Dance performances inspired Leonardo Da Vinci at Windsor Castle

The six family-friendly evening performances have been specially choreographed for Windsor Castle by Edwin Ray, a lead dancer in Matthew Bourne’s dance company New Adventures, to mark the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance master’s death.

Each evening after the castle has closed to the public for the day, audiences will take their seats in the Waterloo Chamber for an introduction to Leonardo’s work as a court artist by Martin Clayton, head of prints and drawings and curator of the landmark series of exhibitions Leonardo da Vinci: A Life in Drawing.

A cast of dancers will then guide the audience into St George’s Hall, the largest room in the castle, for a contemporary dance piece inspired by Leonardo’s extraordinary anatomical insights and depictions of movement.

A highlight of the evening will be an opportunity to view up-close the six original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci that have inspired the production. Drawings on display in the State Apartments will include The head of Leda (c.1505–8), The muscles of the shoulder, arm and neck (c.1510–11) and A standing male nude (c.1504–6), all of which will have recently returned from display at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Collection contains by far the greatest collection of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci. They are kept in controlled conditions in the Print Room at Windsor Castle.

Martin Clayton said: "Leonardo spent much of his career as a court artist, designing performances and festivities alongside his work as an artist. It is wonderful to be able to stage a performance based on Leonardo’s drawings in Windsor Castle, the home for the last two centuries of the world’s greatest collection of his studies.’

Performances are on October 25, 26, 27 and November 1, 2 and 3. Entry from 6.20pm, performances start at 7pm. Tickets are £30, children £25, families £110. Book online: www.rct.uk/dance or by phone 0303 123 7340