Sir Peter Wright CBE

DMus DLitt FBSM

Vice President

Peter Wright made his debut as a professional dancer with the Ballets Jooss during World War II, and in the 1950’s he appeared with several dance companies, including the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet. In 1959 he was appointed Ballet Master to the Sadler’s Wells Opera and teacher at The Royal Ballet School. In 1961 he went to Stuggart as Teacher and Ballet Master to the company being formed by John Cranko; there he choreographed several ballets.

During the 1960s Peter also established himself as a successful producer of television ballets and choreographed various West End musicals and revues. In 1969 Peter returned to The Royal Ballet as Associate to the Directors, then became Assistant Director and Associate Director. In 1977 he was appointed Director of Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet, taking the Company to Birmingham in 1990 when it became Birmingham Royal Ballet. He had the title Director Laureate conferred on him in 1995 by Princess Margaret on his retirement from the Company. Peter received the Evening Standard Award for Ballet in 1981, and in 1985 was made a CBE.

In 1990 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from London University, the title of Special Professor of Performance Studies from the University of Birmingham, and he was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award from the RAD. In 1991 he was made a Fellow of the Birmingham Conservatoire of Music. He also won the 1991 Digital Premier Award, which he used to commission a new ballet for the company. He was awarded a knighthood in the 1993 Queen’s Birthday Honours list, an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Birmingham in 1994, and the Critics’ Circle Award in 1995 for Distinguished Service to the Arts.