David Drew (1938-2015). British dancer, choreographer and teacher

David Drew sums up both the rigour and the aesthetic of The Royal Ballet in the latter half of the 20th Century. His creative drive, both as a character artist in newly created works, especially those of Kenneth MacMillan, and in the standard repertoire of the late 19th and early 20th Centuries is testimony to his own talents. But it is equally testimony to Ninette de Valois’ belief that a company of true worth needs both to develop to the full the talent it has, and to provide for its artists.

Born in London and trained in Bristol, Drew spent his entire professional life in the service of The Royal Ballet. He danced and enhanced many a role from 1955 to his official retirement in 2003, as well as performing many a time as a guest artist. The breadth and range of his repertoire was huge, and he had the good fortune to work with many of the great names of the era. Drew was a tireless supporter of new and emerging choreographic talent, as well as choreographing several ballets of his own for The Royal Ballet companies. In addition to teaching pas de deux at The Royal Ballet School during the 1980s and 1990s, he also assisted Norman Morrice in the school’s choreographic programme. He was a keen writer of balletic scenarios, and as the founder President of the Ballet Association, was a cogent spokesperson for ballet itself. He was awarded an MBE for services to dance in 2003, and died in 2015.