In spring 2025, The Royal Ballet and Natalia Osipova—a principal dancer with the company since 2013—will present Osipova / Linbury, which draws on the works of Martha Graham and Frederick Ashton alongside a world première by Jo Strømgren created for Osipova with contemporary dancer Christopher Akrill.
Osipova will perform with fellow Principal artist Marcelino Sambé in Martha Graham’s Errand into the Maze, based on a poem by Ben Belitt, with set designed by Isamu Noguchi, inspired by the Greek myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur, which received its premiere in 1947.
Earlier this year, Osipova performed Ashton’s Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan, which will be recreated as a short film.
Osipova said, “it’s a great honour to curate a programme in the beautiful, intimate space of the Linbury Theatre. Through this programme, my boundless passion for dance has the opportunity to take flight through the visionary creativity of Martha Graham and Frederick Ashton.
"Jo Strømgren’s vivid theatrical imagination is an inspiration, and I am so excited to be working with him on this new commission. I’m also thrilled to be joined by my wonderful fellow Principal dancer Marcelino Sambé and renowned contemporary dancer Chris Akrill.”