1940 – The Anglo Polish Ballet established

Initially formed in 1940 by the dancers Czeslaw Konarski and Alicja Halama, the Anglo-Polish Ballet was led by Jan Cobel from 1941 onwards. They toured Britain with some success, performing Swan Lake, Les Sylphides and Cracow Wedding, a popular divertissement of Polish national dances. Under the auspices of ENSA (the Entertainments National Service Association), the company toured to Italy in 1944. The following year, the Anglo-Polish Ballet performed in India. Dancers included Beryl Goldwyn, Leo Kersley and Alexis Rassine. The company had one final successful London season in 1947.