Julian Hosking

Julian Hosking (1953–1989) was an English ballet dancer and principal with The Royal Ballet. Trained at the Royal Ballet School from 1964, he joined the company in 1970 and was promoted to principal in 1980. He was noted for roles in Kenneth MacMillan’s La Fin du jour, Gloria (1980), and Isadora (1981), in which he portrayed Edward Gordon Craig; he later appeared as Paris in the Royal Ballet’s 1984 film of Romeo and Juliet. Hosking retired in 1986 and died in London in 1989. In the 1970 Annual Royal Ballet School Performance at the Royal Opera House, he took the male lead in Les Sylphides.

Career Hosking joined The Royal Ballet in 1970

He danced prominently in premieres and revivals of Kenneth MacMillan’s works, including La Fin du jour (world premiere, 15 March 1979, Royal Opera House) and Gloria (premiere, 13 March 1980).

Between 1975 and 1977 Hosking took leave from the company to study Egyptology and art history in Italy.

Film and television He may be seen as Edward Gordon Craig (a role he created) in the television filmed version of Isadora from 1982 (issued on DVD in 2011 by Odeon Entertainment, with the 1968 feature film Isadora) and as Paris in the 1984 Royal Ballet film of Romeo and Juliet.

Selected roles

Edward Gordon Craig in MacMillan’s Isadora (1981; role creator) Featured roles in MacMillan’s La Fin du jour (1979) and Gloria (1980) Paris in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet (Royal Ballet, 1984 film and stage revival)