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John Cyril Cranko

(1927-1973), Ballet dancer, choreographer and director of the Stuttgart Ballet

Sitter associated with 3 portraits
Brought up in Johannesburg, Cranko attended the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1946, and the following year danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet. Encouraged to choreograph by de Valois, he first achieved success with Pineapple Poll (1951). In the same year he created Harlequin in April, and three years later produced Lady and the Fool. In 1957 he choreographed a full-length ballet, Prince of the Pagodas, to a commissioned score by Benjamin Britten. Appointed director of the Stuttgart Ballet in 1961, he commissioned work from other choreographers, including Kenneth MacMillan. Cranko continued to produce his own narrative ballets, among which Onegin (1965) is his most famous work.

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Margot Fonteyn; John Cyril Cranko

by Lord Snowdon
gelatin silver print, 4 January 1972
NPG P1865

John Cyril Cranko

by Cecil Beaton
bromide print on white card mount, 1956
NPG x14054

John Cyril Cranko

by Roland Peter Litzenburger
charcoal, 1972
NPG D43007

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The Royal Ballet at 75

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John Cyril Cranko

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