Exclusive interview: Eric Underwood – meet ballet dancer and ex-soloist at the Royal Ballet, model & actor up close and personal

He is outspoken indeed! Get to know Eric Underwood, as he chats to Claudia Peifer in this frank & honest interview.

Find out how he became the man he is today, via classical ballet and modern dance, straight into modelling, acting, becoming a brand collaborator and now a mentor.

Having started at the American School of Ballet, he danced his way through the ranks to become one of the few black soloists at the Royal Ballet in London – a role he kept for 11years. His overall repertoire includes roles in iconic ballets such as Swanlake (Von Rothbart), La Bayadère (High Brahmin), Manon (Gaoler), Anastasia (Rasputin) and The Nutcracker, amongst many others, as well as creating his own roles in Christopher Wheeldon’s ‘DGV: Danse a Grande Vitesse’ and Wayne McGregor’s ‘Chroma’.

A master of precision and expression, he is a joy to watch performing on stage, and even more inspirational to listen to! He’s danced in the biggest houses across the world, and still has been able to reinvent himself to find new ways to follow his vision in the pursuit of personal fulfilment.

These days, he features in international advertising campaigns, starred in the film ‘Cats’, is seen at the GQ Awards…and yet has massive fun mentoring and teaching school children to dance and to physically express themselves. His attitude to life is nothing short of impressive, so watch this interview and be inspired…

Eric Underwood

Eric Underwood is an American, British ballet dancer. He was one of very few black dancers at The Royal Ballet, during his time there as a soloist between 2006 and 2017. Find out what he is all about in his chat to Claudia Peifer: the self-belief that was instilled in him at a very young age, what drives him to strive and to fulfil his ambitions, and how he has reinvented himself! Read this to get the full picture about his background and thejourney to dancing success!

Eric Underwood’s Journey to the Royal Ballet

Underwood was raised in Maryland, USA. It was not until he was in his teens that he started formal training as a dancer. His mother was eager to send him to a visual and performing arts school in the hopes his horizons would be broadened, but as he entered his audition, stage fright got the better of him. On his exit from the audition, Underwood caught sight of a ballet class in training and asked the teacher if he could try too. He went on to train at the school as a ballet student, being one of very few boys in the class. One year on and he received a scholarship for the School of American Ballet, in the big apple – no less! Here he was the only African American student in his class and graduated there in 2000. From this point he went on to join the Dance Theatre of Harlem and then the American Ballet Theatre in 2003, with himself and Misty Copeland as the only dancers of colour. By 2006 he had caught the attention of the prestigious Royal Ballet in London, when spotted touring in the capital.

The Royal Ballet

Joining as a First Artist, and subsequently promoted to soloist in 2008, Eric Underwood has become a part of The Royal Ballet’s renowned history. Even more so being one of very few black dancers to join the company. The Royal Ballet in London is world famous and a prestigious classical ballet company of the highest calibre. Based at the grand Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden, it is the largest of the five major ballet companies in the UK, with a huge reputation, both nationally and internationally. Founded in 1931, it became the resident of the Royal Opera House in 1946 and granted royal charter just ten years later. Since then, it has established itself as the pinnacle of many a ballerina’s career.

In the current day, The Royal Ballet is noted for its artistic and creative values, providing its dancers with world class facilities. The Royal Ballet began its repertoire with the production of The Sleeping Beauty. Since then the repertoire has grown incredibly to include both classic and modern pieces including, CHROMA (which Eric Underwood danced a role he created), Swan Lake, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Anastasia, Romeo and Juliet, and La fille mal gardée.

Famous Male Ballet Dancers

Many a male ballet dancer has used the platform of their dance company to develop their own unique style and to further their career. Some of them have gone on to form their own dance companies, such as Carlos Acosta, a former principal dancer at the Royal Ballet, who also used to dance with the American Ballet Theatre, and is currently the director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Adam Cooper, who shot to stardom in the principal role of Matthew Bourne’s all male Swanlake, is a successful actor, dancer, choreographer and theatre director.

Eric Underwood has also made a move into acting, and working as a successful model is yet another string to his bow. However, mentoring fresh talent is a natural extension to his talents, which he is very excited about for the future.
Other great male dancers in ballet and modern dance:

  • Vaslav Nijinsky
  • Rudolf Nureyev
  • Mikhail Baryshnikov
  • Sergei Polunin
  • Federico Bonelli – Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet
  • Matthew Ball –Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet
  • Alexander Campbell – Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet
  • Cesar Corrales – Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet

The Warehouse Project, Manchester: Fleur Shore, Jaden Thompson, The Martinez Bros

Join us in the DJ booth at Manchester’s infamous Warehouse Project, as they opened up again in 2021 with a stinking programme for this season after a 2-year beauty sleep!

Back with a vengeance, we’re just desperate for a good rave by now, and so we hit the DJ booth on the concourse on the 2 October for the best party atmosphere ever! The Depot is great, the Archive is alright too, but it’s much more #edmfamily of the right size to feel the vibe of the crowd in this space, we find.

When Fleur Shore kicked off the evening, we were absolutely living it in no time at all. There’s a brilliant energy about this edm powerhouse, who produces dance tracks you can go on raving to forever.

Her infectious beat never stops, also digging out ‘Oldies but Goodies’ from the 80s & 90s. Jaden Thompson is another fresh talent nominee, already signed up to The Martinez Bros’ Cuttin’ Headz imprint. Being the youngest DJ to hold residencies at London’s legendary fabric, he already knows pretty well what ravers want.

We also caught up with Seth Troxler, who popped in to say hello – he was on from 2-4 am, by which time we had bowed out already. When Chris & Steven Jr rocked up in the DJ booth, the crowd went wild, knowing what’s coming…when The Martinez Bros hit the decks, there’s no time for taking a breather.

The Warehouse Project is back!

As an annual fixture within Manchester’s rave calendar, the Warehouse Project’s gigs are a big deal for clubbers each year.

The legendary event has 1000s of music lovers holding their breaths awaiting the huge line-up announcements. Getting bigger and bigger each year, these club nights have cemented their place into the iconic Manchester music scene.

From its beginnings way back in 2006, the much-loved clubland event has grown to become a much-loved institution. Expanding its horizons and introducing the by now iconic Parklife Festival – the WHP’s sister event which started in 2013 – the WHP moved to a new home at the Mayfield Depot.

Taking a look at the AW21 season line-up, TA-DAH.TV have picked out some of the biggest names you must be sure not to miss!

The Warehouse Project AW21 Season

September kicked off the 2021 season with a bang! The global superstar that is Nile Rodgers & Chic opened the season, with top-brass acts to follow, like Megan Thee Stallion, Tion Wayne, Princess Nokia, Norman Jay MBE, Wilkinson, Andy C and many many more! The season has only just begun, but with so much more to come, epic events literally continue until New Year’s Day.

So! Fast forward to October and more fun to be had on the dance floor awaits…

On 2nd Oct, the Warehouse Project presented the stoked crowd with Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, Michael Bibi, Alisha and many more in the Depot. Over in the Concourse, we were hanging out in the DJ booth with Seth Troxler, The Martinez Bros, Jaden Thompson & Fleur Shore, and what a brilliant night it was – watch our round-up on TA-DAH.TV’s music channel now. Making up for lost time, the 2021 season is irresistible, and simply unmissable, reuniting clubbers at Manchester’s Mayfield Depot after the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 season due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Looking ahead, the line-up, which has been 2 years in the making, is a real treat. Big names have been announced with more to come:

  • Chase & Status (DJ Set)
  • Sven Väth
  • Hybrid Minds (DJ Set)
  • Enzo Siragusa
  • Holy Goof
  • Jamie xx
  • Honey Dijon
  • Disclosure
  • Hacienda Classical
  • Folamour
  • David Morales
  • Solardo
  • DJ EZ
  • Nic Fanciulli
  • Patrick Topping
  • PAN-POT
  • Sasha
  • FJAAK DJ
  • Camelphat
  • Annie Mac
  • Hot Since 82
  • Skream B2B Eats Everything
  • Alan Fitzpatrick
  • Solomun Extended Set
  • Pete Tong
  • Cici
  • Amelie Lens
  • Bad Boy Chiller Crew
  • High Contrast
  • The Blessed Madonna
  • The Chemical Brothers

New Years Day at the Mayfield Depot: The Riot on 1 January 2022

On New Year’s Day 2022, they’ll be making history at Manchester’s Mayfield Depot, as for the very first time, The Warehouse Project will unite with 3 other event organisers, so expect the mother of all dance events to be born. Electric Chair, Repercussion and Homoelectric will all be part of this huge gig, so get your tix nice and early!

With around 300,000 revellers having passed through the depot’s doors by the end of 2021, The Riot wants to celebrate the return of clubbing and its family of followers. An epic day will be on the agenda, with The Blessed Madonna, Krystal Klear, Jayda G, Gilles Peterson, Shanti Celeste, Moxi, Horsemeat Disco, DJ Paulette and loads more waiting in the wings to spin some proper bangers.

Rolling from day into night, the guys behind Escape to Freight Island will be back, offering brilliant nosh and bevvies from their visionary food market. This is where you’ll be able to recharge to keep going throughout the night – it’s going to be wild!

The Warehouse Project – for those who don’t know…

Taking us back just over a decade, 2006 was the year the Warehouse Project began. Started as a joint venture by Sacha Lord and Sam Kandel, who both had involvements with the Sankeys nightclub (also in Manchester). Moving from several spaces, the organisation has put down roots in various areas of the ‘Capital of the North’. From the disused Boddingtons Brewery in Strangeways to an old air raid shelter under Piccadilly Station, to its current location at the Mayfield Depot.

Since its beginnings, the club has played host to a number of internationally acclaimed DJs. Including the likes of Annie Mac, Fake Blood, Pete Tong, Armand Van Helden, Carl Cox and Richie Hawtin. As well as big musicians such as Foals, The Prodigy and Manchester’s very own, Happy Mondays there isn’t a music act out there worth his/her salt, that hasn’t played the WHP. Watch our brilliant exclusive interviews on TA-DAH.TV’s music channel, and on YouTube too, where the ‘Oldies, but Goodies’ are still showing. The nice thing about the WHP philosophy is the fact that they pull along fresh talent, giving them a platform, alongside established artists. That’s just great…

The Warehouse Project is recognised across the UK, and globally, as one of the most popular clubs, actually winning an awards for this too. In 2007, The Warehouse Project was voted by Mixmag as the best club in the UK. Later crowned the Best Club Series in 2013 by DJ mag. So check out their programme online and get your tickets now!