Adam Cooper (1971-). British dancer, choreographer, actor and director

In a successful and highly productive career, Adam Copper has spanned ballet and most aspects of the theatre, musical and otherwise. He was born in Tooting in 1971 and trained at the Arts Educational and Royal Ballet Schools. He joined The Royal Ballet in 1989, becoming a soloist in 1991 and principal in 1994. Cooper danced many leading roles, and was particularly noted for his strong dramatic presence, particularly in ballets such as Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling. He left his position in The Royal Ballet in 1997 to concentrate on a freelance career.

Two years before leaving The Royal Ballet, Cooper worked with Matthew Bourne’s Adventures in Motion Pictures on its production of Swan Lake. He assisted the choreographer and danced the lead role, for which he was acclaimed. Cooper continued to work with ballet companies, including guesting with The Royal Ballet. Here he danced in a number of ballets, including Onegin, and created the roles of Badger in William Tuckett’s Wind in the Willows and the Soldier in his Soldier’s Tale.
In 2002 Cooper took the leading role in a London production of On Your Toes, which he also choreographed. This was the first of many ventures into musical theatre, including Singin’ in the Rain, his own version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Guys and Dolls. He has also worked in theatre, film and television, and in opera production. In some of his performances he has been accompanied by his ballerina wife, Sarah Wildor, including a two-person play with interludes of ballroom dancing, called Wallflowering.