As Sir Matthew Bourne’s latest ballet hits the Wimbledon stage this month, Jane McGowan catches up with leading lady Ashley Shaw
Johan Persson
Ballerina Ashley Shaw has come a long way. Not just figuratively – rising through the ranks to reach the dizzy heights of principal dancer in Sir Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, one of the world’s most revered companies – but literally, leaving her small hometown in Australia at the tender age of just 15 to train at Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham.
“Looking back now, it seems a much bigger deal,” says Ashley, her Australian accent barely audible. “My family were really supportive and I think it was much worse for them. I was just so excited. I do remember being homesick at times, back then there was no FaceTime or Instagram so I couldn’t keep them updated every minute. I wrote and waited for calls. But I have to say, it has definitely been worth it.”
Born in 1990, Ashley began dancing at the age of just three. She started with baby ballet classes and it wasn’t long before she was learning contemporary and jazz. Aged 12, she made the decision to train full-time at the Marie Walton-Mahon Dance Academy in the harbour city of Newcastle, New South Wales.
“Sometimes I look back and it feels like it has all been like a dream,” she says. “It has been like a fairy story – albeit one that has involved a lot of hard work, injury and rejections.”
Which, coincidentally, sounds a lot like the plot of Cinderella, which opens at the New Wimbledon Theatre this month. Ashley is returning to the part of the eponymous rags to riches heroine, after debuting the role in 2009.
JOHAN PERSSON
Choreographer and director, Matthew Bourne stunned the arts world with his all-male version of Swan Lake back in 1995 and has continued to put his unique stamp on other classics such as Sleeping Beauty, The Red Shoes and The Nutcracker. So what can we expect from Cinderella?
“It’s set during the Second World War and Cinderella starts off as a downtrodden woman whose life is transformed after she meets an RAF pilot,” Ashley explains. “It’s really beautiful and magical and the sets and costumes are just stunning but, as with many of Matt’s productions, there is a twist,” she warns.
Following ballet school, Ashley got a job dancing on a cruise ship, a move which many in the classical dance world would have turned their noses up at.
“Oh it was great!” she laughs, revealing her down-to-earth Aussie roots. “Some people are snobby about it but it taught me a lot. It was good to dance other styles not just ballet, and it taught me to perform. At the end of the day, I am a dancer and I want to dance. It allowed me to make a living as a dancer and that’s all I had ever wanted.”
From the high seas she landed a spot with Sir Matthew’s company and has spent the last seven years starring in his award-winning ballets.
“Matt makes ballet really accessible. He makes everything so cinematic and exciting,” she says. “His Swan Lake was the first ballet I had seen and it made me want to be a dancer. I would urge people who have never seen a ballet to come and watch Cinderella. It’s magical and dreamlike, and to be in it is a dream come true.”
Cinderella is at The New Wimbledon Theatre from May 1-5 (matinees Thurs & Sat). For tickets, visit: atgtickets.com
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