Anthony Dowell

Born: 1943-02-16

Sir Anthony James Dowell CBE (born February 16, 1943) is a retired British ballet dancer and a former artistic director of the Royal Ballet from 1986–2001. He is widely recognized as one of the great danseurs nobles of the twentieth century. Dowell was born in London and trained with June Hampshire before entering The Royal Ballet School aged ten. In 1960 he graduated into the Covent Garden Opera Ballet, transferring to The Royal Ballet the following year. He was promoted to Principal in 1966. Dowell created his first role in 1964as Oberon in Frederick Ashton’sThe Dream. The ballet also saw the beginning of Dowell’s partnership with Sibley, who created the role of Titania. Further significant role creations included Des Grieux (Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon) and Beliaev (Ashton’s A Month in the Country). International appearances included dancing as a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre from the 1978/9 season on, and appearing in Ken Russell’s film Valentino (1977).


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Valentino

as Vaslav Nijinsky
Released: 1977-09-07

In 1926 the tragic and untimely death of a silent screen actor caused female moviegoers to riot...

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Romeo and Juliet

as Benvolio
Released: 1966-10-04

Classic ballet by Kenneth MacMillan to the music of Prokofiev.

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Peter and the Wolf

as Grandfather
Released: 1997-01-01

A ballet version of the famous classic by Sergei Prokofiev, with narration by Anthony Dowell,...

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The Prince of the Pagodas

as The Emperor
Released: 1990-01-01

The Prince of the Pagodas is a ballet created for The Royal Ballet by choreographer John Cranko...

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The Nutcracker - The Royal Ballet

as Drosselmeyer
Released: 2001-12-25

A re-staging of the Royal Ballet's 1985 production, with Anthony Dowell - this time as...

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The Sleeping Beauty

as Carabosse
Released: 1994-04-06

The Sleeping Beauty unites Petipa's demanding but enchanting choreography with Tchaikovsky's...

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Swan Lake

as Prince Siegfried
Released: 1982-01-01

The Royal Ballet's 1980 production of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet.

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The Nutcracker

as Sugar Plum Fairy's Prince
Released: 1985-01-01

Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 version of The Nutcracker for The Royal Ballet, still performed by the...

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Cinderella

as The Prince
Released: 1970-12-25

Cinderella is helped to the ball by her fairy godmother in The Royal Ballet's version of the...

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A Month in the Country

as Beliaev
Released: 1976-02-12

A Month in the Country is a narrative ballet created in 1976 with choreography by Frederick...

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Darcey's Ballet Heroes

as uncredited
Released: 2015-12-25

60-minute film in which ballet star Darcey Bussell undertakes a very personal journey to meet...

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Great Performances

as Drosselmeyer
First aired: 1971-01-28

The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse...

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