Photographer Tom J. Johnson – Fashion Editor Oisin Boyd and Ellie May Brown – Talent William Bracewell represented by Ryko World – Grooming by Doey Drummond using Tatcha – Photographer Assistant Luke Regan – Fashion Assistant Bláthnaid Page – Interview by Francesca Fusetti – Special Thanks to Royal Opera House // Coat, Tanktop and Shorts Ami – Leggings William’s Own // Total Look Celine // Coat Fendi – Trousers Jordanluca
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The lights on the stage turn on, the crowd is silencing, the orchestra begins playing its first notes, the curtain opens, and you’re on stage with the whole world waiting for you to make a move. Can you take us through what you experience in that moment?
A lot of the time I try to concentrate on the breath. Before every performance, there’s so much adrenaline and energy cursing through your body. What I try to do is to ground myself, and feel weighted. There are days when I’m concentrated and grounded and I have nothing to worry about, while other days I’m not as grounded as I would like to be, so what I do is try to connect my mind and body and feel as confident as I can.
You started ballet when you were very young. Was it a popular sport amongst boys your age? What made you decide that ballet was for you instead of any other sport?
No, it wasn’t popular, any form of dance wasn’t huge amongst boys when I was growing up. What I love about ballet is that it straddles sport and art, and since my young age that’s what piqued my interest. There was a very physical aspect to it and as I was a hyperactive, young kid, it was vital for my sanity and my family’s sanity. Since 8/9 years old I started to tell stories with dance, even if it was a tiny little solo dressed up as a frog. It struck me that I could use my body to tell a story without saying a single word.
Now look how far you’ve come, you’re the principal dancer of The Royal Ballet of London. How does it feel?
I still have moments where I can’t believe that I’m doing what I love at such a high level. I had one of my old teachers coming to see one of the performances a few days ago and she sent me an e-mail saying how proud she has been of me since I was 11 years old. Some moments take me off guard: when I’m in the studio I see dancers I looked up to and now I’m dancing with them. I feel so lucky to love something so much that it became my job, my vocation.
Total Look Maison Margiela // Total Look Maison Margiela
Who would you say was the person that encouraged you the most to pursue your career as a professional ballet dancer?
So many people. I can’t name just one, but I would start with my mum. She is amazing. She would drive me to the classes, and always encourage me to keep going. Then, my first ballet dance teacher, Pamela Miller . There were moments when I doubted myself, didn’t know if my passion was genuine, and was worried about getting bullied. She encouraged me to keep going, and I’m so glad that she did. I had several teachers that supported me and now I have several colleagues that push me always to do my best.
Who’s your biggest inspiration? Do you have a specific dancer you look up to?
It’s strange because when I was younger a lot of my inspiration came through video, or teachers and now that I’m dancing with the Royal Ballet, the people I work with are my biggest inspiration. The people I share the studio with. I cannot share how happy I am with the amount of talent, work ethic, and artistic inspiration that’s in the building, not only just the dancers but also the musicians.
What encounter signified the most in your career?
I was really lucky when I graduated from the Royal Ballet School and got a job with them. The director at the time, David Bintley, saw something and offered me a job. He didn’t let me coast, instead, he pushed me and gave me incredible things to dance. Seven years later I had an encounter with someone from the Royal Ballet, and she said ‘Have you ever thought about coming to the Royal Ballet?’ Of course, that thought occurred to me but I never saw it quite clearly and just with that encounter it made me want to try and get a job there. So I moved from Birmingham to London. I knew there was this opportunity so I took the risk.
Balaclava Jil Sander by Lucie and Luke Meier // Total Look Alexander McQueen
What’s your favourite piece you’ve danced so far, and why?
The one that comes really on top of the list is the piece of Woolf Works, choreographed by Wayne McGregor, and what he does so eloquently is take huge life events and concentrate them down into movements and create a performance that shows so many feelings in a short space and time. It’s so rewarding. To share that with anyone resonates on a deep emotional level that I don’t know if I could ever verbally communicate.
When you’re dancing, you also have to remember that you play a role, like an actor. How do you prepare yourself for the role you’re about to interpret?
Well, first is learning about the character and figuring out how old are they, where they live, what they do, how they act, how they walk, what they like or don’t, and what’s their motive. From there I join what similarities I have with this character from experiences to feelings. So I try to find common threads and I tap into emotions and look for something similar inside of me.
What’s your dream role?
Well, that’s tricky. Do you know that I’ve never played a role similar to me? I’ve never played a man who’s in love with another man, and these pieces exist I may dance them and be a disaster since it hits too close to home, but I’d love to try.
What advice would you give to young boys who want to do ballet?
Do it. It’s amazing. Don’t let any sort of stereotype or norm control your decision. We live in a changing world, and these norms and structures hold less and less value. They’re there to be dissected and torn apart. If it’s something you’re passionate about hold on to that, why not try and continue that?
Coat Jil Sander by Lucie and Luke Meier // Coat Jil Sander by Lucie and Luke Meier
William Bracewell will be performing in Manon on 20 January and 3 February 2024. Shoot location courtesy of the Royal Opera House.