Christopher Hampson was born in Manchester UK, and trained at the Royal Ballet School. After graduating in 1992 he joined English National Ballet and by 1996 was a Soloist.
Christopher's choreographic work started at the Royal Ballet School and
continued at English National Ballet where he created a number of ballets
before leaving in 1999 to concentrate full time on choreography. Since then his works have been performed by ballet companies internationally.
continued at English National Ballet where he created a number of ballets
before leaving in 1999 to concentrate full time on choreography. Since then his works have been performed by ballet companies internationally.
Christmas 2000 saw the premiere of his first full-length work, A Christmas
Carol, at London's Royal Festival Hall, followed by Saltarello, a new
ballet for RNZB in 2001. In the same year the English National Ballet gave the world premiere of Christopher’s Double Concerto. This ballet won the 2002 Barclays Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance and the 2002 Critics' Circle National Dance Award for Best Classical Choreography. His production of The Nutcracker, for the ENB designed by political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, premiered at Christmas 2002 and is performed every year at London’s Coliseum Theatre.
Carol, at London's Royal Festival Hall, followed by Saltarello, a new
ballet for RNZB in 2001. In the same year the English National Ballet gave the world premiere of Christopher’s Double Concerto. This ballet won the 2002 Barclays Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance and the 2002 Critics' Circle National Dance Award for Best Classical Choreography. His production of The Nutcracker, for the ENB designed by political cartoonist Gerald Scarfe, premiered at Christmas 2002 and is performed every year at London’s Coliseum Theatre.
Photo by Stephen A'Court
Christopher’s Romeo and Juliet, which he created for the RNZB in 2003, was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Production 2005 after its tour to the UK.
In 2004 he created a new production of Giselle for the National Ballet in Prague, which is now in its fifth season.
Christopher created a new work, Sinfonietta Giocosa, for the Atlanta Ballet in the U.S.A. – which received its UK premiere with the English National Ballet in 2007.
Christopher is a founding member of the International Masterclasses in Prague and continues to guest teach there every year. He most recently premiered three new works: John and I (New Orleans), Three Dialogues (Royal Opera House, London) and Cinderella for the RNZB.
Trivia
Favourite movie: Singin’ in the Rain
Favourite book: Mr. Tickle by Roger Hargreaves
Favourite food: A roast dinner
Favourite destination: Home
Favourite ballet: Giselle
Favourite theatre: London Coliseum
Favourite website: www.seatguru.com
Favourite designer: John Galliano
Favourite restaurant (name & location)
Restaurace Století
Karoliny Svetlé 21
110 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic
Best concert: Patrick Bruel, Entre Deux
On my ipod I’m listening to: Ministry of Sound (when I’m running)
The thing on the top of my ‘to-do’ list is: Do this questionnaire
Life changing moment: Being born
Pet hate: People at busy airports that after twenty minutes of queuing at the x-ray machine wait until they get to the front of the line to unpack their computer, empty their pockets, take off their jacket but put their jumper that’s tied around their waist back on because it doesn’t need to be x-rayed, take off their belt, take off their shoes, take off their watch… What have you been doing for twenty minutes?
First job: Dishwasher
Mac or PC: Mac
Favourite destination in NZ: Wellington
Favourite book: Mr. Tickle by Roger Hargreaves
Favourite food: A roast dinner
Favourite destination: Home
Favourite ballet: Giselle
Favourite theatre: London Coliseum
Favourite website: www.seatguru.com
Favourite designer: John Galliano
Favourite restaurant (name & location)
Restaurace Století
Karoliny Svetlé 21
110 00 Praha 1
Czech Republic
Best concert: Patrick Bruel, Entre Deux
On my ipod I’m listening to: Ministry of Sound (when I’m running)
The thing on the top of my ‘to-do’ list is: Do this questionnaire
Life changing moment: Being born
Pet hate: People at busy airports that after twenty minutes of queuing at the x-ray machine wait until they get to the front of the line to unpack their computer, empty their pockets, take off their jacket but put their jumper that’s tied around their waist back on because it doesn’t need to be x-rayed, take off their belt, take off their shoes, take off their watch… What have you been doing for twenty minutes?
First job: Dishwasher
Mac or PC: Mac
Favourite destination in NZ: Wellington
