1920 – Marie Rambert opens her school

Down Arrow
Marie Rambert looking reflective. After having worked with Diaghilev, 10 years before de Valois, she established her school and company and became tireless in unearthing choreographic genius – a vital factor in the success of British ballet.
© National Portrait Gallery, London

Marie Rambert (1888-1982) was a dancer, choreographer, teacher and company founder and director born in Warsaw.  In 1910, she went to Geneva to study the eurhythmics of Emile Jacques-Dalcroze. She worked with Dalcroze for three years, including demonstrating his methods in St Petersburg, and taught at Dalcroze’s school, which had then moved to Dresden. Later, in 1913, she was asked to assist Vaslav Nijinsky with the creation of The Rite of Spring for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. She joined Diaghilev’s company, going on tour to South American in 1913. Inspired by the dancing of Tamara Karsavina, Rambert threw herself into ballet, studying under Enrico Cecchetti. During World War One, Rambert left Paris for London and studied under Serafina Astafieva. In 1917 she created her own ballet, La Pomme d’Or, in which she also danced. In 1918 Rambert married the playwright Ashley Dukes and became a British citizen. She opened her own studio, which became the Rambert School in 1920. Frederick Ashton was among its first pupils.

You May Also Like...

Dudley Simpson
This self-effacing, straightforward man with a twinkle in his eye is known for his compositions for...
View
Joan Seaman
Joan Seaman gives us a wonderful bird's eye view of VE Day, which she spent seeing Sadler's Wells...
View
Violette Verdy
This interview with Violette Verdy is introduced by the dance critic and historian Alastair...
View