Magnus Christoffersen has just had his first leading role as Hilarion in “Giselle”. He is part of the strong young generation at Royal Danish Ballet, who has moved to the top of the company in record time. I meet with him to learn more on how he sees his role in the golden generation and his future in the company.
Some ballet dancers tells the tale of how they decided to become dancers after watching a performance as children. That group includes RDB Stars Nikolaj Hübbe, Mads Blangstrup and Andreas Kaas.
Others like RDB dancer Magnus Christoffersen did not join as jubilant fans:
“My mother had attended ballet classes and when realizing that I had ballet feet, she persuaded me to join the RDB School. I decided to give it a try and decided that if I did not like it, I could change to a regular school anytime.”
The plan B never happened as Magnus Christoffersen started enjoying ballet, especially when he got some of the children’s role:
“I was Serosha, Anna Karenina’s son in Alexei Ratmansky’s creation for the RDB and also had other roles on stage”.
A Strong Team
What young Magnus could not know at that time, was that his age group at RDB was to be one of strongest and most talented groups, the company had ever had. Furthermore he group was blessed with lots of opportunities and new initiatives like forming of the children’s own company and lots of roles in productions of “The Nutcracker”, Thomas Lund’s “Teddy goes Ballet” and several Bournonville ballets. Yet more treats were coming their way.
After Nikolaj Hübbe took over as Ballet Master in 2008, a television documentary on RDB covered Magnus’ last year in ballet school and the all-important exam to become an apprentice in the company. At that time, Magnus was recovering from an operation and could not participate in the full program. Nevertheless, he won his place. However, it was surely a trying time, and a time that made Magnus aware how narrow the bridge is between success and failure:
“Some of the dancers in my age groups are already dancing leading roles, and have been appointed principals and soloists. I am very proud of their achievements and talents. I support them all I can. We have been a strong and close group since we joined ballet school; we try to be there for each other.”
In 2011, Esther Lee Wilkinson choreographed a ballet, based on a Danish modern classic: “The Neglected Spring” by Hans Scherfig on Magnus Christoffersen’s apprentice team, with Magnus in the leading role an as young student, both loved and bullied by a sadistic teacher. His role figure ends up poisoning the teacher. Quite a role to start a career.
Stellar Teachers
Although Magnus has not had as many opportunities as some of his colleagues, he has still had his share of god luck, including the benefit of working with some of the greatest stars of RDB history:
“I had the privilege to learn Hilarion from Sorella Englund, the famed character dancer and director”.
At Home and Abroad
Tall and lean, Magnus Christoffersen is more a classical than a modern dancer is. It will probably be in the employ as a danseur noble and partner, he will make his mark:
“I have been in a few modern works, but I do feel more at home in the classical repertoire.”
He has also travelled abroad to learn more and participate in performances:
“I got the chance to spend some study time in Moskva. I also danced Benvolio in Peter Schaufuss’ production of Frederick Ashton’s “Romeo and Juliet” with Los Angeles Ballet, the company run by Aage Thordal-Christensen.”
So Magnus Christoffersen found himself dancing in a ballet, originally choreographed on RDB, staged by two former RDB stars and Artistic Directors.
“I also worked with Peter Schaufuss’ son Luke, a former classmate from RDB School, who danced Mercurtio in the production. Aage Thordal-Christensen´s son Erik was also involved as Paris, so it was a fun and special reunion”.
Since 1974, the RDB house “Romeo & Juliet” has been the Neumeier version.
Magnus Christoffersen is Friar Laurence, a character Neumeier has turned into a young man, thereby perhaps making a kind of sense of the friar’s risky game plan.
“I am very happy to be a part of this production. It is so brilliant and many of my age group have featured roles, including Andreas Kaas and Ida Praetorius as Romeo and Juliet.”
Making it
Magnus Christoffersen is enjoying his career at RDB. He is grateful for every chance and every role. He also enjoys being part of ensembles and the corps. That does not imply that he is not ambitious.
However, what he has learned from his education and career so far, is that it is out of his hands, which roles he will get - but it is in his hands how well he performs them.
He do have a little ace in his pocket. He is part of a very talented group, but there is fewer dancers in the age group affront of him and a four-year drought of boys behind him. That mean that roles will continue to come earlier to the age group and that they may enjoy them longer.
Therefore, the odds are very much in his favor.
Photos (Copyright (c) Royal Danish Ballet)
- 1. Magnus Christoffersen, portrait by Natascha Rydwald
- 2. Magnus Christoffersen as Hilarion by Jon Axel Fransson
- 3.Magnus Christoffersen in "Neglected Spring", Photo by Per Morten Abrahamsen
- 4. Magnus Christoffersen and Holly Jean Dorger in "Schubert Pas de Deux" by Adam Lüders, Photo by Henrik Stenberg
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