1986 – Anthony Dowell becomes director of The Royal Ballet

In 1986, principal dancer Anthony Dowell succeeded Norman Morrice as director of The Royal Ballet. During his tenure Dowell produced new productions of Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and Don Quixote that were considered controversial. He also oversaw a new generation of dancers, including Darcey Bussell, Viviana Durante, Irek Mukhamedov, Adam Cooper, Sarah Wildor, William Trevitt and Michael Nunn, as well as introduce guest artists such as Sylvie Guillem, Laurent Hilaire, Altynai Asylmuratova and Nina Ananiashvili.