PLUM ROLE

The Royal Ballet's principal ballerina Fumi Kaneko on starring in The Nutcracker and being engaged to the company's leading man

- SIAN PARRY

When she was growing up in Osaka, Japan, Fumi Kaneko loved to watch DVDs of ballets such as The Nutcracker, dreaming that one day, she would herself play the Sugar Plum Fairy. That dream came true. Having started dancing at the age of three, Fumi has been one of the Royal Ballet’s principal ballerinas since 2021, with The Nutcracker among the many shows she has performed during her 14 years with the company.

Fumi, who is engaged to fellow Royal Ballet principal Vadim Muntagiroy, will return to the role at Christmas. She is on stage this month as the harsh, controlling Mama Elena in Like Water for Chocolate and as the sweet country girl Lise in the fun and romantic La Fille Mal Gardée.