Ballet Cymru Marks 40 Years, Founder Recalls Humble Beginnings

Ballet Cymru, a professional dance company based in Newport, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking a significant milestone for its founder, Darius James. James recalled a childhood promise made at age 10 to the Gwent County Council: if given funding, he would return to his community in Newport and use his skills to benefit it.

James's path to professional ballet was unusual for a boy growing up in Newport during the 1970s. He credited his parents for their support, particularly his father, a factory worker and keen footballer, who embraced James's passion despite initial unfamiliarity. "He didn't really understand at the beginning, but he loved it," James said.

He noted that parental understanding remains a challenge for some young dancers today. "We work with a lot of young people now whose parents are not quite as understanding, even 40 years later, which is a bit depressing."

The early years of Ballet Cymru were marked by financial struggles. After initial backing from the Arts Council of Wales, the company operated for 13 years without any funding and for 28 years without a dedicated studio. To sustain the company, James toured with other troupes, including Northern Ballet.

Co-artistic director Amy Doughty, who joined Ballet Cymru as a dancer in 1996, described the logistical challenges of rehearsing in various available spaces. "We'd have to carry in all the ballet bars, all the equipment that we use, all the dance floors," she said. The company finally acquired its current studio in 2014, renovated from a warehouse with National Lottery funding. The studio is located on the same industrial estate where James's father once worked.

In its initial stages, James admitted to concealing the word "ballet" on the company van used for community workshops, fearing it might deter potential participants. However, Doughty believes attitudes have evolved. "I think we've worked really hard in Newport to go into schools, to do shows here, to really develop people who understand what we're about," she stated. IMAGE2: A group of Ballet Cymru dancers pose for a picture, smiling. Six of them stand up with their arms around each other, while four sit on the floor in front of them. "IMAGE5: Amy Doughty is pictured from the shoulders up in the rehearsal studio, smiling. She has long, wavy ginger hair and is wearing a black top. " IMAGE6: Darius James is pictured from the shoulders up in a white room, smiling. He is a man with a short grey beard, wearing black thin-framed glasses and a brown hoodie. "