Some of these you could see coming a mile off - congratulations to all!

Full release here -http://info.royaloperahouse.org/News/Index.cfm?ccs=1040

11.7.06 - Royal Ballet Company News 2006

The Royal Ballet is pleased to announce the following promotions which take effect from the start of the 2006/2007 season.


Sarah Lamb is promoted to Principal from First Soloist
Thiago Soares is promoted to Principal from First Soloist

Lauren Cuthbertson is promoted to First Soloist from Soloist
Valeri Hristov is promoted to First Soloist from Soloist
Rupert Pennefather is promoted to First Soloist from Soloist [Editorial comment: YEAH!]

Hikaru Kobayashi is promoted to Soloist from First Artist
Samantha Raine is promoted to Soloist from First Artist
Steven McRae is promoted to Soloist from First Artist [Editorial comment: See above]

Zachary Faruque is promoted to First Artist from Artist
Yuhui Choe is promoted to First Artist from Artist

Eric Underwood will join the Company from American Ballet Theater as First Artist in August 2006.

Congratulations to Eric Underwood! He is a fine dancer woefully underused at ABT, so this is a great move for him.

Another lost for ABT!!!!! Here is a taller dancer who can handle the taller ballerinas like V. Part. He looks like a fine and clean dancer. What a pick-up for the Royal Ballet!!!!!

I will miss Underwood but he was way overdue for bigger roles/promotion at ABT. He's a beautifu & elegant dancer & a wonderful partner, with a gorgeously proportioned body, good feet, lovely arms, clean technique, musical.

Too bad for NY.

I hope he prospers in London.

I would like to congratulate Rupert Pennefather for his promotion. I think he is a fine dancer, and having met him I can also say he is a very nice person... Bravo!