LONDON The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) has partnered with the Victoria&Albert Museum to co-curate a free to enter display to mark the iconic dance education organisation’s centenary.
On Point: Royal Academy of Dance at 100, opening 2 December 2020 (running till Setember 19, 2021), will tell the story of how the RAD shaped the future of dance training, the famous faces who lead the way, and how the RAD continues to bring the joy of dance to the lives of people across the world - even in the face of a global pandemic. Home to one of the largest dance collections in Europe, this is the first time that RAD has given access to its archive on this scale in its history, and the first new display to open in the V&A’s Theatre and Performance galleries since the museum reopened in August.

Structured in three sections, On Point houses over 60 original objects and over 80 archival images. The display draws on items and footage from both the RAD’s and V&A’s archives, including many objects that have not been displayed before. Alongside items relating to activities at the heart of RAD’s work, such as teacher training and ballet syllabi, the display will also bring visitors closer to some of ballet’s most famous faces. The RAD has always had a strong line to the dance profession, and has played a pivotal role in the careers of many prominent dance figures, from Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, to Robert Helpmann and John Cranko (The Prince of the Pagodas), some of whom will be celebrated in this display.

Among the highlights of the exposition Sigrifried’s tunic from the production of Swan Lake signed by Carl Turns in 1963 worn by Rudolf Nureyev, and Belle Rose’s costume for Kenneth MacMillan’s production of The Prince of the Pagodas, worn by Darcey Bussell, named Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet after the premiere of this ballet, the last full evening created by the British choreographer.

www.royalacademyofdance.org/onpoint

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