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The London Ballet Circle was delighted to welcome over 120 members and guests to its celebration of Dame Margot Fonteyn’s 90th Anniversary.
LBC Chairman Robin Key introduced the principal guests: Dame Monica Mason, Director, Royal Ballet, Donald Macleary, David Wall and Alfreda Thorogood. The LBC was also delighted that representatives of BBC Four were able to attend as part of their research for a new drama they intend to make about the life of Dame Margot.
The principal guests recalled their earliest memories of Dame Margot. Alfreda recalled Dame Margot’s generosity when she paid for dancing lessons for Alfreda and her sisters. David Wall recalled the very first occasion he partnered Dame Margot and how at ease she made him feel. He also talked about the positive influence Rudolf Nureyev had on the company when he joined, inspiring everyone to work harder. Dame Monica recalled Dame Margot’s unswerving devotion to doing class every day, even when her personal circumstances were at their most challenging. Donald Macleary remembered Dame Margot’s devotion to her fans – taking time to sign autographs even when she was suffering extreme exhaustion.
Members also shared their memories of the huge queues for tickets for Fonteyn’s performances and the endless curtain calls that followed each show.
Dame Monica closed the evening discussing Dame Margot’s legacy and how today’s dancers studied the films made of Dame Margot’s performances in the hope that they might also be able to capture some of the special magic of her performances.
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