Ballet and Dance Companies in United Kingdom

Find out everything about dance in United Kingdom, from information on some of the best British companies to dance auditions in United Kingdom.

“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

Martha Graham

 

United Kingdom & Dance

Ballet, like all dance in general, has always had, has and will always have a prominent place in United Kingdom.
The history of dance in the United Kingdom can be traced back to the medieval era. Courtly dances such as the carole and the basse danse were popular among the nobility, while folk dances such as the Morris dance and the sword dance were enjoyed by the common people. In the Tudor period, courtly dances were replaced by country dances, which were also popular with the general population.
The 18th century saw the rise of the quadrille, a square dance that was particularly popular in the fashionable London social scene. The 19th century saw the advent of the waltz, which quickly became the most popular ballroom dance. The early 20th century saw the development of new dances such as the foxtrot and the tango, which were popularized by the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.
Today, dance in the United Kingdom is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. There is a wide range of dance styles to choose from, ranging from traditional ballroom and Latin dances to contemporary styles such as hip hop and street dance.
The first ballet in the United Kingdom was performed in 1581 by a group of Italian dancers. Ballet then became popular in the French court, and it wasn‘t until 1661 that the first ballet school opened in London. English ballets were often based on popular stories, and it wasn‘t until the late 1800s that ballet began to develop its own identity. George Balanchine, a Russian–born choreographer, played a major role in developing ballet in the United Kingdom. He founded the London Festival Ballet in 1950, which later became the English National Ballet.

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The first ballet company in the United Kingdom was the Sadler’s Wells Ballet, which was founded in 1931. The company performed at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London and toured throughout the country. The company was later renamed the Royal Ballet.
The Royal Ballet is the largest and most internationally renowned classical ballet company in the world. Founded in 1931 by Dame Alicia Markova and Dame Margot Fonteyn, the company has been based at the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden since 1946. The company employs approximately 100 dancers and has a repertoire that includes works by many of the great masters of ballet, such as Marius Petipa, Frederick Ashton, Kenneth MacMillan, and Peter Wright. The Royal Ballet has an extensive training program and regularly tours both nationally and internationally.
There are many ballet schools in the United Kingdom that offer classes for beginners. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the most well-known and respected ballet schools in the world, and they have a branch in London which offers classes for beginners.

The Best Dance Institutions in United Kingdom