Royal Ballet to Hold Exhibit

England's Royal Ballet is to hold an exhibit about its history at the Lowry Centre in Salford, England, the BBC has reported.  The exhibit will be titled 'Invitation to the Ballet: Ninette de Valois and the story of The Royal Ballet' and will honor de Valois, the company's founder.  De Valois was considered one of the founders of modern British ballet.

According to the BBC, the exhibit will feature materials from ballets choreographed by de Valois, among them 'The Rake's Progress,' 'Checkmate, 'Don Quixote,' and 'Job.'  It will also include many photographs of the ballet throughout its history and a recreation of the dressing room of the company's former prima ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn, which will include some of her clothes, costumes, and possessions.  In addition, the exhibit will feature costumes worn by many of the company's great dancers, including Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev.  The two were considered to have the most successful ballet partnership of all time.

Monica Mason, the Royal Ballet's director, said, "I am thrilled that we are able to collaborate with The Lowry on such a large scale exhibition, one that not only explores the remarkable achievements and legacy of Ninette de Valois but also illustrates the work of The Royal Ballet through the eight decades of its existence.  This partnership with The Lowry enables us to bring the Company and its history to Salford and Manchester where we have so many connections."

Based at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, The Royal Ballet is Great Britain's most prestigious ballet company. Led by Director Monica Mason, principals include Leanne Benjamin, Federico Bonelli, Alina Cojocaru, Lauren Cuthbertson, Mara Galeazzi, Johan Kobborg, Sarah Lamb, David Makhateli, Roberta Marquez, Steven McRae, Laura Morera, Marianela Nuñez, Rupert Pennefather, Ivan Putrov, Tamara Rojo, Viacheslav Samodurov, Thiago Soares, Edward Watson and Zenaida Yanowsky. Carlos Acosta and Miyako Yoshida are regular guests.

The Company's wide-ranging repertory showcases the great classical ballets including The Royal Ballets own heritage, alongside new works by the foremost international choreographers of today and choreographers from within the Company's own ranks. This range embraces all the celebrated three-act classical ballets, together with works by Founder Choreographer Frederick Ashton and Principal Choreographer Kenneth MacMillan and ballets by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor and rising British talents.