Natalia Osipova: I love London but English is still a challenge

 
20 January 2014

Russian dancer Natalia Osipova has revealed she loves her new life with the Royal Ballet — but is still struggling to learn English.

Osipova, 27, who has become a sell-out draw since she was snapped up last April, said she was “really enjoying” life in London, despite the language barrier.

“I speak really bad English, which makes it difficult for people to know me,” she said. “I am going to try my best to learn, but I don’t have much time for lessons.”

Osipova also revealed that she had no regrets about leaving the Bolshoi, which has been mired in scandal since the acid attack on artistic director Sergei Filin in January last year.

“It was that I felt I couldn’t change if I stayed there,” she told the Times. “I had danced almost the whole repertoire, but my wishes were greater. I hope the Bolshoi is going to be fine again.”

Next week, she will dance the first of her three performances in Giselle with Carlos Acosta.

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