Natalia Osipova Makes Acting Debut in "The Standard of Living"

Royal Ballet principal dancer Natalia Osipova is making her acting debut in James Graham's new play, "The Standard of Living." The production, which explores themes of risk-taking and envisioning a progressive future, features Osipova in the role of Lydia Lopokova, a Russian ballerina from a bygone era. Lopokova was known for her performances with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes before her unexpected marriage in 1925 to the prominent British economist John Maynard Keynes, who is a central figure in the play. Osipova, who typically performs classical ballet, finds acting to be a significant part of her artistic drive, stating that she may never be "super perfect for classical ballet because I love stories so much." Initially, Osipova experienced considerable stress and self-doubt during the early stages of rehearsals, describing feelings of being "shaking," "stressed," and "completely lost." She reported moments of intense anxiety, even contemplating leaving the production. However, by the second week of rehearsals, Osipova expressed a commitment to the process, acknowledging that she was learning and improving "step by step." She joined a cast that includes Rory Kinnear and is working under the direction of Nicholas Hytner. Osipova noted that entering the rehearsal room felt akin to Lopokova's experience among Keynes's intellectual circle, the Bloomsbury Group, whom she perceived as potentially dismissive. She recalled feeling inadequate after early rehearsals, confessing, "I feel, ‘Oh my god, I’m so bad.’ But you learn and listen and every day, step by step, I do better." Osipova's decision to pursue this acting role was encouraged by former colleague Edward Watson, who urged her to seize the "amazing opportunity" despite her initial reservations. The play's narrative centers on Keynes, and Osipova's character, Lopokova, is portrayed as the economist's wife, a figure who, according to some historical accounts, was once dismissed as a "frivolous foghorn of a chorus girl." Osipova's engagement with the role involves embodying a character who, like herself, navigates the intersection of artistic performance and personal narrative, bringing a unique intensity to her portrayal.