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Post by sadie1263 on Jan 25, 2012 3:52:32 GMT
The departure of the 21-year-old Ukrainian less than two years after he was promoted to principal came out of the blue. Royal Opera House sources said they were mystified by the decision. Polunin was due to appear in The Dream next week and had given no indication in rehearsals that anything was amiss. But today he took Royal Ballet director Dame Monica Mason to one side and told her that he was quitting. Sources told The Daily Telegraph that the dancer has told colleagues that he doesn't "want to go on dancing". “This is a total bolt out of the blue. Sergei was rehearsing right up until today. We are upset, but more than anything we are shocked,” a source said. "He has never suggested that he was unhappy. Today he spoke to Monica Mason and simply said that he wanted to resign. “He just said he didn’t want to dance here any more.” In a statement, Dame Monica said: “This has obviously come as a huge shock, 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.” The only possible hint of Polunin's plans came on New Year’s Eve, when he posted on Twitter that 2012 was “going to be controversial”. On Tuesday night, the dancer posted a cryptic message on Twitter, the micro-blogging site: "Just have to go through one night!!! then will make my next moves." He later changed his profile on Twitter to say "Principal Dancer of?" Frantic arrangements are now being made to ensure that The Dream goes ahead. Steven McRae is likely to take Polunin’s place. www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/9036796/Sergei-Polunin-in-shock-resignation-from-Royal-Ballet.html
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