A biography for Sergei Poluninhasn’t been written yet.
“It always felt as though there was a wall between me and contemporary dance. I didn't know how to get into it.”
“I got the same recognition in Russia in one week that I got in London after five years.”
“When I became a principal at the Royal Ballet it was my childhood goal, a dream and I became it at 19. And then I said 'what's next?' and I set myself a different goal at 19 to become an actor.”
“I don't know how you completely destroy your dark side.”
“A few months ago, I was sure that I was going to stop dancing to become a good actor. But then when I was by myself for a week, I asked myself, What are you doing? You have that talent. Use it to the fullest.”
“You live the life of a dancer. It is not your job, it is your life, and you have to love it so much to be able to take it every day for six days a week, sometimes seven.”
“I love movies and there's something close to me about James Dean - I always wanted to do choreography on him.”
“I was an artist, and I could create something, and that's what's stimulating.”
“I would love for dancers to be treated better and for dancers to have support, for dancers to have managers, agents. This is the only art form that does not have a proper support system.”
“It's amazing how such a small piece of art can be such a powerful thing for people.”
“Ukraine told me I couldn't return. They put me on a list of terrorists and war criminals.”
“I'm on good terms with Kevin O'Hare.”
“I want to make people happy. I love kids and I want to help kids. And tigers.”
“In Russia it is great because you can concentrate 100 percent on your work, there are not as many distractions as London, so I've literally had a year concentrating on my dancing.”
“I'd always been one of the best in my gymnastics school, so I transferred to trying to be the best dancer, without knowing anything about ballet. I learned it as a routine.”
“I think often people know about Rasputin in Russian history - but know only a little bit. He's an interesting man, who in general I think meant well.”
“In England, ballet is kind of closed. They are opening up a little bit, but it was always something not for the general public. So you don't get fame, like a football star or a film star. And if you don't get fame, you can't do other stuff.”
“What made my mind go free is that I wanted to become an artist. As soon as I said to myself, 'Oh I'm not a dancer; I'm not an actor,' it made me so free to do anything.”
“I wanted to go into film. But the press attention stopped me.”
“The contemporary programs in London are harder and much more damaging for the body. With classical ballet you are relaxed mentally because it's what you learnt, but I want to push myself.”