Wayne Sleep was described by the founder of the Royal Ballet, Dame Ninette De Valois as ‘the greatest virtuoso dancer the Royal Ballet has ever produced’. Tonight, he shares the memories and music of his career with the Â鶹ԼÅÄ Concert Orchestra, conducted by Gavin Sutherland. In this special edition of Radio 2’s, ‘Friday Night Is Music Night’ there’ll be music from his classical ballet career, including Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Dream and Petrushka as well as reminiscences about working with Rudolf Nuryev, Mikhail Baryshnikov, and choreographersSir Frederick Ashton and Sir Kenneth MacMillan. There’ll be the story of his dance companyDash; playing Squirrel Nutkin in the Royal Ballet’s groundbreaking film ‘The Tales of Beatrix Potter; his musical theatre career, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Song and Dance’; and music associated with the many people and celebrities Wayne has known, including David Hockney, Freddie Mercury and Princess Diana.
