In the late 1920s Ninette de Valois founded a School of Dancing in London. Her ultimate aim was to form a British Ballet company. Around the same time, de Valois was hired by Lilian Baylis, owner of the Old-Vic, to train her drama students in movement. Baylis also owned the Sadler's Wells Theatre, and despite … Continue reading Spotlight On: Beatrice Appleyard
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The Ballerinas of the Empire’s Giselle, 1884
In December 1884 London's Empire Theatre premiered a new production of the classic ballet Giselle. The theatre had only opened in April that year, but, alongside some shorter divertissements, the theatre had already produced a production of the ballet Coppélia, the first production staged in London. Both of these ballets would be staged by the … Continue reading The Ballerinas of the Empire’s Giselle, 1884
Spotlight On: Pauline Montessu
On the blog I've previously discussed the lives of some of the lesser-known dancers of the Ballet Russes, and I enjoyed looking into the lives of these dancers and learning more about them. This time, I'd like to look at a similar topic, but with a dancer from the ranks of the 19th-century Paris Opera … Continue reading Spotlight On: Pauline Montessu
Three Forgotten Dancers of the Ballet Russes
The Ballet Russes became a sensation in the 1910s. Their first Paris season of 1909 led to further seasons in the city, along with engagements in London, Monte Carlo, and further beyond. Under the leadership of Serge Diaghilev top artists came together to produce some of the most interesting ballets of all time. Some of … Continue reading Three Forgotten Dancers of the Ballet Russes
Spotlight On: Olga Preobrazhenskaya
The late 19th-early 20th century was the Golden Age of Russian Ballet, with the Imperial Ballet being at the centre of it. And, for the first time, the Russian Ballerina was equal. Mathilde Kschessinskaya had become the first Russian Ballerina to master the 32 fouettes, originally done by Italian Pierina Legnani, and we'd soon see … Continue reading Spotlight On: Olga Preobrazhenskaya
Spotlight On: Dauberval + La fille mal gardée
If you're familiar with ballet, you might know a ballet called La fille mal gardée. This ballet (the name translating to The Poorly Guarded Girl) is one of the oldest surviving ones, although not with it's original choreography, or music. What we know as La fille mal gardée can be traced back to other choreographers: … Continue reading Spotlight On: Dauberval + La fille mal gardée
Spotlight On: Tamara Karsavina
Tamara Karsavina is one of the greats. Her contributions to dance are undeniable, and a rather large amount of roles she created are still in repertoire. So what was her education and life like? Her memoir, Theatre Street, covers from her birth in 1885, to the year 1918. Her main focus is on her career. … Continue reading Spotlight On: Tamara Karsavina
Madeleine's Stage 