Ross Stretton (1952-2005). Australian dancer and director
Ross Stretton was born in Canberra, Australia, in 1952. As a child he gained a national reputation as a tap dancer, and then went on to study ballet before entering The Australian Ballet School in 1971. He graduated in 1972 and in 1973 joined The Australian Ballet, becoming a soloist in 1974 and principal in 1978.

Aiming to gain international experience, in 1979 Stretton joined The Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and worked briefly for Northern Ballet Theatre. In 1980 he joined American Ballet Theatre (ABT), where he became a soloist in 1982. Admired as a classical dancer, he retired from dancing in 1990, but continued working at ABT in administrative and teaching roles, becoming assistant director in 1993.

In 1997, Stretton returned to Australia as director of The Australian Ballet. Holding this position until 2001, his régime was notable for its energy and initiative. No doubt in part because of this, in 2001 he became director of The Royal Ballet following Anthony Dowell. This, however, turned out to be an unhappy period for Stretton. During his first – and, as it turned out, only – season Stretton did indeed introduce some new ballets, including Christopher Wheeldon’s Tryst, but difficulties over his managerial style and other problems led to his resignation after 13 months from what was supposed to be a three-year contract. Stretton then went back to Australia, where he worked as a consultant in dance. He died in Melbourne in 2005.