Henry Danton "In Conversation" with Dame Monica Mason
The centenarian former dancer and teacher will be talking about his long and varied career.
[Non members wishing to attend should request the link from: [email protected]]
We are delighted that, finally, members will be able to hear from Henry Danton (in the USA) who celebrated his 101st birthday this year and continues to teach after a varied and illustrious career in dance. This is all the more to be celebrated as Henry and Dame Monica were scheduled to appear in person last March and, then, via Zoom this January. As Henry’s ‘biography’ has already been published in two previous Newsletters, here is just a quick reminder of his amazing career.
Formerly an Army Officer, Henry saw active service in the Second World War before retiring in 1940. During and immediately after the war, he performed as a soloist with the International Ballet Company, partnering the leading ballerina Mona Inglesby.
With the Sadlers Wells Ballet (1944–46), he appeared with Margot Fonteyn, Beryl Grey, and Violetta Elvin in the Rose Adagio and Pamela May in Les Sylphides. He created leading roles in a number of works, most notably in Sir Frederick Ashton's Symphonic Variations partnering Moira Shearer (the central couple was Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes and the other ‘side’ dancers were Pamela May and Brian Shaw).
Privately trained with Judith Espinosa, Henry passed the Royal Academy of Dancing's four exams with honours, winning the Adeline Genée Silver Medal after just 18 months of classical ballet training. It was this medal which was presented to him in autumn 2019, the shortage of metal having prevented one being struck in 1942.
In 1946, Henry began his international dancing career travelling first to Paris to work with some of the leading Russian teachers of the day, including Victor Gsovsky. As a dancer, Henry appeared with touring ensembles across the UK, Europe, Australasia and South America partnering ballerinas including Svetlana Beriosova, Colette Marchand, Celia Franca and Sonia Arova. His international career as a teacher continues to this day. [Photo credit: Mississippi Public Radio]
