17 May 2019 09:00

Gerard Charles on Margot Fonteyn

In the latest Dancing Times, Gerard Charles, artistic director of the Royal Academy of Dance, pays tribute to Margot Fonteyn, the Academy’s longest-serving president

"Every day, as I walk into the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), I’m reminded of the debt of gratitude that not only the RAD but the dance world, and, indeed, the world at large, owe to Margot Fonteyn.

When I was growing up, Fonteyn for me was the epitome of what a ballerina was. In my first company job, I was fortunate enough to see her in the studio – just another dancer in class who may not have demanded special attention but nonetheless got it because of her work ethic and spirit. Fonteyn was elegant. She paid attention to every detail. She cared so much about everything she did. As a performer, I learnt simply from observing how she created an entirely different – almost magical – reality for the audience."

Purchase the latest issue of Dancing Times to read the full article.