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If you live in the UK you may have seen a few photographs of me in the paper last week. Some time ago, Audi asked if I would help out at the launch of the new A8, an environmentally friendly aluminium car, and I said I'd be delighted as Audi are very generous sponsors of the Royal Ballet. The fact that the dates coincided with the start of the new season at the Opera House was excellent - I hoped it might have meant a bit of publicity for the Royal Ballet too.
When Scott Henshall (the dress designer) spoke to me, I decided to be a bit more daring than usual in the choice of outfit - you can't be seen as a princess all the time, can you? I've known Scott since he started designing for Mulberry so I was looking forward to our discussions. Since the Royal Ballet were doing a contemporary triple bill at the time we decided to stick with that theme. In fact, what I wore to the shoot was actually tamer than we'd originally planned - I was a bit disappointed that my boots weren't the thigh length ones we'd talked about! As to those pictures in the press - I was very 'straight' through all the photography and it was only when I was walking back down the catwalk after unveiling the car that the photographers asked me to do a turn. Well, I thought nothing of it. When they immediately asked for another, I obliged, totally oblivious to any dangers. Now I'd been prepared to shock, but didn't expect to reveal quite so much of myself or to see those pictures the next day in the papers. It's a good job I'm not taking it all too seriously. The funny thing is, though, that I've often had to wear a lot less and behave more daringly on stage. Maybe the ladies and gentlemen of the press should come to the ballet more often.
You may remember I mentioned the possibility of Coalport (a brand of Wedgwood) making a China figurine of me. This has gone ahead and the launch of the first, Odette, will be in November. It is a great honour to have been chosen by Coalport and I am thrilled and very proud. Here are some initial photos - I hope you like them.
I am still working my way through your questions for the FAQ page. As soon as I've chosen the best ones for the page, they'll be added to the site. A book I have been involved with, 'Favourite Ballet Stories', has finally been published. You can buy a signed copy from the ROH shop or you might try to win a signed copy by answering the following question :
What was the name of my character in The Prince of the Pagodas.
To enter, send an e-mail to the site giving your name, address and the correct answer. Closing date for entries is the 30th of November 2002.
I hope you enjoyed the newsletter. Please come back again to see what I have been up to.
Enjoy your dance.
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