Tom and Ty Talk

As the first British dancer to join the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Xander Parish is living proof that hard work and determination really pay back in dividends. Think courage, desire and a love for what he does. Xander tells us the story of his leap of faith, arriving at the airport on a tourist visa and discuss his journey to Principal and his award of OBE for UK/Russia cultural relations.

A former colleague and rising star of The Royal Ballet, William Bracewell opens up about the trials and tribulations of moving to a new company. We discuss the impact that injuries can have on a dancer, both professionally and personally. We also unveil two new and exciting subjects, The “Four-minute makeup challenge” and “Tinder for dogs”

We visit Purnell’s restaurant in the heart of Birmingham to meet the 'Yummy Brummie' himself, Glynn Purnell, who has held a Michelin star for over ten years. We explore the similarities between the life of an elite dancer and that of a chef working at the very top of his industry.

Along the way Glynn reveals his new-found love of ballet as well as his inclusion in the mafia...

How can dance, and ballet in particular, be more diverse? This is a big question! 

To help us better understand this issue we sat down with Cassa Pancho MBE, Artistic Director of Ballet Black. 

Throughout the episode we discuss where ballet has been. Where it is now and where it needs to go to become a truly diverse and inclusive art form.

Tom and Ty talk to BalletBoyz William Trevitt and Michael Nunn about their new film of Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet with The Royal Ballet.