Watch: Darcey Bussell explores Frankenstein's emotional pas de deux

'Sometimes the smaller you do something, the more you draw the audience in, because you sit on the edge of your seat.'

So says choreographer Liam Scarlett, as he explains the intimacy in the pas de deux from his new ballet, Frankenstein, based on Mary Shelley's iconic Gothic novel.

In conversation with Darcey Bussell, the choreographer and Principal dancer Laura Morera discuss the importance of quiet moments on stage:

'To stand still on stage and just be really vulnerable for a second, is something that’s actually really difficult to do,' explains Scarlett.

'It’s something I’ve really worked with Laura on, and something that she’s really good at.'

Frankenstein is Scarlett’s first full-length narrative ballet for the Company – and Morera is one of the first dancers to perform the role of Frankenstein's childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth.

On dancing a new part, Morera says, 'You are developing a character but it’s all there for you. And then you just add the pieces of yourself that you think would work for her.'

Morera says the success of a new work requires the alchemy of all aspects of the stage.

'It’s a beautiful thing when costumes and sets and music and choreography all come together. That’s quite rare.'
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The next live relay of the 2015/16 Season will be The Royal Opera's new production of Werther on 27 June 2016. Find your nearest cinema and sign up to our mailing list.