Anna Rose O’Sullivan: I dreamed of dancing in Darcey Bussell’s shoes... now I’m the Royal Ballet lead in The Nutcracker

Anna Rose O’Sullivan is preparing for her first leading role, as Clara in the Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker
Star on the rise: Ana Rose O’Sullivan in rehearsals for The Nutcracker with James Hay
Miranda Bryant4 December 2015

As a young girl, Anna Rose O’Sullivan dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina like her idol Darcey Bussell.

Now 21, she is a step closer to reaching that goal as she prepares for her first leading role, as Clara in the Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker.

The part is traditionally seen as an indicator that a ballerina has future star potential. It has been played by Alina Cojocaru, a principal at English National Ballet, and Royal Ballet first soloist Francesca Hayward.

O’Sullivan, from Ruislip, has been dancing since the age of two and joined the company in 2012 from the Royal Ballet School. She has the endorsement of the production’s choreographer Sir Peter Wright, who said he was “very impressed”.

Dancing since the age of two: Anna Rose O’Sullivan

Describing the moment she was cast in the role, she told the Standard: “I just straight away called my mum and gran, because they love The Nutcracker— we love Christmas in our house — so they’re going to be very happy.

“To do a lead role is what I’m aiming for so I’m very lucky to get the opportunity.”

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It is not the first time she has appeared in The Nutcracker. As a student she played smaller roles such as Rat and Gingerbread. “So to now do Clara it’s a lovely progression and I’m very lucky to be able to do it,” she said.

She added: “My dream is to make it to the top, to be a principal dancer. I’m ambitious and I’m going to work very hard to get there. I’m would like to do a dramatic role like Juliet or a classic role.”

She also hopes to be a role model to others. “It’s an amazing thing to be able to show younger generations what’s possible,” she said. “It would be lovely and a real privilege to be seen to have inspired someone.”

Role model: Darcey Bussell

O’Sullivan’s own role model is former Royal Ballet star Bussell, who played the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.

She said: “Because she’s British it’s really inspiring to see someone from your country push through the ranks, she’s really inspiring to everyone at the Royal Ballet School. She’s so athletic and that’s something I really enjoy seeing. She had such attack. I always look at her videos.”

O’Sullivan is the only dancer in her family. She said: “I always joke that my family has got great ability, they just haven’t used it.”

Sir Peter created the Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker 31 years ago, and he said he was delighted it had “stood the test of time as it were”.

Giving O’Sullivan his seal of approval, he said: “It’s very hard to prophesise but I’ve been very impressed. She’s got all the makings of a future ballerina, you can never tell but one could say she’s well on the right track.

“What is so important if you’re going to be a ballerina is that you have the stamina because it’s very tough.

“This is a very good indication. If you can get through this pas de deux when you’re not that experienced that’s a very good sign. She’s excelled wonderfully really.”

The Nutcracker is at the Royal Opera House from December 8 to January 14. It will be relayed live to cinemas on December 16 with a repeat screening on December 27.

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