Voices of British Ballet

This episode explores the life and career of Dudley Simpson, focusing on his work as a composer for Doctor Who and his earlier role as a conductor in British ballet.

This episode features an interview with Brazilian dancer Marcia Haydée, discussing her career and collaborations with choreographers John Cranco and Kenneth Macmillan at the Stuttgart Ballet.

This episode features an interview with former dancer Deborah Weiss discussing the life and career of ballet dancer Dianne Richards, focusing on her early performances and involvement with Festival Ballet.

This episode features an interview with dancer Henry Danton, discussing his remarkable career in British ballet, including his rapid rise and role in the original production of Frederick Ashton's Symphonic Variations.

This episode features an interview with dancer Jean Bedells about her early training in the 1930s, her mother Phyllis Bedells (the first English prima ballerina), and her experiences with the Vic Wells Ballet Company.

This episode features an interview with Dame Monica Mason discussing her first encounter with dancer Romaine Grigorova in the 1940s and Grigorova's impact on her career.

This episode features an interview with former dancer Debra Weiss discussing the life and career of British ballerina Anita Lander, a founder member of the Festival Ballet who toured internationally and performed principal roles.

This episode features an interview with dance writer Gerald Dowler discussing the importance of composer and conductor Constant Lambert in British ballet history, as highlighted by dance critic Clement Crisp's work.

This episode features an interview with Dame Beryl Gray, a pioneering British ballerina who began her career at 14, performed with the Bolshoi Ballet, and is remembered for her height and impact on dancers like Darcy Bussell.

This episode explores the life and career of British dancer Leo Kersley, focusing on his early exposure to ballet at Sadler's Wells and his significance as a link to the early days of British ballet.

This episode features an interview with Dame Darcy Bussell discussing the life and career of dancer and coach Donald MacLeary, highlighting his impact on British ballet and her personal experiences working with him.

This episode explores Darcey Bussell's early career as a ballet dancer, from her graduation performance to being discovered by choreographer Kenneth McMillan for a major role at the Royal Ballet.

This episode explores the career of dancer Brenda Hamlyn, her work with Ballet Rambert in the 1940s, and her lesser-known contributions to British ballet history.

This episode features an interview with Kasa Pancho, founder of Ballet Black, discussing the company's mission to promote diversity in British ballet through new works, education programs, and innovations like skin-tone pointe shoes.

This episode features a conversation with Dame Monica Mason about dancer Anne Heaton, who trained at Sadler's Wells School and performed in Kenneth Macmillan's ballets before retiring due to arthritis.

This episode features a conversation about Australian singer Yvonne Minton's experience performing in Kenneth Macmillan's 1966 ballet adaptation of Mahler's 'Song of the Earth' at Covent Garden, with insights from composer Stephen Johnson.

This episode discusses the 1951 comic ballet Pineapple Poll, focusing on its creators John Cranco and Charles Maceris, its historical significance in British ballet, and its current status in repertoire.

This episode explores the life and career of choreographer Richard Alston, focusing on his journey from Eton and art college to studying with Merce Cunningham and founding his own dance company.

This episode explores the life and work of composer Thea Musgrave, focusing on her collaboration with electronic music pioneer Daphne Oram on the ballet 'Beauty and the Beast' for Scottish Ballet.

This episode features an interview with dancer Julia Farron, discussing her 25-year career with the Vic Wells/Royal Ballet company and her legacy as a beloved teacher and performer in British ballet history.

This episode features an interview with historian Alistair McCauley discussing the life and career of dancer Pamela May, a key figure in British ballet history from the 1930s onward.

This episode explores the story of Joan Seaman, a dedicated ballet audience member whose passion for British ballet began during World War II and helped sustain the art form through the 20th century.

This episode features an interview with former Royal Ballet principal dancer Edward Watson, discussing his early career and impact, introduced by cultural consultant Kenneth Tharp.

This episode features an interview with Jonathan Gray about Mary Clarke, the long-serving editor of Dancing Times from 1963 to 2008, discussing her career and dedication to ballet journalism.

This episode features Dame Monica Mason discussing the life and career of ballerina Violetta Elvin, from her training at the Bolshoi Ballet to her success with the Sadler's Wells Ballet in England.

This episode features an interview with dancer Rowena Fair, discussing her 1936 scholarship to Sadler's Wells School, her career with Vic Wells Ballet Company, and her experiences balancing ballet with aristocratic social obligations.

This episode features an interview with dancer and choreographer Adam Cooper discussing the life and career of Gillian Lynne, celebrated for her choreography in Cats and Phantom of the Opera and her influence on British musical theatre.

This episode features a conversation with writer and dance critic Alistair McCauley about David Vaughan, a British-born choreographer, critic, and historian known for his work with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and his deep knowledge of Frederick Ashton's ballet.

Dame Darcy Bussell shares her personal experiences working with Sir Peter Wright as her first ballet director at Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, highlighting his influence and the supportive environment he fostered.

This episode features an interview about the life and career of ballet dancer Lucette Aldous, focusing on her training at the Royal Ballet School, challenges with her height, and rise to international stardom.

This episode discusses the British composer Ernest Tomlinson, his ballet Aladdin, and his association with light music as explained by composer Stephen Johnson.

This episode features an interview with dancer and arts administrator Kenneth Tharp discussing his career and the influential figures in British dance history.

This episode explores Lillian Hochhauser's role as a key impresario who, with her husband Victor, facilitated the import of top Russian artists and cultural works to Britain during the Cold War era.

This episode features an interview with Kenneth Tharp discussing the life and career of dancer Patrick Harding-Irmer, focusing on his late start in dance, work with London Contemporary Dance Theatre, and impact as a performer.

This episode explores the life and work of Keith Money, a New Zealand-born photographer known for his iconic ballet photography of figures like Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, featuring an interview with Tobias Round whose father was also a prominent dance photographer.

This episode features a conversation about dancer Lynn Seymour, exploring her reputation as a dramatic performer, her classical training, and her experiences with mentors like Frederick Ashton.

This episode features an interview with Jane Pritchard, Curator of Dance at the V&A, discussing the life and career of Scottish dancer Patricia Thorburn, who trained at the Sadler Spires Ballet School but didn't join the Vic Wells Ballet company.

This episode features an interview about composer and conductor Joseph Horowitz, exploring his life, work including ballets and television themes, and his place in modern classical music.

This episode features an interview with artist Jock McFadyen discussing his early development and his work designing Kenneth Macmillan's controversial ballet The Judas Tree.

This episode features an interview with Jane Pritchard, curator of dance at the Victoria and Albert Museum, discussing the life and career of ballerina Irina Baronova and the historical context of the baby ballerinas in 1930s Paris.

This episode features an interview with Deborah Macmillan, wife of choreographer Sir Kenneth Macmillan, discussing his legacy and treatment as Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet.

This episode explores the life and career of dancer Pauline Clayden, an unsung hero of British ballet who performed with Sadezois Ballet and Covent Garden, and discusses her training at the historic Cone School.

This episode explores the history of British ballet through a conversation about Barbara Fuster's career and the influences of Ninette de Valois and Frederick Ashton in shaping the English ballet style.

This episode features a conversation about the lives and careers of dancers Rowena Jackson and Philip Chatfield, who performed with Sadler's Wells Ballet in the mid-20th century, with insights from Dame Monica Mason.

This episode features an interview with Scottish composer James MacMillan, discussing his Catholic faith, eclectic musical style, and his piece Trist used in ballet.

This episode celebrates the 100th anniversary of Dame Ninette de Valois founding the Academy of Choreographic Art, featuring a conversation with dance historian Dr.

This episode features an interview with dancer and choreographer Kenna Tharp discussing the career and influence of Dame Siobhan Davies in British contemporary dance.

This episode explores the early history of English National Ballet, focusing on its founding by impresario Julian Brownsweg in 1949 and the involvement of ballet stars Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin.

This episode explores the life and career of David Wall, a renowned Royal Ballet dancer, through an interview with his contemporary Patricia Linton.

This episode features an interview with dancer Noel Bronley, who discusses her time with International Ballet starting in 1946, highlighting the company's large-scale touring operations and historical significance compared to better-known groups like Sadler's Wells.

An interview with Deborah Weiss about British dancer Kevin Richmond, covering his career and contributions to ballet.

An interview with Dr Anna Meadmore about Nanette de Valois' ballet Checkmate and her legacy in British ballet.

An interview with dance historian Dr Anna Meadmore about Jill Tookie, founder of the National Youth Ballet.

An interview with painter John Craxton about his involvement in ballet design for Frederick Ashton's Daphnis and Chloe.

An interview with Anthony Russell Roberts about Sir John Tooley's career at the Royal Opera House and his role in ballet history.

This episode introduces the series and features an interview about Monica Ratcliffe, an overlooked pioneer of British ballet.

An interview with Dame Darcy Bussell about choreographer Christopher Wheldon's career and contributions to ballet.

An interview with critic Alistair Macauley discussing ballerina Antoinette Sibley's career and her collaboration with choreographer Frederick Ashton.

A roundtable discussion exploring the origins and early development of British ballet in the early 20th century.

This episode explores the career of ballet prodigy Wendy Toy through an archival interview and discussion with dancer Adam Cooper.