Alexander Grant (dancer)
Encyclopedia
Alexander Grant was a ballet dancer noted as a founder member of the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet (now the Birmingham Royal Ballet
) and as a dancer with The Royal Ballet.
, to study in England. Due to the outbreak of World War II
, Grant was forced to remain in New Zealand, but eventually took a place at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1946, aged 21. Within a very short time, he was to become a founder member of the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet, but during his first tour with the company, he was transferred to the parent company at the Royal Opera House
, today's Royal Ballet. He was later promoted to the rank of soloist, with his first created role being 'the boy who jumps through a hoop' in Les Sirènes, a ballet by Sir Frederick Ashton
.
During his career with the Royal Ballet, Grant become most notable for his performances of character roles, with a number of roles being created for him. He is most noted for roles in the ballets of Frederick Ashton
, including Cinderella,
Daphnis and Chloe, Sylvia, Jazz Calendar
, The Dream and La Fille mal gardée.
During the 1970s, Grant directed the Royal Ballet's educational group, Ballet for All. He eventually left the company in 1976, after being appointed Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada
. His work in ballet also includes dancing with and staging revivals of ballets for such companies as the Joffrey Ballet
, Scottish Ballet
, and English National Ballet
.. "When he died in 2011, he was survived by his partner, Jean-Pierre Gasquet and his brother, Garry Grant"
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
) and as a dancer with The Royal Ballet.
Overview
Grant was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1925. Alexander studied at Wellington College from 1939 to 1941. He started dance classes, aged 7, eventually winning a scholarship from the Royal Academy of DanceRoyal Academy of Dance
The Royal Academy of Dance is an international dance education and training organization, and examination board that specialises in the teaching and technique of Ballet. The RAD was established in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain, and received its...
, to study in England. Due to the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Grant was forced to remain in New Zealand, but eventually took a place at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1946, aged 21. Within a very short time, he was to become a founder member of the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet, but during his first tour with the company, he was transferred to the parent company at the Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
, today's Royal Ballet. He was later promoted to the rank of soloist, with his first created role being 'the boy who jumps through a hoop' in Les Sirènes, a ballet by Sir Frederick Ashton
Frederick Ashton
Sir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton OM, CH, CBE was a leading international dancer and choreographer. He is most noted as the founder choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London, but also worked as a director and choreographer of opera, film and theatre revues.-Early life:Ashton was born at...
.
During his career with the Royal Ballet, Grant become most notable for his performances of character roles, with a number of roles being created for him. He is most noted for roles in the ballets of Frederick Ashton
Frederick Ashton
Sir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton OM, CH, CBE was a leading international dancer and choreographer. He is most noted as the founder choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London, but also worked as a director and choreographer of opera, film and theatre revues.-Early life:Ashton was born at...
, including Cinderella,
Daphnis and Chloe, Sylvia, Jazz Calendar
Jazz Calendar
Jazz Calendar is a ballet created in 1968 with choreography by Frederick Ashton, to the score of Richard Rodney Bennett and based on the children’s poem Monday's Child.-History:...
, The Dream and La Fille mal gardée.
During the 1970s, Grant directed the Royal Ballet's educational group, Ballet for All. He eventually left the company in 1976, after being appointed Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
. His work in ballet also includes dancing with and staging revivals of ballets for such companies as the Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet is a dance company in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1956. From 1995 to 2004, the company was known as The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. The company regularly performs classical ballets including Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker, while balancing those classics with pioneering modern...
, Scottish Ballet
Scottish Ballet
Scottish Ballet is the national ballet company of Scotland and one of the four leading ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet...
, and English National Ballet
English National Ballet
English National Ballet is a classical ballet company founded by Dame Alicia Markova and Sir Anton Dolin and based at Markova House in South Kensington, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Scottish Ballet, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great...
.. "When he died in 2011, he was survived by his partner, Jean-Pierre Gasquet and his brother, Garry Grant"