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Claire Robertson
Available to sponsor
Biography
Born in London, Claire trained at the London Studio Centre, and joined Scottish Ballet in 1994. Since then she has danced in many of the Company’s productions including Page’s Cheating, Lying, Stealing, The Nutcracker (Marie), Cinderella (Cinderella), Soft Underbelly, Room Of Cooks, Walking In The Heat, Fearful Symmetries and The Sleeping Beauty (Aurora and Cinderella), Pennies From Heaven, Samsova’s Swan Lake (Cygnets), Darrell’s Tales of Hoffmann (pas de trois), Cinderella (Exotic Birds), Giselle, Five Rückert Songs (The Woman) and Othello (Desdemona), Fokine’s Les Sylphides (Waltz Girl), Prokovsky’s Vespri (pas de deux), Legats’ The Fairy Doll, MacMillan’s Diversions, Adam Cooper’s Just Scratchin’ the Surface (Bums), Tim Rushton’s Night Life, van Manen’s Sarcasms, Twilight and Two Pieces For Het, Ashton’s The Two Pigeons (The Gypsy Girl), Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan, Façade and Scènes de Ballet, North’s The Snowman (Snowmaiden), Alston’s Dangerous Liaisons (which she also performed as part of the Dance Umbrella Gala) and Carmen (Carmen), Balanchine's The Four Temperaments (Second Variation, Sanguinic, Choleric), Apollo, Episodes, Agon and Rubies, Forsythe’s Artifact Suite (Duet 1) and Workwithinwork, Pastor’s Romeo and Juliet (Juliet and Lady Capulet) and In Light and Shadow (Aria duet) and Petronio’s Ride The Beast.
Quotes
ROMEO AND JULIET 2010
.Press & Journal, 14 May 2010 – The final scenes when Romeo takes his own life after believing Juliet has taken hers were genuinely moving, with Blyde and Robertson turning in outstanding performances.
.Moray Firth Radio - As Juliet’s mother, Claire Robertson was her usual excellent self displaying her own inner conflict within the wider conflict of the story, between her motherly love for Juliet and her duty to her husband and her family.
.InformedEdinburgh –
Claire Robertson puts in a poised, graceful performance as Juliet’s mother, and indeed some of the most beautiful moments of the show come when the two women are dancing together.
THE NUTCRACKER 2009/10
.Daily Telegraph, 14 Dec 2009 – It presents the ballet’s final pas de deux (between the tale’s young lovers, danced exquisitely by Erik Cavallari and Claire Robertson) with a beautifully executed classicism.
.The Herald, 14 Dec 2009 –
Claire Robertson’s spirited Marie is an expressive mix of vulnerability and determination - utterly deserving of Erik Cavallari’s noble Prince, their closing pas de deux a radiant outpouring of consummate partnering worth a galaxy of stars in itself.
.The Scotsman, 14 Dec 2009 – The grand pas de deux between principal dancers Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari is a spell-binding blend of romance and masterful technique.
.Dancing Times, February 2010 –
Claire Robertson and her prince Erik Cavallari blossom with grace and classical technique to spare.
.The Stage, 7 January 2010 –
Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari take to the lead roles with aplomb.
. Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 4 February 2010 – Erik Cavallari was excellent as the Nutcracker Prince, while Claire Robertson was his perfect partner as Marie, their Grand Pas getting the biggest applause of the evening.
AUTUMN 2009
Forsythe’s Workwithinwork
.
The Stage
, 02 October 2009 – Especially beautiful, with elongated limbs, are Claire Robertson and Eve Mutso.
Pastor’s In Light and Shadow
.wwwwords.blogspot, October 2009 – The Air, danced perfectly by Claire Robertson and William Smith
SPRING 2009
Alston’s Carmen
.Turriff Advertiser Series, 07 May 2009 – Principal dancer Claire Robertson starred as the titular character, managing to give her sexy, aggressive nature a sympathetic edge.
Page’s Cheating, Lying, Stealing
.The Scotsman, 17 April 2009 - one of the best performances the principals of this company have ever given
.The Daily Telegraph, 17 April 2009 – … urgent steps prove a fabulous showcase for Erik Cavallari and Claire Robertson
.The Sunday Times, 26 April 2009 – The dancers’ performances are heroic – Erik Cavallari and Claire Robertson particularly.
.jenniemacfie.wordpress.com, 17th May 2009 - The individual duets and trios provided many opportunities to admire the dancing skills of the company members, including Martin, now ably partnered by Adam Blyde, Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari, and the ever-watchable Paul Liburd.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 2008-2009
.The Herald, 9 December 2008– Claire Roberston, so technically assured, so full of joie de vivre.
.Reviewsesteria.com, 21 January 2009 –
Claire Robertson as the heroine, Aurora, brings understated charm and gentleness to the role and her interpretation is duvet-light. Hovering, floating, soaring, you’re almost straining to see if wires are holding up her dreamy, wafty limbs as she gives gravity the two-fingered salute with both grace and poetry.
.Western Mail, 23January 2009 – It is rare to see a role danced with such obvious enjoyment as Claire Robertson portrayed Aurora. Technically accomplished, Robertson demonstrated her talent in the long sequences her part required. More than this though was the abandon with which she threw herself into the character of the young princess: her duet with the prince after her wakes her is one of the most romantic I have seen.’
.The Skinny, January 2009 – The love scene between Princess Aurora (Claire Robertson) and the Prince (Erik Cavallari) is a stunning enactment of pure romance. It looks exactly like you want fairy tale love to look like.
.Edinburgh Evening News, 8 January 2009 – With Claire Robertson delightfully bashful as Aurora, the ballet really swoops into full flight… she really manages to draw out the passion in the ballet.’
.Dance Expression, February 2009 – Highlights are definitely the playful falling in love pas de deux of Aurora and her Prince after the awakening kiss: truly a moment of showpiece choreography, danced with confidence and style by Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari.
ROMEO AND JULIET 2008
.Hi-Arts, 3rd June 2008 –
Claire Robertson’s Juliet embodied all the lyricism and innocence of Prokofiev’s themes, continuing to evolve as her character develops.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY 2007-2008
.The Daily Telegraph, 13 December 2007 – …beautiful opening night performances from Soon Ja Lee, Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari in particular.
.Scotland on Sunday, 16 December 2007 – Claire Robertson’s solo as the innocent, intense 16-year-old princess is the highlight
.Scotland on Sunday, 16 December 2007 – Some of the duets in the wedding scene, particularly the stylish, spiky pas de deux between Sophie Martin and her Prince and the pure romance of the ballet danced by principals Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari as Princess Aurora and the Prince, showcase Scottish Ballet’s talent at its best.
.Northern Echo, 22 February 2008 – Claire Roberson’s Aurora is charmingly fresh and youthful and Erik Cavallari as the Prince is the epitome of the romantic hero.
EIF 2007
Page’s Fearful Symmetries
.The Herald, 21 August 2007 – Erik Cavallari is the wonderfully self-possessed Alpha Male, with three stunning ballerinas – Eve Mutso, Claire Robertson and Sophie Martin – servicing the different facets of his technique.
SPRING 07
Darrell’s Othello
.Sunday Herald, 15 April 2007 – Rising star Claire Robertson is typically engaging
CINDERELLA 2006/2007
.Sunday Herald, 17 Dec 2006 – Robertson and Cavallari makes a dreamy couple, near luminous in bright white… Their pas de deux at the ball has all the other-wordly beauty and purity of line you could hope for from a romantic duet.
.Ballet.co.uk, Jan 2007 – Claire Robertson danced bewitchingly as the heroine
.South Wales Echo, 26 Jan 2007 – Claire Robertson brought youth, vitality and a real athleticism to her role as Cinderella, dancing the first act in bare feet with grace and strength.
.South Wales Echo, 26 Jan 2007 – Claire Robertson's Cinderella is well partnered by her dark and handsome prince Erik Cavallari and even their most intimate pas de deux is danced with vibrance, verve and youthful enthusiasm.
AUTUMN 2006
Forsythe's Artifact Suite
The Herald 5*, October 12 2006 - Claire Robertson and Patricia Hines carve geometrics in space with lethal pointe shoes.
EIF 2006
Balanchine’s Agon
.Sunday Herald, 03 Sept 2006 – The women, especially Eve Mutso, Sophie Martin and Claire Robertson, are ravishing.
SPRING 2006
Forsythe’s Suite from Artifact
.Sunday Express, 19 March 2006 – Robertson also dominates the first half of William Forsythe’s Suite from Artifact… Robertson is generous of movement, always cool but always at the limit, a fascinating combination of opposing qualities perfectly matching Forsythe’s spiky but romantic interpretation of Bach’s violin Chacone in D minore.
. The Herald, 31 March 2006 – Hines, who lasered through the whole programme with fierce finesse – and Lehmus, Mutso, Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari collected burnished honours in Forsythe’s Suite from Artifact, a tour de force that deserved the cheering ovation.
Balanchine’s Episodes
. The Scotsman, 1 April 2006 – When Ashley Page arrived at Scottish Ballet, one of his aims was to create “star” performers, much like Royal Ballet. In Patricia Hines, Claire Robertson, Paul Liburd and Sophie Martin, he’s got them.
CINDERELLA 2005-2006
. Herald, 14 December 2005 – Robertson is radiant, affecting and technically assured.
. Leopard Magazine, December 2005/January 2006 - Individual dancers like Claire Robertson, Patricia Hines, Diana Loosmore, Oliver Rydout and Jarkko Lehmus shone.
. The Times, 15 December 2005 – Claire Robertson, as the girl of the cinders, is sweetly vulnerable, but also plucky enough to grab her chances.
. The Independent, 16 December 2005 - Claire Robertson is a sweet Cinderella…
. Independent on Sunday, 18 December 2005 – There are three reasons to see this Cinderella…. Secondly, Claire Robertson’s titular heroine – appealingly vulnerable, technically assured and heroically tireless in a marathon of a role.
.Sunday Herald, 18 December 2005 - … a radiant Claire Robertson.
.Edinburghguide.com, 19 December 2005 – Claire Robertson and Cristo Vivancos make a beautiful young couple, touching, holding, smiling at each other as they dance closer and closer together through the night until the clock strikes midnight.
.The Stage, 31 December 2005 - … but ends up with a gloriously satisfying performance of the Grand Pas de Deux from CristoVivancos and Claire Robertson.
.Dance Europe, January 2006 - … Cinderella, delightfully danced by Claire Robertson…
.The Observer, 8 January – … Claire Robertson’s Cinderella comes across as a sweet, rather dreamy moth.
.The Skinny, 5 February 2006 – Claire Robertson as Cinders and Fairy Godmother Soon Ja Lee shine, their fine technique and luminosity grabbing the audience’s attention along with the lavish costumes they wear to the ball…
.Ballet.co.uk, March 2006 – Both (Erik Cavallari and Claire Robertson) are strong dancers and delivered their solos well.
.Sunday Express, 19 March 2006 - … but it is Claire Robertson’s ballet…. But partnered by Erik Cavallari, she brings a lyrical luminosity to some Page’s most beautiful steps in the ballroom love duets.
.The Daily Telegraph, 20 March 2006 – Claire Robertson was a prettily proportioned heroine…
AUTUMN 2005
Balanchine’s Apollo
.The Herald, 12 September 2005 – Eve Mutso, Soon Ja Lee and Claire Robertson are inspiring Muses.
EIF 2005
Balanchine’s Rubies
. The Herald, 27 August 2005 - … Miss Mutso in her element, as is Claire Robertson…
SPRING 2005
Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments
.The Herald, 14 April 2005 –
Claire Robertson, in partnership with Cristo Vivancos, delivers a fizzy, vibrant Sanguinic.
.The Independent, 19 April 2005 – Claire Robertson leads the Coleric variation with furious sweep.
THE NUTCRACKER 2004 - 2005
. The Herald, 15 December 2004 –
Claire Robertson and Tatiana Loginova both give an engagingly convincing reading of Marie – Roberton’s little girl has a nice hint of coltish adolescence that acquires a stately poise by the time she’s in the arms of Cristo Vivancos for the final Grand Pas de Deux.
AUTUMN 2004
. Scotland on Sunday, 12 September 2004 –
Claire Robertson was a revelation – sex on legs.
Van Manen’s Two pieces for HET
. The Herald, 16 September 2004 - … in Two Pieces for HET with the wonderfully poised, mischievous Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari turning up the heat with every glance.
. The Scotsman, 17 September 2004 – Claire Robertson re-emerged as one of the Scottish Ballet brightest stars…
. The Times, 17 September 2004 – Erik Cavallari and Claire Robertson gave mature performances.
. Ballet.co.uk, 20 September 2004 – It is a rich concoction which was further enhanced by the elegant performances of Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari.
. The Sunday Times Culture, 26 September 2004 - Claire Robertson and Erik Cavallari convoyed a potent electric charge in Two Pieces for HET.
Van Manen’s Twilight
. The Stage, 23 September 2004 - Claire Robertson holds power over Adrian Cunescu, with her domineering white high heels bringing new meaning to the words “power walking”.
. Nairnshire Telegraph, 5 October 2004 – Claire Robertson danced the opening piece in stiletto shoes with all the sexual menace the choreographer intended…
SPRING 2004
Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments
. The Herald, 01 April 2004 – … real mettle in Claire Robertson’s Sanguinic.
. The Herald, 01 April 2004 – Lovely exactness, too, in the Choleric of Soon Ja Lee and real mettle in Claire Robertson’s Sanguinic.
. The Sunday Times, 11 April 2004 – Claire Robertson and Cristo Vivancos make an elegant couple in Sanguinic.
. Observer (Review), 18 April 2004 – Claire Robertson, incisive as Sanguinic, reveals her vulnerable side as the woman in Five Ruckert Songs.
. Dance now, Summer 2004 – There were other exemplary performances: Claire Robertson (Sanguinic), Soon Ja Lee (Choleric).
AUTUMN 2003
Page’s Cheating, Lying, Stealing
. The Herald, 26 Sept 2003- Tatiana Loginova, Cristo Vivancos, Claire Robertson and Robin Bernadet served up Page’s sizzling, slithery moves with the kind of pzazz that augers well for the future.