Dancer Kevin Poeung talks Merlin, which headlines the Theatre Royal this month

So, what does Merlin offer that other ballets do not?
It's an amazing show. It's immense with illusions, there's fire, there's mind-blowing costumes. There's a dragon, which you don't see that often. There’s puppetry. So it’s very special.

How would you describe your role as Merlin?
He's a young man, struggling with his magical powers, which he doesn't know how to use. He has to find the love and acceptance to unite both kingdoms. I feel close to Merlin, as a male ballet dancer. When I went to school, I felt different. People were bullying me and I was isolated, which is similar to Merlin, because he feels he can't really be himself. He has to hide his powers. So, in some ways, I don't need to act, because of my own experience.

Ballet must be gruelling. How do you keep fit and energized?
We have class and rehearsals every day. But that apart, we do some rehab on the side, some conditioning. Go to the gym, weightlifting, cardio... we eat well. Look after our bodies. When you're young, you've got that energy, but as you get older the recovery time is a lot longer. But it's a special job so I'm grateful for that.

And you started dancing aged six in Marseille, is that right?
Actually, I started in a small communal school in Port Saint Louis Du Rhône, which is my hometown –  age four – with an incredible Argentinian ballerina, Norma Estampe. She taught me everything. And then I had Denis Fabre, a French ballet teacher. And yeah, they taught me everything. They pushed me to audition for the National Ballet School in Marseille. I did twice. I passed the first time, but couldn't get into the school because of my financial situation. And the second time, I received financial help to pay for accommodation.

Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to be a ballet dancer when you grew up?
Yeah, when I moved to Marseille, that was a big change. Moving away from my family. That's when some people struggle. I really struggled, but I knew this was what I wanted to do. It was difficult being away from your family – you're a child and you just have to change your whole life. My mom wanted to be a ballerina, but never had the chance because her parents didn’t have the finances. My parents saw that it was special for me and also my teachers saw that I could possibly make it, so that's why they were all pushing me.

Was it ever lonely coming to the UK?
It was. And when I came to the UK by myself, aged sixteen or seventeen, I didn’t speak English. So that language barrier was not easy. It was only my dad by then, as my mom passed away when I was nine. He was back home trying to provide for me to move away, and we still needed the financial support too. 

So, as a seventeen-year-old, in a way it was like Merlin. You feel different. You struggle with a lot of things, and feel like you don't belong here. But you just have to go through it, meet people, force yourself to speak the language and embrace the culture, which now I absolutely love. I love Yorkshire now. 

So how did you come to join Northern Ballet?
I spent three years at the English National Ballet School and, in our third year, we auditioned for companies. David Nixon and Yoko Ichino, from Northern Ballet, came to see us perform. And they spoke to my ballet teacher, who came up to me and said they’d love to give me an apprenticeship. I was amazed they wanted to work with me. So, I was touring the UK before I was even a professional dancer – this inspired me to aim higher. After, I think it was three months, they gave me a full contract to join the company. So I began as a Corps De Ballet, then all the ranks of soloist, and I've recently been promoted to Principle, which is the pinnacle of my career. It’s just something that I never, never thought I would become.

You had years of hard work, not just in ballet school, but outside. Evenings, weekends, amidst this new culture. English weather! English food! Was it tough?
It was. But I've got an amazing husband. I've got a house outside Leeds, and I have hobbies. I've got an allotment, and, gosh, I've got a small business on the side. Sometimes, after a busy week, I just want to get away. Being at the allotment with my husband, picking flowers and vegetables. That’s my downtime. I just love Yorkshire. I love the people. They're all so warm and welcoming. And I love the food. There are such lovely places to visit and there's always something to do, so you never get bored. And we do get nice weather now and then, which absolutely brightens everyone's day.

What advice would you give an aspiring ballet dancer who wants to be as successful as you?
Well, never give up, no matter how you're feeling, surround yourself with people that you love. Don't be scared of talking to people if you've got problems. Just reach out, just keep positive and look after yourself, because ballet is a short career and your body can't sustain it for that many years. So, just love it and be kind, be grateful, be humble. 

Any plans for when you can no longer high kick onstage for two hours?
I'm still thinking about it. I’m 33. I still love performing. I love being with my colleagues, and it's like a very special environment. My husband used to be with Northern Ballet, now retired, and he says that you'll never find something as special as being in Northern Ballet. But I'm reaching out more – growing my own flowers, seeing how my small business works out and just figuring out what's next for me.

Anything else you’d like to share with LeftLion readers?
Really, just how special Merlin is. All the creatives involved are award-winning. It's really special with everything in it. The whole audience will be amazed. It's not just for young kids or adults. It's for everyone. Seeing what's produced onstage is like being in another world. It takes you out of yourself to another place, created right there before your eyes!

Northern Ballet presents Merlin at the Theatre Royal from Wednesday 15 October to Saturday 18 October.

trch.co.uk