5:30am Thursday 25th October 2007
By Emma Clayton
The cast of Northern Ballet Theatre's acclaimed production of Romeo and Juliet often end up in tears as the show reaches its tragic climax.
But this Saturday's closing performance at the Alhambra will be even more emotional for one principal dancer.
It will be Japanese ballerina Chiaki Nagao's final performance of Juliet, a role that has earned her international acclaim.
Chiaki, 38, is retiring after 16 years with the Leeds-based Northern Ballet Theatre (NBT) - and her final performance as Juliet is at the Alhambra.
"It will be a very emotional night for me," said Chiaki, whose family is coming over from Japan to watch her final performance.
"It was a dream come true to play Juliet, it can be very difficult for me to get back to reality after the show as the story is so sad.
"When I joined the company they were rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and I longed to play her. A year or so later I had my chance, it has been the highlight of my career."
Olivier award-nominated Chaiki, who grew up in Hokkaido, Japan, first danced Juliet for NBT founder Christopher Gable before his death in 1998.
"At the end he gave me a big hug. He had tears in his eyes," she said. "I have special memories of this company. I even met my husband through it!"
Last summer Chaiki married NBT deputy stage manager Chun-Yen Chia. She is looking forward to taking a break after retirement.
"I want to learn to drive and use a computer - normal things I've never had time to do because ballet has been my life!" she said.
Romeo and Juliet features young pupils at Shipley dance school the DM Academy. Felicity Brearley, eight, Jenny Moore and Toby Hammond, both nine, play children of Verona.
Visitors had chance to see Chiaki and the cast at work in their dance class today. Their daily class was opened to the public as part of a series of events held by the NBT this week to make dance more accessible. Visitors have also been learning steps from the show with dancers, and visually impaired people were given a touch tour of the stage, allowing them to feel costumes and join dancers in a movement from the show. Tonight there is a pre-performance talk, with company members, from 6.30pm.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/trade_directory/