The Korea Herald

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Royal Ballet principal unexpectedly quits

By Korea Herald

Published : Jan. 26, 2012 - 19:21

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LONDON (AFP) ― One of the youngest dancers ever to be a principal of the Royal Ballet, Ukrainian Sergei Polunin, has quit just days before a new production opens and only two years after he was promoted.

“This has obviously come as a huge shock,” said Monica Mason, the director of the Royal Ballet, in a statement issued late Tuesday.

“Sergei is a wonderful dancer and I have enjoyed watching him tremendously, both on stage and in the studio, over the past few years. I wish him every success in the future.”

Polunin joined the Royal Ballet in 2007 from the Royal Ballet School and was promoted to principal at the end of the 2009-10 season when he was only 19, making him the youngest male dancer to make the top job.

The 21-year-old was due to take the lead in Mendelssohn’s “The Dream” at London’s Royal Opera House on Feb. 1, and his name was still on the cast list Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for the opera house said his replacement would be announced shortly, and media reports said Australian Steven McRae would take his place.