In Conversation with JULIA CONWAY, First Soloist with English National Ballet

Interviewer: PatHayward 25th November 2025

Ahead of the pre-Christmas visit of English National Ballet to Mayflower Theatre, First Solist, Julia Conway, talks to Pat Hayward about her career and her upcoming performance in ENB’s production of The Sleeping Beauty..

Julia thanks for taking time from your busy schedule to talk to me about your role in ENB’s tour of Kenneth MacMillan’s production of Sleeping Beauty and your path to international success. I guess for the lead dancer Sleeping Beauty is a very demanding role, Tell me about your role and your part in the story.

In The Sleeping Beauty I play Princess Aurora, who as a baby at her christening in the grand hall of the palace, was cursed by the wicked Carabosse. I step into the role of Aurora on her 16th birthday when there is a huge celebration attended by everyone known to the family. But this is when the curse placed by Carabosse takes effect and when Aurora pricks her finger, she dies. But her godmother, the Lilac Fairy, is able to alter the curse so Aurora does not die, but sleeps for 100 years. Only a true love’s kiss can break the spell and awaken her. It’s an enchanted land and there is the underlying story of good versus evil. An adventurous prince finds the overgrown palace some 100 years later and discovers the sleeping princess who has stayed the same over those intervening years. The prince awakens Aurora with a kiss and their love begins to blossom and it is not long before there are jubilant wedding celebrations. It’s an absolute dream role to play. The last time I was in ENB’s The Sleeping Beauty I played the Lilac Fairy and that was a few years ago, playing Aurora seemd a far off dream. This time I first played the role of Aurora at Liverpool Empire and then at Palace Theatre Manchester before coming back to Southampton to dance Aurora at Mayflower Theatre. We then pause the production for several months before taking it to the Royal Albert Hall next summer.

Your annual visit to the UK regions must seem very different for the performers from dancing at your home of the London Coliseum.

It is a little strange as every theatre is different and although, with the sets in place, the stage may look the same, it is only when you step on to it do you realise that it is very different from the Coliseum. In Liverpool the stage of the Empire is very similar size-wise to our London home but the backstage facilities are very limited. Whereas the stage at Mayflower Theatre is noticeably smaller and it can take time to adjust, however the backstage facilities are excellent. For me on this visit to Southampton I am performing on Thursday evening and at the Saturday matinee which gives me very little time to refamiliarise myself with positioning of dancers on the smaller stage. However, as I have danced at the theatre many times I do feel very comfortable and confident when stepping out in front of the audience.

Julia when did you first start dancing and when did you begin to take dancing as a serious potential career path.

Well I guess like many little kids I started moving my feet to music, probably before I could walk. But I must have been 2 or 3 when my mother started taking me to a local dance school. I loved it and when we moved to London my passion for dance came with me and it just seemed natural to me when I was around 14 that I would become a professional dancer. At around that time we moved to Florida and I had a wonderful Cuban dance teacher. This prepared me for a return to Britain and a place at the Royal Ballet School. This was so competitive but it was great for me as the bar was continually set higher and there was so much more that could be achieved. It positioned me very well to find that first professional opportunity and here I am. I was around 17 when I was accepted by English National Ballet and it was in that first year that I actually appeared at Mayflower Theatre in the touring production of Manon. In 2019 I was promoted to First Artist and participated in the Emerging Dancer Competition – which I won. The following year I was made Junior Soloist and then Soloist in 2022. At 23 I got my current role as First Soloist and this year I get to dance the lead in The Sleeping Beauty.

Did you ever give consideration to another career path other than dance?

Not really, like with every branch of sport and athletics the intensity of training means there is little time to think of other things. It’s all about fitness, practice, rehearsals and performance. However, now that the career is developing, time becomes more manageable and thoughts tend to drift towards what ifs? Injuries can strike at any time and can impact any active career. With that in mind I used my free mornings to study pilates and become qualified as a pilates teacher. This has given me the opportunity to set up classes to teach pilates and maybe grow it into a business one day.

Do you get much opportunity to meet up with your family back in the USA?

Yes, we tend to flip back and forward across the Atlantic. In fact my mother is coming over from Florida to Southampton to see me dance at Mayflower Theatre and I know we are both very excited. She has put so much effort into helping me along the way from tiny steps to becoming a professional that she loves to see the fruits of those efforts come to life on stage.

Thank you so much Julia I am looking forward to catching you in Southampton later in the week. Have a safe journey down and enjoy the time with your mother.