Leanne Benjamin in place of Marianela Nunez

Leanne Benjamin began ballet lessons at age four at the Jan Moore School of Dance in Rockhampton. Later, she and her sister trained with Valeria Hansen. In 1980, she was accepted into the Royal Ballet School at age 16. Within a year, she won two prestigious awards, the Adeline Genée Gold Medal and Prix de Lausanne.

She joined the Company in 1992, becoming a Principal by the spring of that season. She was also a Principal with Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, English National Ballet and Deutsche Opera Ballet and danced with Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company at New York City Center in 2008.[3] She retired from the Royal Ballet in July 2013 after 21 years with the company.

In 2004 and 2009 she won the National Dance Award for Best Female Dancer.

Due to sickness Leanne Benjamin will replace Marianela Nunez in conversation with Dame Monica Mason Monday 18 February, 7.30 pm at the Civil Service Club 13-15 Great Scotland Yard, London, SW1A 2HJ

Payment at the door, members £5, guests £8