The Royal Ballet School marked its centenary with a major celebration that highlighted its enduring influence and rich heritage within the world of ballet. The event, held recently at the school’s venue, featured more than 300 dancers in a dynamic procession that traced the institution’s history while showcasing its future potential.
The celebration opened with a parade choreographed by Valentino Zucchetti, which featured a formation of students beginning with 12-year-olds from the lower school and culminating with performers drawn from both the Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet companies. The scale of the event necessitated the expansion of the stage to twice its usual size, accommodating the large number of dancers and the considerable audience, many of whom were alumni.
Founded in 1926 by Ninette de Valois, the Royal Ballet School originally bore the name Academy of Choreographic Art and was designed to foster both choreography and technique. De Valois’s vision incorporated a blend of influences from major ballet traditions, including the teachings of Édouard Espinosa, Enrico Cecchetti, and Nicolas Legat, as well as elements derived from her experience with Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and the theater work of WB Yeats. This diverse foundation contributed to the development of the distinctive English style of ballet.
The centenary program featured excerpts from historic works, including De Valois’s "Checkmate," accompanied by Arthur Bliss’s dramatic score. Young students performed as the red pawns, with Mayara Magri taking on the role of the Black Queen. The celebration also included Frederick Ashton’s "Birthday Offering," a piece first presented in 1956 to mark the Royal Ballet receiving its royal charter. This work is notable for its demanding choreography and has historically featured prominent ballerinas such as Margot Fonteyn and Nadia Nerina.
New premieres were also part of the event, reflecting the school’s ongoing creative evolution. Christopher Wheeldon’s "Beautiful Shadow," set to Benjamin Britten’s piano music, expressed a melancholic tone, while Cathy Marston’s "Night Falling," a duet performed by Matthew Ball and William Bracewell, showcased a passionate narrative. Both Wheeldon and Marston are former students who have since become established choreographers intimately familiar with the school's artistic strengths. Additionally, a piece by David Bintley, "Still Life at the Penguin Café – Southern Cape Zebra," was presented as a poignant commentary on animal extinction, highlighting the school’s engagement with contemporary themes.
The program concluded with a series of classical excerpts, underscoring the Royal Ballet School’s prominent position in British cultural life. While distilling a century of achievement into one evening was a challenge, the centenary celebration successfully paid tribute to the institution’s significance and continuing legacy in the world of ballet.