Hi – I am Ryoichi Hirano – most people call me Rio. I am a First Artist with The Royal Ballet – but luckily for you I am also a photographer! I have been given special permission to hang around at the back of rehearsals and wander freely amongst the dancers snapping away to give you a rarely seen glimpse of the life and work of one of the world’s greatest ballet companies. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them.

Before the rehearsal starts let’s talk about what we are going to do.  Rupert with répétiteur Lesley Collier and tucked in the corner the very important rehearsal pianist Kate Shipway.

Getting started… easy does it.

Looking on, Lauren adjusts her pointe shoes.

Space and light are vital to a dancer.

That’s why it is called a rehearsal… to perfect those difficult moves.

Concentration… an all important ingredient.