I was mesmerised by Margot Fonteyn when she danced in Australia - a truly magical moment in my life.
Dame Margot Fonteyn was born in Reigate, Surrey, England, and named Margaret Hookham. After marriage and recognition by the Crown for her important role in modern British ballet, her full name eventually became Dame Margot Fonteyn de Arias. She studied in London with the Russian teacher and dancer Seraphima Astafieva. In 1934 she became a member of the Vic-Wells Ballet (later the Sadler's Wells Ballet, then the Royal Ballet); in the following year she succeeded to dance many roles formerly danced by the famed British ballet dancer Alicia Markova. By 1940 Fonteyn was prima ballerina of the Sadler's Wells Company.
Fonteyn's dancing was characterized by technical proficiency and musical sensitivity. Her most famous role was Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty. She also created roles in many ballets by the British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton. In 1954 she became president of the Royal Academy of Dancing, and in 1956 was made Dame of the British Empire. Through the 1960s and 1970s, Fonteyn performed regularly with Soviet-born dancer Rudolf Nureyev during his tenure with the Royal Ballet. In 1979 the Royal Ballet granted Fonteyn the rare title prima ballerina assoluta.
Margot Fonteyn retired from the stage at 60 years old.
Fonteyn died of cancer on 21 February 1991.
Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable.
Looking back at my younger years, I believed I had the dedication and drive to achieve my dream.
I can recall sitting in High School classes, stretching my leg out into the aisle and checking my turn-out and pointing my toes, thinking I don’t need to know about maths, history etc., because I am going to be the next Margot Fonteyn.
However, I was not prepared for the ‘hormone impact’……
For some time I endeavoured to concentrate on both ballet classes and boys, by having my boyfriend pick me up after my private and class lessons before going out with him.
I struggled with being pulled in opposite directions for some time before realising that something had to give.Either give up ballet classes or give up my boyfriend.What a dilemma!!!It wasn’t a sudden break, but gradually I reduced my classes until I left completely.
So much for my dedication and commitment to the dance…….
However I continued following the careers of my favourite ballet dancers, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolph Nureyev.
