1963 – Frederick Ashton becomes director of The Royal Ballet

Down Arrow
Lynn Seymour and Anthony Dowell with Frederick Ashton rehearsing Ivan Turgenev's A Month in the Country, photo Anthony Crickmay. London, UK, 1976 © Anthony Crickmay / Victoria and Albert Museum, London

In 1963, Ninette de Valois stepped down as director of The Royal Ballet, although she remained actively involved in the companies and school she created until her death in 2001. She was replaced by Frederick Ashton who, during his leadership, created some of his finest ballets, including The Dream, Monotones and Enigma Variations.

You May Also Like...

Christopher Wheeldon
Christopher Wheeldon talks in 2003 with his former classmate and Royal Ballet First Soloist Jane...
View
Keith Money
Keith Money moved from loving and photographing horses to loving and photographing dancers (like...
View
James MacMillan
James MacMillan is one of the world’s most prolific and widely respected composers. To date, two...
View