1969 – The Place founded and London Contemporary Dance Theatre established

The London School of Contemporary Dance (LCDS) moved to its present premises on Duke’s Road, London, in 1969, providing it with larger studios, a small theatre and office space. The building, a former drill-hall, was christened ‘The Place’. Patricia Hutchinson Mackenzie was appointed principal of LCDS, with Jane Dudley and Nina Fonaroff, two former Martha Graham dancers, joining the faculty.

Comprising dancers who had graduated through LCDS, London Contemporary Dance Theatre (LCDT) was established that same year under the direction of Robert Cohan and was set up as the Trust’s professional touring company. Performing first at The Place, LCDT made its debut at Sadler’s Wells in 1973. LCDT eventually moved away from commissioning American choreographers to concentrate instead on home-grown talent including, Richard Alston, Robert North and Siobhan Davies. The company ceased to operate in 1994 when the Richard Alston Dance Company replaced it.