Iconique - Bahamas 2025 Programme

After 12 months of planning, we are so delighted to share our full Iconique, 2025 programme with you.

From classical to contemporary, there is something to delight every dance novice and dance connoisseur alike.

Read on and book your seats before it is too late.

Book now

Children’s Matinee

Taking place on 9 March at 11.30am, the Children’s Matinee performance at Old Fort Bay is an exciting event for children, offering a magical and captivating introduction to the world of ballet and dance.

The matinee will feature exquisite ballet excerpts, and fun performances performed by some of the world’s most incredible dancers; showcasing the range as well as the elegance of this art form.

Hosted by the Bahamas’ very own super star ballerina, Courtney Celeste Spears, this show is perfect for all ages! After the performance, children will have the opportunity to ask questions, interact with the dancers and even have the chance to get the photo taken with them!

Interview with Lauren Cuthbertson

Photo credit: Andrej Uspenski

English dancer, Lauren Cuthbertson is a Principal of The Royal Ballet. She studied at The Royal Ballet School, before graduating into the Company in 2002. She became a Principal in 2008.  

Lauren was recipient of the Critics’ Circle National Dance Award for Outstanding Female Performance (Classical) in 2004 and 2021. She has performed as a guest artist with Teatro Colón, Teatro di San Carlo, Teatro dell’Opera di Roma and The Australian Ballet. She was invited by the Mariinsky Ballet to perform Sylvia (2018), Marguerite and Armand (2019) and The Sleeping Beauty (2020). She is Vice President of the British Ballet Organisation and Patron of London Children’s Ballet and the National Youth Ballet. 

Cuthbertson’s repertory with the Company includes Aurora, Odette/Odile and the Sugar Plum Fairy. Works by Frederick Ashton include the Young Girl in The Two Pigeons, Titania in The Dream, Natalia in A Month in the Country and Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand. She also featured in principal roles in many of Kenneth MacMillan’s ballets including Anastasia, Romeo and Juliet, Manon, Mayerling, Song of the Earth and The Judas Tree. She has also performed leading roles in works by other choreographers including George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Glen Tetley, David Bintley, Liam Scarlett and Alastair Marriott. Created roles for Wayne McGregor include Qualia,  Chroma,  Infra, Acis and Galatea, Live Fire Exercise, Tetractys and Multiverse. Cuthbertson performed Christopher Wheeldon’s Souvenirs while at The Royal Ballet School and went on to work with him closely, creating the role of Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Hermione in The Winter’s Tale. She also worked with Cathy Marston on first joining the Company and went on to create the leading role inspired by Jacqueline du Pré in The Cellist for which she won her 2021 Critics’ Circle National Dance Award. 

How long have you known Matt and been working with the Covent Garden Dance Company?

I have known Matt for over ten years and have worked consistently for the Covent Garden Dance Company over that period. Since having my two small children, I haven’t taken on any extra performances within my schedule, but now feels like the right time. I have an appetite to perform selected works and that is why I really enjoy working with Matt because he is so open to you suggesting works that you are inspired by, and think audiences would love to see you dance. That is why I am coming to the Bahamas this March.

Lauren Cuthbertson & Matthew Golding - Hatch House
Photo credit - Alice Pennefather

What will you be performing and with whom?

I’ll be performing two works by Christopher Wheeldon with Robbie Fairchild. It is our first time dancing together, and I am beyond excited to be performing with him. We’ve both worked separately with Chris, so to come together within his work feels quite special. I’ve danced Golden Hour before, which is one of our pas de deuxs, and the other one - which will be a debut for me - is called Mercurial Manoeuvres. Robbie has danced that work before so between us we have a history with one and are supporting the other one to debut. That feels really beautiful.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

I’m most looking forward to that feeling you get when the music starts and hopefully the audience is captivated and we are also captivated within the work and and we share that moment in time. Performing always feels completely special and unique and this time feels really special; dancing with Robbie for the first time with new repertoire. This is also my first time performing in the Bahamas.

Have you ever performed in the Bahamas before, can you tell us about the last experience? And if not, what are you most looking forward to?

After I had a foot operation a long time ago, I went with a dear friend to the Bahamas to recuperate. It is amazing to come back and think how worried I was to be able to get back to dancing after that foot surgery and questioning if I would every make it back to full fitness. Yet here I am, returning after many years, after sustaining a career and having children. So performing on the island for the first time with that in mind, will feel on a personal level, quite special.

When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel, what do you hope the audience feels?

When I am performing Golden Hour. I feel really serene and peaceful. Every movement that you take within the Golden Hour, feels meaningful because it is quite a sparse work in terms of steps. So you really have to engage your physicality with every single move and make it as smooth as possible.

Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6 March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?

It’s critical that children have access to the arts and I am so happy that we are going to bring some of what we do to the Bahamas. I certainly haven’t performed here before, but you never know, there may be someone in the audience who is so captivated by the music or the dance or the physicality, or it might make them feel wonderful to watch it. In this day and age with so much screen time, I feel like any art form is ever more important and engaging with each other and sharing in the moment is necessary, so I am really excited about that.

I hope we get to meet the children and talk to them. I always love to speak to children after a performance they’ve seen because they seem to be so receptive. They come out with some really insightful reactions because they are often seeing things for the first time and they have such a refreshing perspective.

What will you be working on after Iconique?

After Iconique, I will be heading back to London and performing in Serenade at the Royal Opera House and then debuting in another beautiful work by Christopher Wheeldon called The Two Of Us, so those are my next two engagements at the Royal Opera House.

Can you tell us something people don’t know about you – a fun fact perhaps?

I work with a perfumer, so for every big ballet that we perform, we work on making a scent for that ballet, so that each character has at least one scent. I have done this for my whole career, so now we have a whole library of scents which is quite unique.

Watch Lauren dancing as the original Alice in Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice in Wonderland.

Interview with Robbie Fairchild

Just a few weeks before Iconique 2025, we caught up with the incredible international artist, Robbie Fairchild, who is soon to partner Royal Ballet Principal Dancer, Lauren Cuthbertson in a stunning Christopher Wheeldon double bill.

ROBBIE FAIRCHILD made his Tony nominated Broadway debut in 2015 as Jerry Mulligan in the Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, which he reprised in London’s West End in 2017. He was awarded the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theater World, National Dance and Astaire Award for this performance and was nominated for the Evening Standard and Drama League Awards.

From 2009 to 2017, Fairchild performed as a Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet. His other theatre credits include Monster in Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein (Signature Theater, Chita Rivera Award), Harry Beaton in Brigadoon (New York City Center), Will Parker in Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall, London), Mike Costa in A Chorus Line (Hollywood Bowl), and Bill Calhoun in Kiss Me Kate (Roundabout Theater Company’s 2017 Gala).

Photo credit - Ryan Slack

His television credits include: Soundtrack (Netflix), Mixtape (FOX Pilot), Julie’s Greenroom (Netflix), Oklahoma! (BBC Proms), Romeo in Romeo and Juliet and Carousel Boy in NY Philharmonic’s Carousel (PBS’s Live from Lincoln Center), Dancing With The Stars, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Live with Kelly and Michael, CBS Sunday Morning, and 60 Minutes. Film: Tom Hooper's Cats, An American in Paris Live (West End Production), The Chaperone and NY Export: Opus Jazz.

What have you just been working on?

I have just been in London working on another workshop of The Artist - a stage adaptation of the Oscar-winning movie of 2011, it’s picking up steam and it’s really fun; a dance musical hybrid - like An American in Paris.

Can you please tell us what you are currently rehearsing / performing / working on aside from preparing for Iconique?

I’ve got a lot of Spring and Summer gigs lined up which I am really excited about. There is a lot of prep’ work for me to do; whether it’s choreographing or flying to different cities to meet with different choreographers to make new stuff, so I am really excited.

Photo credit - Erin Baiano

What will you be performing and with whom?

I am so excited to be doing Golden Hour and Mercurial Manoeuvres with Lauren Cuthbertson. We have known each other for so long and because we know each other through Christopher Wheeldon, it will be fun to get to connect on stage via his moves. I am really excited.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

I think I am looking forward to exploring our friendship on stage. I have admired her for years as an audience member and a friend, so to get to dance with her is a huge honour and a treat.

When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel, what do you hope the audience feels?

When I dance Christopher Wheeldon pas de deuxs, they feel so human; they transcend the classical form they are in, into something that feels so wonderfully personal. And I love that aspect of ballet, that it is something so classical and it can feel so far away, but then moments make it feel really human; Thank you Wheeldon!

Photo credit - Erin Baiano

Have you ever performed in the Bahamas before, can you tell us about the last experience? And if not, what are you most looking forward to?

I have never performed before in the Bahamas, but I have gone scuba-diving there which was heaven. I am very much looking forward to it. I love the people there, I love the culture and it will be fun to get to perform, not just go as a tourist.

You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world, who are you most looking forward to working alongside?

I cannot wait to dance with Lauren, but also alongside all of my fellow dancers who I have only been able to see dance online up until now. How exciting!

Photo credit - Paul Kolnik

Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6 March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?

Young audience members are so key. Dance is very unique and very special, but it’s very universal and in a very Tik Tok, Instagram reel world, there is something to be said about sitting down and spectating something that lasts longer than 30 seconds. So it is important to have those moments.

Can you tell me three things people don’t know about you – fun facts perhaps?

I don’t know if people will have gathered this, but I am an adventurer, I am very spontaneous and although I am very outgoing and extroverted, I really love my quiet time too.

Interview with Fernanda Oliveira

With Iconique, Bahamas, 2025 selling fast, we caught up with Lead Principal dancer of the English National Ballet, Fernanda Oliveira.

Read on to discover what Fernanda and her partner, Alejandro Virelles will be dancing at the Old Fort Bay Club, Nassau on 7 & 8 March, 2025.

What are you currently rehearsing / performing?

I’m currently rehearsing for Giselle in preparation for the English National Ballet’s final show of the winter season.

How long you have been working with Matt and the Covent Garden Dance Company?

I’ve known Matt for around 12 years. We’ve worked together on a few projects, but our first performance at Hatch House, was in 2022 when I danced with Fabian Reimair.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

I’m excited to perform for a new audience and share these beautiful pieces. I’ll be performing 3 Prelude by Ben Stevenson and  “Loss” by Ricardo Amarante alongside Alejandro Virelles.

When you’re dancing these works how does it make you feel and what do you hope the audience feels?

I love performing these ballets because opportunities like this don’t come around often; I really hope the audience can feel the joy and emotion they bring.

What are you looking forward to most about performing at Iconique?

It’ll be wonderful to meet new dancers and see the unique energy they bring to the stage.

Many children will be coming to watch the rehearsal on the 6th March - how important are these opportunities for future generations of dancers?

I hope the kids in the audience feel inspired by what we do—I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to share ballet with them.

Can you share something that people don’t know about you?

 I have two kids and I’ve never performed in the Caribbean before.

A video message from Mickaël Lafon

We cannot wait to welcome back the incredible on-stage and in life partnership of Étoile, Myriam Ould-Braham and Coryphée, Mickaël (Paris Opéra Ballet) to the Covent Garden Dance Company stage.

With only two months to go till Iconique, Bahamas and tickets selling fast, watch their video to discover what this world class couple will be dancing on the 7 & 8 March, 2025 at the Old Fort Bay Club, Nassau.

Interview with Courtney Celeste Spears

Courtney Celeste Spears, of Bahamian descent, is a professional dancer and dance educator with the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and has performed in over 15 countries including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, and The Netherlands.

Courtney has performed for two sitting US presidents, for President Barack Obama at the G7 summit in Germany in 2015 and for President Joe Biden & First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at the 2023 Governors Association at The White House.

Her work has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR, The New York Times, Shondaland, and Vanity Fair and she was a leading figure in The Black Iris Project's "A Mother's Rite" choreographed by artistic director Jeremy McQueen, which was nominated for a New York Emmy.

Ahead of our second Iconique Gala taking place in Nassau, Bahamas, we caught up with award winning, Courtney to discover more about the new and exciting piece she is creating to première on 7 & 8 March 2025.

She shares what impact working with Jazz composer Giveton Gelin has had upon her choreography, to what inspires her most about returning to the stage to dance. We cannot wait to watch Courtney’s Dicky Buckle funded creation in March.

Photo credit: NYC Dance Project

Please tell us what new work you have been creating for Covent Garden Dance Company.

This new work highlights my love of modern dance with jazz music. The full story line is being developed now, but its a solo followed by a duet. It’s set to an original score by Giveton Gelin, Bahamian jazz artist and composer. With costumes designed by Bahamian designer Phylicia Ellis and danced with Bahamian dancer Vernal Adderley.

How did the piece came about?

I was first introduced to Covent Garden Dance, Director, Matt Brady, via word of mouth on the island. In his incredible work with dance, people suggested he connect with me! What’s funny is that Matt thought that when he was coming to meet a “ballet teacher, who’s retired from Alvin Ailey, and lived in New York City for over a decade,” and he was coming to meet an older lady whose dance career was way behind them. As he described it, “in walks, this young beautiful lady,” who he immediately asks “why aren’t you performing?!” I laughed and told him I’d left the stage and was absolutely content in my role as an educator. Well, if you know Matt, you know that his kind spirit and bubbly personality is persuasive and by the end, I was convinced.

What inspired you to create this piece?

I wanted to highlight Bahamian creatives in a way that allows us to show our connection to spirit and soul. This piece was heavily inspired by the music created by Giveton Gelin and I wanted to allow myself the freedom to be inspired by the art around me and go from there.

What has been your favourite moment whilst preparing this piece?

Honestly, rehearsing with Vernal has been such a treat. It’s been so priceless to be in the studio again getting to work. Vernal is an exceptional dancer and an even more exceptional partner! He’s so strong, so caring, and so attentive. Moving like this again has been a gift.

What are you looking forward to most about performing this piece in March 2025?

I’m excited to dance with all that I’ve gained over the last year. I left Alvin Ailey about a year and a half ago and have evolved so much since then. I feel like a different person, having gained so much in my time as a full-time educator. I always believed that who you are as a person and your life experiences directly impact the artist you are on stage. I’m excited to return as who I am now at this season of life.

When you’re dancing this piece how does it make you feel?

Full. Empowered. blessed.

Please tell us about the piece of music you are using.

Giveton Gelin and I came together and I described some imagery to get him started. This piece of music is a beautiful blend of his love of jazz with my understanding of modern dance. It’s absolutely sensational!

How important are charities like the Dicky Buckle Fund for the future of dance?

Funds like these support artists and allow us to do what we love… Create. It’s imperative to the forward momentum of our industry. Their importance of the Dicky Buckle Fund can’t be put into words!

Where will you be taking this piece next?

Hopefully around the world!

You will be performing alongside some wonderful artists from all around the world this year, who are you most looking forward to watching perform?

All of them! Live art is truly life changing and especially to have that here in the Bahamas. It’s so inspiring to watch.

What do you like most about performing in ballet galas such as Iconique?

It allows for so much diversity in what you’re seeing! Going to the theatre to see one ballet company is truly spectacular, but when you get to see multiple dancers from different backgrounds in one setting, it’s a different experience. And it has the ability to bring dance to places that may not always have access!

Can you share three things people don’t know about you?

• I love school and academics. I went to Harvard Business School’s “Crossover Into Business” Programme for professional athletes and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University with a degree in Dance & Communications.

• I’ve performed for two sitting US presidents, President Barack Obama & President Joe Biden, and had the pleasure of meeting President Joe Biden in the Oval Office after performing at The White House.

• I recently got engaged! My fiancé is incredible and he is the most supportive of my dreams. We’re getting married in 2025.