Introducing ... ballet star Leanne Cope

Leanne Cope as a star in Cinderella
Hannah Nathanson10 April 2012

At 27, Leanne Cope, a First Artist at the Royal Ballet, already feels like a 'middle-aged' dancer having started her career aged 11 when she joined White Lodge, the Royal Ballet's feeder school in Richmond Park. 'I'd only ever been to London to see Jason Donovan in

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Having pirouetted from the corps de ballet to lead roles in The Nutcracker and Asphodel Meadows, a new ballet by Liam Scarlett which is up for a Critics' Circle award, Leanne feels most at home on stage at the Royal Opera House. Last Christmas, when dancing the role of Clara in The Nutcracker, she accepted a marriage proposal from her boyfriend of ten years, soloist Paul Kay. 'In the final scene, the Nutcracker gives Clara a piece of paper which usually has an address written on it. On the last night it said: "Will you marry me?" I don't know how I contained myself in front of 2,500 people. After the curtain call, he got down on one knee and the whole cast cheered.'

How do you spend a day off?
The first thing I do is paint my nails. When I stop dancing I'd love to do an Emma Watson and get a funky haircut.

What's the best thing about the job?
Dressing up every night. I'm not a girly girl but the make-up, the sparkle and the tiaras bring it out in me.

Do you ever feel body-conscious?
Body image is a massive thing. We stand in front of the mirror all day and look for faults.We're all aiming for perfection.

How will you spend Christmas?
I'm dancing in Beatrix Potter on Christmas Eve and then I'll drive home to Bath. I play a squirrel, in a big costume, so I can indulge over Christmas.

What makes you proud?
My bunion-free feet. I can get through a pair of pointe shoes in a day so I'm also an expert at sewing.

What's next?
I'm dancing as Juliet's friend in Romeo and Juliet at The O2 next year. The cast of Glee are performing after us and I'm a huge fan. I'd love to bump into Lea Michele.
HANNAH NATHANSON

Leanne will be appearing in Cinderella, and The Tales of Beatrix Potter, at the Royal Opera House until 10 January (roh.org.uk)

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