Ninette de Valois

Great Lives

BBC

History, Documentary, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 5 September 2023

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Godmother of English - and Irish - ballet, Dame Ninette De Valois or ‘Madam’ as she was known to those around her. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of ballet. She established the Royal Ballet School, the Royal Ballet and the UK’s premiere touring ballet company, which went on to become the Birmingham Royal Ballet. Under the guidance of ‘Madam’, these institutions grew and became celebrated around the world, with post WWII Ballet tours generating much needed funds for the British Treasury and company members, including Margot Fonteyn and Robert (Bobby) Helpmann, becoming international celebrities. Madam was also instrumental in the development of National Ballets in Turkey, Iran and Canada. She achieved all of this despite a childhood diagnosis of polio and was dedicated to ballet right up until her 102nd year. She is nominated by choreographer Sir David Bintley. He met Madam while studying at the Royal Ballet School in the mid 70’s. To David, who was originally from Huddersfield, ‘Madam’ was his ‘Southern Grandmother’. David is joined by Anna Meadmore – dance historian and curator of the Royal Ballet Schools Special Collections Archive. Together they reflect also on Madam's formidable character, her unprecedented contribution to English Ballet and her legacy as an adventurous traditionalist. Presented by Matthew Parris Produced in Bristol by Nicola Humphries

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast, I'd like to introduce myself.
0:03.7	My name's Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport podcasts.
0:08.4	I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with a leading journalist, experienced
0:12.2	pundits and the biggest sport stars.
0:14.3	Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights straight from the players'
0:18.5	mouths.
0:19.5	But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is our unique access to the sport world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.8	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.2	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:41.6	It's 1949 and the Sadler's World's Ballet are taking America by storm.
0:48.1	New York out there with the 10th and mid-Thunders applause Sadler's World's
0:51.9	Betty Company making the An American debut had one of the most triumphant opening nights
0:56.2	in New York City's history.
0:57.8	Margot Fontaine is on the front cover of Time Magazine, the whole company dressed in British
1:03.4	Couture dazzle as crowds of fans pour into the streets to welcome them.
1:09.3	And there in the midst of it all is today's great life.
1:13.6	A tiny figure full of determination and focus who nearly 50 years on from this glittering
1:20.2	occasion at almost a hundred years old will still be found stalking through the corridors
1:26.4	of three great institutions which became under Madame's leadership, the Royal Ballet School,
1:32.8	the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
1:35.6	And there she is in rehearsal.
	...

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