Ballet star makes romantic return as Juliet after serious illness

First love: Cuthbertson and Watson in the Royal Ballet's Romeo And Juliet in 2004
12 April 2012

Star dancer Lauren Cuthbertson is to top a triumphant comeback from serious illness by performing in the Royal Ballet's blockbuster show at the 02.

Only 18 months ago the 26-year-old Briton was suffering glandular fever that threatened to end her career.

But after fighting back to full fitness, her return is complete when she is reunited with Edward Watson for Prokofiev's version of Romeo And Juliet - which she first performed with him seven years ago when she made her leading lady debut.

"Since then we have both danced in Romeo And Juliet with other partners," said Cuthbertson. "Now we're back together so it has come full circle. It's quite romantic."

British ballet's poster girl, hailed as the next Darcey Bussell, is delighted to be joining her Royal Ballet colleagues as they move to Greenwich for four major performances next month.

She made a triumphant return to the stage in the Royal Ballet's new full-length ballet, Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, two months ago. Now
she will join the cast at the 02 after Mara Galeazzi withdrew from the show, which has already sold out the equivalent of four houses at the Royal Opera House in £10 tickets alone.

Another complete Covent Garden equivalent of 2,252 cheap seats is going on sale today to meet the demand after the production was redesigned to fit them in. More expensive tickets up to £65 are still available.

Cuthbertson said she was "really excited" at getting the chance to perform for so many people in a venue she had never even stepped inside until this week.

"It's a little bit daunting because I want people to have a fabulous time," she said. "But it's an opportunity for us to widen our audience and gain some new dance lovers. Usually we dance to 2,300 people and here it will be 12,000."

She is pleased that her health has improved so much she can manage the performance.

"This year was about making sure I was sensible and had no relapse," she said. "Luckily I've gone from strength to strength and I can take on this challenge at the end of the season."

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