An Evening for Margot Fonteyn

Dame Margot Fonteyn was born on 18th  May 1919 and this event is a golden opportunity to celebrate her life and performances. The host, Alastair Macaulay (the former chief theatre critic of the Financial Times and dance critic of The New York Times), will be joined by several luminaries from the ballet world who knew and worked with Dame Margot. There will also be a display of photos and some film footage to enable us to recall what was so very special about Fonteyn’s artistry.

The evening has been arranged in response to suggestions from Members that this centenary represents an important moment in ballet history. Our President, Dame Monica Mason, has generously taken an active part in planning the programme for the evening which, in addition to the visual images, will include the following:

• Introductory talk which will focus on Fonteyn’s place in the history of ballet and, in particular, the development of the Royal Ballet and its style
• Panel Discussion featuring  Dame Monica Mason, Dame Merle Park, Alfreda Thorogood Wall, and Donald Macleary. The Panel will share their memories of working with Fonteyn, what she was like as a person, and their view of her significance on the ‘world stage’.  Members of the audience will then be invited to ask questions.
• Cake Cutting by our Patron, Sir Peter Wright, and a Toast with an opportunity to mingle and view exhibits 
• Demonstration of a piece of Choreography developed by Fonteyn together with some background information on this
• Coaching/Practical Session featuring Romany Pajdak, First Artist, The Royal Ballet

Proceedings will be brought to an end by Kevin O’Hare, Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet, who will talk about the legacy of Dame Margot Fonteyn to the current day Royal Ballet.

Dame Monica Mason has been talking about Dame Margot Fonteyn to Mark Monahan of The Daily Telegraph. Please see here: 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/dance/ballet/could-never-take-eyes-genius-margot-fonteyn/ 

The Royal Opera House will be running a stall at the West End Flea Market in the grounds of St Paul's (the Actor's Church) Covent Garden from 10.45 am to 1.00pm on Saturday, 18th May. Other West End Theatres will be participating. Admission is free.  https://officiallondontheatre.com/news/acting-for-others-to-hold-west-end-flea-market/

Applications for this unique event should be made to Audrey Allen, 8 Goldsmith Road, London, N11 3JP, (020 8361 2872 [email protected]) together with your cheque for £20 made payable to The London Ballet Circle. Confirmation of your place will be by e-mail or by post if you enclose an s.a.e.