Podcast » Monica Ratcliffe
Monica Ratcliffe, one of British ballet’s earliest voices, shares a wonderful collection of memories and anecdotes with Patricia Linton. She talks about her years, in the 1920s, at Ninette de...
people » Ursula Moreton
Ursula Moreton (1903-1973). British dancer, teacher and director
Ursula Moreton was born in Southsea in 1903. She studied under Enrico Cecchetti, making her stage debut in 1920 dancing alongside Tamara Karsavina in JM Barrie’s play The Truth About Russian Dancers. She then entered Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes until 1922, appearing in the legendary production of The Sleeping Princess, before joining Léonide Massine’s company.
In 1926 Moreton joined Ninette de Valois in her balletic enterprises, as a dancer and a teacher. In 1931 she became principal dancer and ballet mistress for the Vic-Wells (later Sadler’s Wells) Ballet until 1946. She then became assistant director of the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet until 1952, and from 1952 until 1968 was director of the Sadler’s Wells Ballet School (from 1956 The Royal Ballet School). Ursula was appointed an OBE for services to dance in 1968, and died in 1973, the same year the Ursula Moreton Choreographic Awards were founded in her honour.
Timeline Event » 1932 – The Royal Academy of Dance’s Production Club
Formed by the then Royal Academy of Dancing to give stage experience to young dancers and choreographers, the Production Club gave Sunday performances that provided Robert Helpmann and John Cranko...
Timeline Event » 1945 – Sadler’s Wells Opera Ballet created
Thanks to economist John Maynard Keynes, Ninette de Valois’ Sadler’s Wells Ballet was invited to become resident ballet company at the Royal Opera House after the theatre transitioned from its...