Light and Shadow

The formidable Ninette de Valois founded her Academy of Choreographic Art in a small studio in Roland Gardens, Chelsea, in 1926. She had spent two years as a member of Diaghilev’s company, carefully observing his management style and she was determined to create her vision of a school and national company in England, and in this she proved phenomenally successful, achieving in 30 years what took centuries to come to fruition in France, Denmark and Russia, when the Royal Ballet School received a Royal Charter (1956). In 1931 the School transferred to Sadler’s Wells Theatre. The Lower School (for pupils aged 11–16) opened at White Lodge in Richmond Park, a former hunting lodge of George II in 1955. The Upper School (for pupils aged 16–19) moved to the Royal Ballet’s studios in Baron’s Court ...