Marie Rambert (1888-1982), Founder and director of Ballet Rambert, lecturer and teacher

Dame Marie Rambert (Dame Marie Dukes)

Sitter in 8 portraits
Born Cyvia Rambam in Warsaw, she came to the attention of Diaghilev in 1913. She joined the Ballets Russes as a teacher and became Nijinsky's assistant choreographing L'Après-midi d'un faune and Le Sacre du printemps. She came to London in 1917, married and became a British citizen. In 1920 she opened a school and producing pupil Frederick Ashton's first ballet in 1926. She co-founded the Comargo Club with Ninette de Valois in 1930, also forming the first permanent English ballet company, the Ballet Rambert. Over the next fifty years as the 'mother' of English ballet Rambert introduced new performers, choreographers and designers and built up a vigorous native school.