Ballet
The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol
Bob Cratchit / Devil, Policeman Bobbie / Nutcracker
The National Theatre
Paul Irmatov
First soloist of The Czech National BalletBiography
Paul Irmatov, a dancer of Russian origin, grew up and studied in Germany. He received his first dance education under the guidance of his parents Igor Irmatov and Elvira Irmatova. After completing his studies at the Ballett-Akademie in Munich (Kirill Melnikov) under the tutelage of Jan Broeckx, in 2018 he joined the Czech National Ballet. In April 2021, he was named a demi-soloist. Thanks to the successful portrayal of the title character in Romeo and Juliet by John Cranko, Paul Irmatov was promoted to the position of the first soloist immediately after the Czech premiere.
An extremely gifted artist, he has earned plaudits for his brilliant technique and self-confidence, especially in classical variations and parts. He has dazzled audiences with the profound beauty and poetry of his performances, as well as tenacity and diligence.
His most significant roles within the Czech National Ballet include Romeo in Romeo and Julliet (J. Cranko) the Bluebird in The Sleeping Beauty (Marcia Haydée), Lensky in Onegin (John Cranko) and Chosen Boy in Rite of Spring (Glen Tetley). Well received too have been his performances of solo parts, including the Waltz and Russian Dance in The Nutcracker – A Christmas Carol (Youri Vámos), Golden Buddha in La Bayadere (Javier Torres) or as Benno in Swan Lake (John Cranko). Paul has also appeared in productions of neoclassical ballets, among them Psalm Symphony, Petit Mort and Bella Figura (Jiří Kylián) and Puppet (Douglas Lee)
