Who Founded the Royal Ballet?

Ballet

The Royal Ballet was founded in 1931 by Dame Ninette de Valois. A British ballet dancer, teacher and choreographer, she believed that a classical ballet company should be established in London to rival the great companies of Europe. She was joined by Lilian Baylis, the owner of Sadler’s Wells Theatre, and together they formed the Vic-Wells Ballet (named for the theatre).

The first performance of the Vic-Wells Ballet was on 18th May 1931 and included works from choreographers such as Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and Enrico Cecchetti. The company quickly gained popularity due to its unique style which combined classical technique with modern innovations. Over time it became known simply as ‘The Royal Ballet’ after being granted its royal charter in 1956.

Dame Ninette de Valois was at the helm of The Royal Ballet for nearly 30 years and during this time she oversaw some of its most noteworthy productions including Swan Lake (1935), Romeo and Juliet (1937) and The Sleeping Beauty (1939). Following her retirement in 1963 she was succeeded by Kenneth MacMillan who further developed her vision by introducing more contemporary works into the repertoire.

Conclusion:

Dame Ninette de Valois is credited with founding The Royal Ballet in 1931 and establishing it as one of the world’s leading companies. With strong support from Lilian Baylis, she pioneered a style that combined classical ballet technique with modern innovations. Under their leadership, The Royal Ballet achieved international fame thanks to iconic productions such as Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet and The Sleeping Beauty.