5 Questions to Shiori Kase – Principal with English National Ballet and dancing Raymonda at the premiere on 18 January 2022.

English National Ballet dance Raymonda at the London Coliseum from 18 – 23 January 2022.
More details at www.ballet.org.uk

It’s an incredibly busy time for Shiori Kase as she dances the lead role in the long awaited premiere of Tamara Rojo’s Raymonda next week. We had 5 questions, but not to overly impose, the kicker was that Shiori could answer each in short order – often in just one or two sentences…

Q: So, what’s it been like creating the leading role in a new ballet under Covid? How long have you been working on Raymonda?

SK: The lockdown brought its own set of challenges to the creation process but It was so lovely to still be in the studio working on a production.
 

How do you prepare for a new dramatic role?

For me, the motivation behind the character’s action is most important thing. Once I have a good understanding of this I feel much more confident becoming the character.
 

Do you have any pre-premiere or pre-show rituals?

My whole preparation before the show is a ritual. If I don’t follow this routine, I start to get nervous.
 

What’s your earliest dance memory, and what would you be if you weren’t a dancer?

My first time dancing a solo in pointe shoes. I danced Cupid from Don Quixote, it is a very hard solo for a first attempt. I remember my teacher told me to do lots of pointe work and so I stole my mums kitchen to do tonnes of relevés at home.
 

I love the idea of travelling to countries for a job so probably something that would allow me to do that.
 

Who are your dance heroes and what’s your motto or mantra in life?

I have always tried to be thankful for what I have and the people around me.