The brilliance of the Royal Ballet 

The Royal Ballet is world renowned premier company from London, England. Established in the late 1920's as a small troupe and school by former dancer, NINETTE DE VALOIS, the group eventually gained a name the "Vic-Wells Ballet" and the support to move into a theatre in north London, called the Sadler's Wells Theatre. DE VALOIS continued to direct the company for over 35 years, shaping the ballet company into the Royal Ballet as we know it today.

Early in the company's development, principal dancers named Alicia MARKOVA, Anton DOLIN, Margo FONTEYN, Peggy HOOKHAN, and Michael HELPMANN quickly brought international attention. DE VALOIS, along with the brilliance of choreographer Frederick Ashton, set productions such as The Nutcracker,Swan Lake, The Wedding Bouquet and the Haunted Ballroom. It was in 1946 that the company moved to the Royal Opera House and later gained the name the Royal Ballet in 1956, by Royal Charter.

Today, the Royal Ballet maintains its reputation of brilliance in the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London. The company directed by Monica Mason, has 83 professional dancers, including such artists as DARCEY BUSSELL, LEANNE BENJAMIN, and famous guest artist SYLVIE GUILLEM.