BalletBoyz: The Principles of Classical Dance

Inspired by Anthony Crickmay’s photographs, published in 1979 in Joan Lawson’s book of the same name, The Principles of Classical Dance pays homage to one of Britain's most influential dance photographers. Set to Bach’s Goldberg Variations and featuring stars of The Royal Ballet, the film reveals how a striking image is created.

Seven variations are paired with seven sections of contemporary ballet in this 30-minute work, in which music, movement, lighting and camera come together to create an illusion, which simultaneously carries a fluidity of motion and moments of stillness. 

This screening is followed by a Q&A session with director Michael Nunn, cinematographer William Trevitt, critic Sarah Crompton and ballet dancer Edward Watson.

The Principles of Classical Dance is a film by Michael Nunn and William Trevitt, co-produced by BalletBoyz and The Royal Ballet, and generously supported by the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement.


Cast
William Bracewell
 Leo Dixon
 Téo Dubreuil
 Francesca Hayward
 Joonhyuk Jun
 Marco Masciari
 Francisco Serrano
 Joseph Sissens

Pianist
Rob Clark 

Director
Michael Nunn

Cinematographer
William Trevitt

Choreography
Christopher Wheeldon

Music
J S Bach

Costume Design
Katherine Watt

Hair & Make Up Design
Darren Evans

Focus Puller
Peter Faludi

Production Manager
Mike Lindsay

Additional camera
Nike van Schie

Key Grip
Wolf Wasserman

First AC
Philip Chukwu

Grip Trainee
Kristian Major

Production Crew
Andy Downie
 Kate Hartley
 Oliver Hynds
 Danny O’Shea
 Hannah Rudd

Gaffer
Andrew Ellis

Editor
Jimmy Piper

Colour grading
George Morrison

Score Recordist and Mixer
John Prestage

Still Photography
Amber Hunt

Filmed at
The Holloway Production Studio at the Mulryan Centre for Dance

Floors provided by
Harlequin plc

Funded by
Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement

A co-production between
BalletBoyz and The Royal Ballet

Produced by
Michael Nunn
 William Trevitt
 Nike van Schie

Executive Producer
Kevin O’Hare

Special Thanks to
Stewart Grimshaw
 Christopher and Cynthia Bake
 Edward Watson