1954 – Premiere of John Cranko’s The Lady and the Fool by Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet

The Lady and the Fool, first performed by Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet in 1954, was a collaboration between John Cranko and Charles Mackerras. As with Pineapple Poll, the music for the ballet was to prove perfect for the theme and choreography. Mackerras chose passages from some of Giuseppe Verdi’s early operas and wove them together with wonderful orchestration. The designs were by Richard Beer, and the original cast included Patricia Miller, Kenneth MacMillan and Johaar Mosaval.

The heroine, La Capricciosa, seeks to be loved for her real self and to escape from her life in society, which had led to disenchantment and monotony. With the help of a masked ball and two clowns, Moondog and Bootface, love is found for the three main protagonists in its myriad of different forms. The story unfolds with a satisfying balance between pure dance and characterful scenes. As with all fables artifice must eventually give way to reality, if anything lasting is to be created.