Interview with James Hay

Don’t tell me I have done a good job

The First Soloist at the Royal Ballet prefers to know if he has danced well himself rather than to hear somebody else telling him so. Yet he is well-mannered, amiable and he likes to laugh. ALESSANDRO BIZZOTTO met him and talked with him about self-confidence, new roles and artistry, and found out why today he cares more about pushing the level of his ability.

The corridors of the Royal Opera House are flooded with light. I’ve always found this theatre one of the most luminous ones among the big international opera houses. I continue to think so as James Hay leads me through stairs and hallways on a rainy London morning.

Born in Berkshire, Hay joined the Royal Ballet nearly ten years ago and got promoted to First Soloist in 2015.

„I have more than one hour“ he tells me as we sit on a sofa under what seems like a white neon light. „I have a rehearsal just after 11:00“.

The Royal Ballet production of Mayerling, choreographed by Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992), to music by Franz Liszt (1811-1886), Credit: Johan Persson / Royal Opera House / ArenaPAL