English National Ballet
Encyclopedia
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 Britain. English National Ballet is one of the foremost touring companies in Europe, performing in theatres throughout the UK as well as conducting international tours and performing at special events. The company employs approximately 65 dancers and a symphony orchestra, and there is also an associate school, the English National Ballet School
, which is independent from the ballet company. The company regularly performs seasons at the London Coliseum and has been noted for specially staged performances at the Royal Albert Hall
, the Concert for Diana
and for producing a new ballet based on the animated TV character Angelina Ballerina
. The Patron of English National Ballet is HRH Prince Andrew
, Duke of York
.
and Anton Dolin
.
Markova and Dolin were leading stars of the Ballets Russes
, one of the most influential ballet companies of the 20th century. After the death of its director Serge Diaghilev in 1929, the company was disbanded and in 1931, one of its dancers, Ninette de Valois
, founded the Vic-Wells Ballet company in London, with Markova and Dolin as Principal dancers, Markova becoming Prima Ballerina in 1933. Markova and Dolin left the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1935 to tour as the Markova-Dolin company and following the success of their performances, they decided to form their own company with the sole purpose being to tour both nationally and internationally, taking ballet to audiences that had not had the opportunity to see the art form.
The London Festival Ballet was founded in 1950 with the financial backing of the Polish impresario Julian Braunsweg. The name was inspired by the then imminent Festival of Britain, however the company would later be renamed to today's English National Ballet. Dolin was the company's first Artistic Director and established the company as a touring group both nationally in the UK and Internationally, touring abroad for the first time in 1951. Dolin also introduced a number of educational programs in the early years, deigned to make ballet accessible to new audiences. Dolin remained as artistic director until 1962, succeeded by John Gilpin
, who was also principal dancer with the company from 1950 to 1960 and 1962 to 1971. The company grew in size and status, undertaking extensive national and international tours, presenting a new generation of dancers—all while repeatedly facing bankruptcy. Braunsweg left in 1965 and Donald Albery took over until 1968, stabilising the budget with safer programming. Former Royal Ballet dancer Beryl Grey directed the company (now named the London Festival Ballet) from 1968 to 1979, raising technical standards, touring widely and inviting prominent guest stars and choreographers including Leonide Massine and Rudolf Nureyev
, who picked ballerina Eva Evdokimova
to be his first Princess Aurora in his production of The Sleeping Beauty in 1975. Evdokimova in turn became the prima ballerina of the company under Grey's leadership and continued to reign under successive directors John Field and Peter Schaufuss.
It was Evdokimova who suggested to change the name to English National Ballet to reflect the company's role as Britain's only classical ballet company dedicated to touring ballets nationwide at an affordable price for audiences. The name change was implemented in 1989.
Ivan Nagy (until 1993), Derek Deane (until 2001) and Matz Skoog (until 2006) directed the company before Wayne Eagling, former head of Dutch National Ballet
, took over in 2006.
newspaper reported on 21 December 2006 that Principal dancer Simone Clarke
was a member of the far-right British National Party
. Following the report, a number of other stories appeared in the press and on television and Clarke became known as the "BNP Ballerina".
The British National Party is a minor, but legitimate political party in the United Kingdom that is widely criticised for its apparently extremist and racist policies. Clarke admitted being a member of the BNP, stating that her reason was to oppose mass immigration in Britain. She voiced her belief that the BNP was the only political party willing to take a stand against immigration, stating that she would continue to be a member of the party. Following a number of stories in the press and a protest at the Coliseum by anti-racism protesters, Clarke refused to comment further on the issue and English National Ballet denied calls to terminate her employment, releasing the following statement:
Clarke has a daughter with her former partner Yat-Sen Chang
, who is currently a Principal with English National Ballet and is of Chinese-Cuban origin. She retired from professional dance in 2007 and opened her own school.
Classical ballet
Classical Ballet is the most formal of the ballet styles, it adheres to traditional ballet technique. There are variations relating to area of origin, such as Russian ballet, French ballet, British ballet and Italian ballet...
company founded by Dame Alicia Markova
Alicia Markova
Dame Alicia Markova, DBE, DMus, was an English ballerina and a choreographer, director and teacher of classical ballet. Most noted for her career with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and touring internationally, she was widely considered to be one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of the...
and Sir Anton Dolin
Anton Dolin
Sir Anton Dolin was an English ballet dancer and choreographer.Dolin was born in Slinfold in Sussex as Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay but was generally known as Patrick Kay. He joined Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1921, was a principal there from 1924, and was a principal...
and based at Markova House in South Kensington
South Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
, London, England. Along with the Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet
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 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...
, it is one of the four major ballet companies in Great Britain. English National Ballet is one of the foremost touring companies in Europe, performing in theatres throughout the UK as well as conducting international tours and performing at special events. The company employs approximately 65 dancers and a symphony orchestra, and there is also an associate school, the English National Ballet School
English National Ballet School
English National Ballet School is a specialist classical ballet school based in London in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1988, the school is the official associate school of the English National Ballet, with many graduates becoming dancers with the company...
, which is independent from the ballet company. The company regularly performs seasons at the London Coliseum and has been noted for specially staged performances at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, the Concert for Diana
Concert for Diana
Concert for Diana was a concert held at the then new Wembley Stadium in London, England, United Kingdom in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, on 1 July 2007, which would have been her 46th birthday; 31 August that year brought the 10th anniversary of her death...
and for producing a new ballet based on the animated TV character Angelina Ballerina
Angelina Ballerina
Angelina Ballerina is a fictional mouse, created by author Katharine Holabird and illustrator Helen Craig, who is featured in a popular series of children's books...
. The Patron of English National Ballet is HRH Prince Andrew
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, Duke of York
Duke of York
The Duke of York is a title of nobility in the British peerage. Since the 15th century, it has, when granted, usually been given to the second son of the British monarch. The title has been created a remarkable eleven times, eight as "Duke of York" and three as the double-barreled "Duke of York and...
.
History
The English National Ballet was originally founded in 1950 by the renowned British dance couple, Alicia MarkovaAlicia Markova
Dame Alicia Markova, DBE, DMus, was an English ballerina and a choreographer, director and teacher of classical ballet. Most noted for her career with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and touring internationally, she was widely considered to be one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of the...
and Anton Dolin
Anton Dolin
Sir Anton Dolin was an English ballet dancer and choreographer.Dolin was born in Slinfold in Sussex as Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay but was generally known as Patrick Kay. He joined Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1921, was a principal there from 1924, and was a principal...
.
Markova and Dolin were leading stars of the Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
, one of the most influential ballet companies of the 20th century. After the death of its director Serge Diaghilev in 1929, the company was disbanded and in 1931, one of its dancers, Ninette de Valois
Ninette de Valois
Dame Ninette de Valois, OM, CH, DBE, FRAD, FISTD was an Irish-born British dancer, teacher, choreographer and director of classical ballet...
, founded the Vic-Wells Ballet company in London, with Markova and Dolin as Principal dancers, Markova becoming Prima Ballerina in 1933. Markova and Dolin left the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1935 to tour as the Markova-Dolin company and following the success of their performances, they decided to form their own company with the sole purpose being to tour both nationally and internationally, taking ballet to audiences that had not had the opportunity to see the art form.
The London Festival Ballet was founded in 1950 with the financial backing of the Polish impresario Julian Braunsweg. The name was inspired by the then imminent Festival of Britain, however the company would later be renamed to today's English National Ballet. Dolin was the company's first Artistic Director and established the company as a touring group both nationally in the UK and Internationally, touring abroad for the first time in 1951. Dolin also introduced a number of educational programs in the early years, deigned to make ballet accessible to new audiences. Dolin remained as artistic director until 1962, succeeded by John Gilpin
John Gilpin (dancer)
John Brian Gilpin was a leading English ballet dancer and actor.He was born in Southsea, Hampshire, England, and began as a child actor in films, such as They Were Sisters and The Years Between, opposite Michael Redgrave...
, who was also principal dancer with the company from 1950 to 1960 and 1962 to 1971. The company grew in size and status, undertaking extensive national and international tours, presenting a new generation of dancers—all while repeatedly facing bankruptcy. Braunsweg left in 1965 and Donald Albery took over until 1968, stabilising the budget with safer programming. Former Royal Ballet dancer Beryl Grey directed the company (now named the London Festival Ballet) from 1968 to 1979, raising technical standards, touring widely and inviting prominent guest stars and choreographers including Leonide Massine and Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev was a Russian dancer, considered one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century. Nureyev's artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the male ballet dancer who once served only as support to the women.In 1961 he...
, who picked ballerina Eva Evdokimova
Eva Evdokimova
Eva Evdokimova-Gregori was a prima ballerina with the Royal Danish and Berlin Opera Ballets.Born in Geneva, Switzerland to a Bulgarian father and an American mother, Evdokimova, an American citizen, began her ballet studies as a child in Munich, before attending the Royal Ballet School in London,...
to be his first Princess Aurora in his production of The Sleeping Beauty in 1975. Evdokimova in turn became the prima ballerina of the company under Grey's leadership and continued to reign under successive directors John Field and Peter Schaufuss.
It was Evdokimova who suggested to change the name to English National Ballet to reflect the company's role as Britain's only classical ballet company dedicated to touring ballets nationwide at an affordable price for audiences. The name change was implemented in 1989.
Ivan Nagy (until 1993), Derek Deane (until 2001) and Matz Skoog (until 2006) directed the company before Wayne Eagling, former head of Dutch National Ballet
Dutch National Ballet
Dutch National Ballet was formed in 1961 when the Amsterdams Ballet and the Nederlands Ballet merged. The company has been directed by Sonia Gaskell , Rudi van Dantzig , Wayne Eagling and is currently directed by Ted Brandsen. It is the largest dance company in the Netherlands and attracts many...
, took over in 2006.
People
Artistic Directors:- Sir Anton DolinAnton DolinSir Anton Dolin was an English ballet dancer and choreographer.Dolin was born in Slinfold in Sussex as Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay but was generally known as Patrick Kay. He joined Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in 1921, was a principal there from 1924, and was a principal...
, 1950–1962 - John GilpinJohn Gilpin (dancer)John Brian Gilpin was a leading English ballet dancer and actor.He was born in Southsea, Hampshire, England, and began as a child actor in films, such as They Were Sisters and The Years Between, opposite Michael Redgrave...
, 1962–1968 - Dame Beryl Grey, 1968–1979
- John FieldJohn Field (dancer)John Field was an English ballet dancer, choreographer, director and teacher. He was a renowned member of the Vic-Wells Ballet and Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet and was also Artistic Director of the La Scala Theatre Ballet.- Biography :Born John Greenfield in Doncaster, South Yorkshire in 1921,...
, 1979–1984 - Peter Schaufuss, 1984–1990
- Ivan Nagy, 1990–1993
- Derek DeaneDerek Deane-Biography:Deane was raised in Redruth, Cornwall, England and trained in the Royal Ballet School. As a dancer, he eventually became a Principal Dancer with The Royal Ballet, later retiring from the stage and working as Deputy Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer at Teatro dell'Opera di...
, 1993–2001 - Matz Skoog, 2001–2006
- Wayne EaglingWayne EaglingWayne Eagling is a former Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London and is a leading international choreographer and director....
, 2006 (Incumbent)
Principal Dancers
| Name | Nationality | Training | Joined ENB | Rank | Other Companies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Begoña Cao |  United Kingdom |
Arts Educational School Royal Ballet School Royal Ballet School The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... |
1997 | Principal | |
| Yat-Sen Chang Yat-Sen Chang Yat-Sen Chang Oliva is a Cuban principal dancer in the English National Ballet.Yat-Sen Chang is a Chinese Cuban born in Matanzas, Cuba. Yat-Sen Chang studied dance at the Cuban National Ballet School, beginning his studies at the age of nine... |
 Cuba |
Cuban National Ballet School Cuban National Ballet School The Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, with 4,350 students is the biggest ballet school in the world and the most prestigious ballet school in Cuba, directed by Ramona de Sáa... |
1993 | Principal | Cuban National Ballet Jeune Ballet de France |
| Elena Glurdjidze |  Georgia (country) |
Tbilisi Choreographic School Vaganova Ballet Academy |
2002 | Senior Principal | Russian Ballet Company St Petersburg State Academic Ballet St Petersburg Ballet Theatre |
| Dmitri Gruzdyev |  Russia |
Vaganova Ballet Academy | 1993 | Senior Principal | Kirov Ballet |
| Daria Klimentová Daria Klimentová Daria Klimentová is a Czech prima ballerina and photographer.Klimentová trained at the Dance Conservatory Prague. In 1989, she joined the National Theatre Ballet Company in Prague as a soloist and after one year was promoted to principal dancer. In 1992, she joined Cape Town City Ballet in South... |
 Czech Republic |
Prague Conservatory Prague Conservatory Prague Conservatory, sometimes also Prague Conservatoire, in Czech Pražská konzervatoř, is a Czech secondary school in Prague dedicated to teaching the arts of music and theater acting.- Instruction :... |
1996 | Senior Principal | National Theatre Ballet, Prague National Theatre (Prague) The National Theatre in Prague is known as the Alma Mater of Czech opera, and as the national monument of Czech history and art.The National Theatre belongs to the most important Czech cultural institutions, with a rich artistic tradition which was created and maintained by the most distinguished... Cape Town City Ballet Cape Town City Ballet The Cape Town City Ballet Company, formerly known as the CAPAB Ballet Company, is based in Cape Town, South Africa.-History:The Cape Town City Ballet originates from the UCT Ballet Company, which was established by Dulcie Howes in 1934. This became the CAPAB Ballet Company under the directorship... 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... |
| Sarah McIlroy | United Kingdom |
Royal Ballet School Royal Ballet School The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... |
1992 | Principal | |
| Vadim Muntagirov | Russia |
Perm Ballet School, Royal Ballet School Royal Ballet School The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... |
2009 | Principal | |
| Fernanda Oliveira Fernanda Oliveira Fernanda Oliveira is a Brazilian sailor. She won a bronze medal in 470 class at the 2008 Summer Olympics. Oliveira also competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney and 2004 Olympics in Athina.- References :... |
 Brazil |
Centro de Dança, Rio de Janeiro Royal Ballet School Royal Ballet School The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London... |
2000 | Senior Principal | Chilean National Ballet |
| Erina Takahashi Erina Takahashi Erina Takahashi, born in Hokkaidō, Japan, is a Senior Principal dancer with the English National Ballet. She was the Critics Circle Best Female Newcomer in 2001.- Career & Repertory :... |
 Japan |
Kushiro Ballet Academy English National Ballet School English National Ballet School English National Ballet School is a specialist classical ballet school based in London in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1988, the school is the official associate school of the English National Ballet, with many graduates becoming dancers with the company... |
1996 | Senior Principal | |
| Aroniel Vargas | Cuba |
Cuban National Ballet School Cuban National Ballet School The Cuban National Ballet School in Havana, with 4,350 students is the biggest ballet school in the world and the most prestigious ballet school in Cuba, directed by Ramona de Sáa... Laura Alonso & Ivan Montreal |
2004 | Principal | Royal Winnipeg Ballet Royal Winnipeg Ballet The Royal Winnipeg Ballet, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, is Canada's oldest ballet company and the longest continuously operating ballet company in North America.... |
First Soloists
- Anais Chalendard
- Crystal Costa
- Adella Ramirez
- Fabian Reimair
Soloists
- Zhanat Atymtayev
- Désirée Ballantyne
- Esteban BerlangaEsteban BerlangaEsteban Berlanga is a Spanish ballet dancer and Soloist with English National Ballet .-Biography:Esteban was born in Montilleja, a village of 600 inhabitants near Albacete, Spain. He initially wanted to become a flamenco dancer as he did not know what classical ballet was at the time...
- James Forbat
- Daniel Jones
- Jenna Lee
Junior Soloists
- Yonah Acosta
- Kei Akahoshi
- Senri Kou
- Daniel Kraus
- Laurent Liotardo
- Anton Lukovkin
- Juan Rodriguez
- Junor de Oliveira Souza
- James Streeter
- Max Westwell
First Artists
- Laura Hussey
- Van Le NgocVan Le NgocVan LE NGOC is a ballet dancer and a choreographer. Born in Hanoi, Vietnam.He moved to live and study in France in 1996. From 1996 - 1998, he followed his study to become a ballet dancer at National Superior Conservatory of Music and Dance in Lyon...
- Makoto Nakamura
- Chantel Roulston
- Adrienne Schulte
- Tamrin Stott
- Venus Villa
Artists
- Francisco Bosch
- Ruth Brill
- Jung Ah Choi
- Ethan Brookes
- Laura Bruña Rubio
- Kuei-Yao Chu
- Shevelle Dynott
- Edward Fallon
- Emma Findlay
- Jennie Harrington
- Nicola Henshall
- Anjuli Hudson
- Amber Hunt
- Adeline Kaiser
- Shiori Kase
- Natalia Kremen
- Pedro Lapetra
- Monika Lepisto
- Joshua McSherry-Gray
- Alison McWhinney
- Nancy Osbaldeston
- Ksenia Ovsyanick
- Stina Quagebeur
- Grant Rae
- Nicholas Reeves
- Tracey Shuk-Kan Au
- Laurretta Summerscales
- Tomomi Tamagawa
- Sayako Tomiyoshi
- Yuki Watanabe
- Stephen Wilson
- Araminta Wraith
- Nathan Young
- Seo-Yeon Yu
- Jia Zhang
Simone Clarke
In 2006/7, English National Ballet was the focus of the British media after The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
newspaper reported on 21 December 2006 that Principal dancer Simone Clarke
Simone Clarke
Simone Clarke is an English ballerina and former Prima Ballerina of English National Ballet company. In 2006, she was the centre of controversy when it was revealed that she was a member of the British National Party...
was a member of the far-right British National Party
British National Party
The British National Party is a British far-right political party formed as a splinter group from the National Front by John Tyndall in 1982...
. Following the report, a number of other stories appeared in the press and on television and Clarke became known as the "BNP Ballerina".
The British National Party is a minor, but legitimate political party in the United Kingdom that is widely criticised for its apparently extremist and racist policies. Clarke admitted being a member of the BNP, stating that her reason was to oppose mass immigration in Britain. She voiced her belief that the BNP was the only political party willing to take a stand against immigration, stating that she would continue to be a member of the party. Following a number of stories in the press and a protest at the Coliseum by anti-racism protesters, Clarke refused to comment further on the issue and English National Ballet denied calls to terminate her employment, releasing the following statement:
- "English National Ballet does not comment on political affiliations of any of its employees nor any other aspects of their personal lives. Any personal view expressed by one of our employees should not be considered as endorsed by the company. English National Ballet is an equal opportunities employer and prides itself in the ethnic diversity of all its employees."
Clarke has a daughter with her former partner Yat-Sen Chang
Yat-Sen Chang
Yat-Sen Chang Oliva is a Cuban principal dancer in the English National Ballet.Yat-Sen Chang is a Chinese Cuban born in Matanzas, Cuba. Yat-Sen Chang studied dance at the Cuban National Ballet School, beginning his studies at the age of nine...
, who is currently a Principal with English National Ballet and is of Chinese-Cuban origin. She retired from professional dance in 2007 and opened her own school.
See also
- Birmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal BalletBirmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
- English National Ballet SchoolEnglish National Ballet SchoolEnglish National Ballet School is a specialist classical ballet school based in London in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1988, the school is the official associate school of the English National Ballet, with many graduates becoming dancers with the company...
- The Royal Ballet
External links
- Postings
- Strictly Gershwin at the Royal Albert Hall
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1TGFLffVegYoutube: English Ballet Company: Swan LakeSwan LakeSwan Lake ballet, op. 20, by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, composed 1875–1876. The scenario, initially in four acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales and tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The choreographer of the original production was Julius Reisinger...
]