hearing an applause at the end of a performance and doing your final bow."

Like many businesses in the arts industry, Ballet Cymru is looking forward to performing again after being devastated during the pandemic

The group from Wales is known for being one of the most diverse ballet groups throughout the UK and aim to break down barriers to accessing the arts. 

Marcus Jarrell Willis, the company’s newly appointed Resident Choreographer said Ballet Cymru "takes us to the place where we should be, which I think is surrounding normality."

Ballet Cymru's newly appointed Resident Choreographer praises the company's commitment to inclusivity and innovation

In an interview for ITV Wales the Choreographer explained:

"When I walk into the space of Ballet Cymru, I don’t feel any thought about there being a focus on the diversity, it just is."

Ballet Cymru is an international touring ballet company for Wales and has been known for being one of the most diverse ballet groups throughout the UK. Their programmes commit to breaking down barriers to accessing the arts. 

Like many, the company has also faced difficulties due to the pandemic.

"Covid was a big setback for all of us" said dancer Jakob Myres. 

"It’s been really difficult not to be close to people. We rely a lot on each other physically." Hanna Lyn Hughes, a professional dancer originally from Cardiff added.

Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ballet Cymru is soon to present ‘Isolated pulses’, a performance which was choreographed over lockdown in various states of social distancing and COVID measures. 

"We really are excited to be bringing work back to the stage" said resident Choreographer, Marcus Jarrell Willis. 

"It’s been a long time that we’ve been hoping to do this and we want to encourage people to come out. We’re doing everything, the theatres are doing everything to make sure that people feel safe to come into the theatres."

The dancers, who’ve put hard work and long hours into the performance say it’s about emotion, feeling and movement and are thrilled to be performing again for a live audience.

"There’s nothing more fulfilling that makes you smile than hearing an applause at the end of a performance and doing your final bow."

The performance will focus on the importance of individual existence concentrating mainly on a human’s contribution to this ever-changing world.