The LBC Choreographic Award renamed
The LBC Choreographic Award renamed to the LBC Gainsbury Award to honour Linda Gainsbury
Photo: Linda Gainsbury with Vadim Muntagirov via Instagram
The London Ballet Circle’s Choreographic Award was initiated by Linda Gainsbury in 2021 to mark the Circle’s 75th anniversary. As a tribute to Linda, who died in April 2024, the Award will now be known as the LBC Gainsbury Award.
Linda had been a keen follower of ballet all her life. She and her husband Michael befriended and supported many young dancers, particularly from the English National Ballet and The Royal Ballet. They sponsored the Emerging Artist award in the National Dance Awards, setting up the L&M Trust to do this.
In the tribute to Linda which appeared in our June 2024 newsletter our Chair, Susan Dalgetty Ezra, wrote:
‘Over its 78 years, LBC has had many committed volunteers but one would be hard pressed to name one who did as much for the organisation as Linda Gainsbury. When she answered the call for a secretary six years ago, none of us had any idea of the positive impact she would have. Coming from a background in the Civil Service, she possessed incredible organizational skills and, coupled with her love of ballet, the LBC benefited hugely. Not only did Linda act as Secretary, but she edited the newsletter during Covid, wrote all the LBC policies, compiled a procedures manual, interviewed In Conversation guests and contributed her wisdom and ideas at every Trustees meeting. Linda acted as Vice-Chair and was a constant source of support, advice, and encouragement to me, as Chair, and to all the Trustees. At in person events, Linda was often the first person you would meet and she made sure you were warmly welcomed. She was a first-class recruiter too and many of you became members after meeting her. Her enthusiasm couldn’t help but rub off on you.
‘Despite her failing health, Linda wasn’t prepared to give in. She continued to support the dancers in so many ways and was instrumental in helping Vadim Muntagirov write his autobiography, From Small Steps to Big Leaps. She was so pleased when Vadim did an In Conversation and book signing for LBC last June. Sitting quietly in the audience, she smiled with pride as Vadim signed books and chatted with people. Linda knew she didn’t have long, but she made the most of every minute. Only days before her death, she was at the Royal Opera House attending an Insight. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that Linda won’t be in her favourite seat at the end of Row A in the stalls at the Opera House. We shall miss her terribly. She was a treasure and LBC owes her a huge debt of thanks. Linda will not be forgotten and the Trustees are looking for an appropriate way to be sure she will be remembered.’
Her idea to create a choreographic award reflected her desire to encourage new creative classical work from emerging choreographers and the award has now developed into a biennial event. Linda was a dear friend of the London Ballet Circle and of the wider ballet world. We are proud to honour her memory in this way.
Read about the 2024 Award and the winners for 2024 and 2022.
