English National Ballet announced today that Wayne Eagling, the company’s artistic director since 2005, will step down at the end of this season.
Eagling, who will leave on August 11, 2012, has directed the company for almost seven years. As director, he has introduced works such as Michael Corder’s The Snow Queen and David Dawson’s Faun(e) to the company’s repertoire. He has revived ballets by Roland Petit and Serge Lifar. He has also choreographed works for the company, including Men Y Men and his recent Nutcracker, created in 2010.
Wayne Eagling said: “It has been a privilege to work with such a wonderful group of dancers and ballet staff. The quality of performances, variety of repertoire, critical success and the innovative work of the Learning and Outreach programmes over the last seven years makes me incredibly proud of English National Ballet.”
John Talbot, the company’s chairman, said: “On behalf of the board of English National Ballet, I would like to thank Wayne Eagling for his outstanding contribution to the company over the last seven years, a time of tremendous achievement for the company. We look forward to working with him on many projects in the future.”
English National Ballet is now inviting applicants for the position of artistic director.
Picture: Wayne Eagling. Photograph: Patrick Baldwin
