2002 – Monica Mason becomes director of The Royal Ballet

Following the departure of Ross Stretton, Monica Mason was appointed director of The Royal Ballet in 2002, staying in post until 2012. During her tenure, she staged major revivals of Frederick Ashton’s Sylvia and Daphnis and Chloë, Ninette de Valois’ production of The Sleeping Beauty, and appointed Wayne McGregor as resident choreographer. Mason also commissioned Christopher Wheeldon’s first full-length ballet for the company, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.