The brutal truth: too old to dance at 41; Did he walk, or was he pushed? The 11-year reign of macho man Irek Mukhamedov at the Royal Ballet is over. But, in an exclusive interview, he tells Jeffery Taylor, a new career beckons... From: The Evening Standard (London, England) | Date: August 23, 2001| Author: Taylor, Jeffrey | COPYRIGHT 2001 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

Byline: JEFFREY TAYLOR

THERE was a buzz around the Royal Ballet's performance at the Opera House, Covent Garden, last 16 May. It was not just the standing-room-only status in the auditorium - the usual capacity for an Irek Mukhamedov performance. Nor was it the choice of ballet. Giselle is a perennial favourite with the punters, with its romantic tale of lost love, death and redemption, especially with Mukhamedov partnering the enchanting Miyako Yoshida in the title role...