Moira Shearer
(1926-2006), Ballet dancer, actor and writerMoira Shearer (Lady Kennedy)
Sitter in 11 portraits
Shearer joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1940. She made her professional debut with International Ballet and joined Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1942. Cast by Ashton as Pride in The Quest (1943), she progressed rapidly and danced all the major classical roles. In 1946 she was one of the six dancers on whom Ashton created his masterpiece Symphonic Variations and in 1948 she created the title role in Cinderella. Her appearance in the film The Red Shoes (1948) brought her international stardom and created a new audience for ballet. In 1952 she left the Company to pursue a successful career as an actress.
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