Peter Darrell
Peter Darrell CBE, was born on 16 September 1929 in Richmond Surrey. He studied at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School, joined the opera ballet there and then took part in the inaugural performance of The Sadler's Wells Ballet Company, now Birmingham Royal Ballet.
Darrell had two guiding aims: to use classical ballet to entertain the widest possible public, and to introduce contemporary themes and the influence of other theatrical skills. This led in 1956 to a collaboration with the like-minded Elizabeth West, who was teaching at the Old Vic School in Bristol. Together they founded the company which was then called Western Theatre Ballet. After her untimely death in 1962, Darrell remained in sole charge. The company soon won a high reputation for the drama, humour and individuality of its productions. In 1969 the company accepted an invitation to move its base to Glasgow, where it became Scottish Theatre Ballet and later, in recognition of a widening repertoire and purpose, Scottish Ballet
Peter Darrell died on 2 December 1987 in Glasgow.
How to find material relating to Peter Darrell
- Browse through a list of documents or events associated with Peter Darrell or use the Name Search option on the Scottish Theatre Archive Search
See also
- The Peter Darrell Trust. Formed in 1994 to preserve and promote the works of the late Peter Darrell CBE., Founder director of Scottish Ballet
