![A disabled dancer in a wheelchair poses intently with two dancers and the choreographer each holding a strained pose by him](/sites/default/files/styles/page_banner_lrg/public/2024-08/Victory%20Dance%2C%20rehearsals%2C%202024%2C%20chor%20Kristen%20MacNelly%20with%20dancers%20Joseph%20Powell-Main%2C%20Kevin%20Poeung%20and%20Yu%20Wakizuka%2C%20photo%20Emily%20Nuttall%201.jpg?h=6070b9f1&itok=Oxrnb_Qn)
![A disabled dancer in a wheelchair poses intently with two dancers and the choreographer each holding a strained pose by him](/sites/default/files/styles/page_banner_lrg/public/2024-08/Victory%20Dance%2C%20rehearsals%2C%202024%2C%20chor%20Kristen%20MacNelly%20with%20dancers%20Joseph%20Powell-Main%2C%20Kevin%20Poeung%20and%20Yu%20Wakizuka%2C%20photo%20Emily%20Nuttall%201.jpg?h=6070b9f1&itok=Oxrnb_Qn)
"A moment of celebration. For anything that goes before and anything that comes after."Kristen McNally
Kicking off Three Short Ballets will be the première of Victory Dance by Principal Character Artist for The Royal Ballet, Kristen McNally.
This inclusive trio features two Northern Ballet Dancers alongside guest artist Joe Powell-Main, a disabled dancer who uses wheels and crutches.
The mix of energetic music and boundary-pushing choreography make this piece an exciting start to the programme that will get you tapping your feet.
Born in Liverpool, Kristen trained under Elizabeth Hill and at The Royal Ballet School before joining The Royal Ballet Company in 2002. As a Principal Character Artist, she performs and creates a diverse range of roles within the Company’s repertoire.
Offstage, Kristen has forged a notable career in choreography, creating works for The Royal Ballet, The Royal Ballet School, New English Ballet Theatre, Scottish Ballet, and BalletBoyz. Her latest piece, The Limit for The Royal Ballet, was nominated for Best Contemporary Choreography at the National Dance Awards.
Kristen’s commercial credits include choreography for The Paralympic Homecoming at Wembley Stadium for Channel 4, the BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert at Buckingham Palace, the John Lewis ‘Tiny Dancer’ advert, and movement direction for brands and publications such as Vogue, Van Cleef & Arpels, Harper’s Bazaar, Lululemon, and The Vampire’s Wife.
Choreography
Kristen McNally
Music
Victory Dance
Written & performed by Ezra Collins. Licensed courtesy of Partisan Records
Lighting Design
Alastair West
Costume Design
Carley Marsh
Hair & Make-up
Harriet Rogers
Assisted by Lizzie Fraser
Rehearsal photos taken by Emily Nuttall.