Patricio Revé as Basilio in Don Quixote
Patricio Revé as Basilio in Don Quixote. Music by Ludwig Minkus, choreography by Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa. Ballet Icons Gala 2026, London Coliseum 15.2.2026.
Patricio Revé, a Cuban-born dancer who recently joined The Royal Ballet as a Principal (as of 2026), is considered an exceptional Basilio for several technical and artistic reasons. Revé was trained at the National Ballet School of Cuba, which is world-renowned for producing male dancers with incredible power. His pirouettes are often described as “effortless” and “seamless.” He has that signature Cuban ability to accelerate into a turn and then decelerate into a perfectly still, balanced position—a dream for a photographer trying to capture a sharp finishing pose. He possesses a “panther-like” quality in his jumps. His grand allegro (big jumps) features high elevation and a soft, silent landing, which is essential for the high-energy Act I and III solos of Basilio.
In the famous Act III Grand Pas de Deux, Basilio must perform high-stakes lifts, including the iconic one-arm press lift. Reviews of Revé often highlight his “reliable partnering.” For a Kitri (such as Natalia Osipova, whom he has partnered frequently), he provides a rock-solid base that allows her to take more risks. From a technical perspective, his “double duty” strength ensures that the lifts look buoyant and artistic rather than labored.
Basilio isn’t a brooding prince; he’s a flirtatious, witty barber. Revé is known for a natural, sunny stage presence that fits the Spanish setting of Don Q. He brings a “Spanish temperament” to the role—lots of flair with the cape and the fan. Despite the “flashy” nature of the role, Revé maintains an immaculate line and precise footwork. As someone who has spent years looking through a viewfinder at dancers, you’d notice his “long” lines and how he uses his height to fill the stage, making every movement look expansive.
Photos by Jack Devant © with kind permission of the Ballet Icons Gala, special thanks to Olga Bakaleets
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