Alina Cojocaru, Sadler's Wells

Originally from Romania and trained first in Kiev, under the Russian system, and then at The Royal Ballet School in London, Alina Cojocaru has graced many international stages with her incomparable dancing.

Cojocaru’s solid technique is complemented by acting that reaches to the very depth of the viewers’ souls, whether she’s a fizzing Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty, the peasant girl deceived by an aristocrat who nevertheless finds life-saving forgiveness in her spirit in Giselle, or the exotic temple dancer in the Russian classic La Bayadère – to mention but a few of the many roles of her illustrious career.

Now a lead principal dancer with English National Ballet and a guest principal with Hamburg Ballet, Alina Cojocaru was for many years a leading member of the Royal Ballet. There she met the Danish star Johan Kobborg, with whom she formed the perfect onstage partnership, which then evolved into a life partnership.

Kobborg is in his mid-40s and no longer dancing regularly, but he has produced programmes starring Alina, where he often makes cameo appearances.

So, the programme coming to Sadler’s Wells this winter brings together Cojocaru and Kobborg, as well as guest dancers whose names have not yet been officially announced.

However, a little research indicates that one of the stars joining them will be the mercurial Sergei Polunin, with whom Kobborg has collaborated over the past year. If this is confirmed, Polunin will dance the role created by Rudolf Nureyev in Ashton’s Marguerite et Armand. Alina will take on the role of the consumptive courtesan Marguerite created by Margot Fonteyn.

Both are well acquainted with this intense doomed love story, having danced it while at the Royal Ballet.

Details of the rest of the programme, said to include both old and new works, have not yet been announced. Nor do we know the names of the other performers, but it’s very possible that the cast will include the virtuoso Cuban Osiel Gouneo, now a principal with Munich’s Bayerische Staatsoper Ballet.

Watch this space for regular updates.