The Nureyev Database — The Muppet Show

Series 2 Episode 13

The Muppet Show, created by Jim Henson, first aired in the UK on 5 September 1976 and quickly achieved a global following in over 100 countries. The show frequentlyhosted celebrity guest stars who usually found themselves in absurd or surreal scenarios. In 1977, shortly after the release of the film Valentino, Nureyev was invited to appear on the show.  

Nureyev features in a pas de deux with Miss Piggy (played by The Royal Ballet’s Graham Fletcher). Choreographed by Norman Maen, the duet was a slapstick parody of the White Swan pas de deux: Swine Lake. In the same episode, Nureyev also performed a tap dance to Irving Berlin’s Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.  

The complete Muppet Show series is available on DVD, but Nureyev’s duet with Miss Piggy is also accessible on YouTube.