Nutcracker sweet: dancer proposes to partner on stage
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Ballet lovers at the Royal Opera House witnessed a real-life romance in The Nutcracker when the lead male character proposed to his female counterpart on stage.
Towards the end of the show the Nutcracker, played by Paul Kay, must hand an invitation to Clara, played by Leanne Cope.
But the audience at the Royal Opera House were unaware that the invitation actually had the words "will you marry me?" on it.
Tony Hall, chief executive of the Royal Opera House, said it was a complete surprise for Cope, 25, and that she had said yes.
Mr Hall added: "Congratulations to them both for giving us what must surely go as the romantic performance the main stage has ever seen." The Christmas production of The Nutcracker, choreographed by Sir Peter Wright, has been performed on the main stage of the Opera House for 25 years.
Cope, who has been dancing since the age of five, was promoted to First Artist at the Royal Ballet in July this year.
Kay started dancing at the age of eight and joined the Royal Ballet in 2003.
Critics have described the couple's dancing style as "both deliciously earnest, hopeful and fun" with one saying: "The poetic logic of Wright's choreography depends on buoyant footwork and a curving, almost delirious freedom in the upper body, and Cope and Kay possess these qualities in spades."
Image supplied by Ballet News
