Performance Database

History: Dance company founded by Marie Rambert. Until the 1960s, the company gave 1930 as the year of its foundation because that year saw the first performances of the Marie Rambert Dancers. With the change of direction in 1966, the company looked back at its choreographic history and changed the year of its creation to 1926, taking Ashton’s ‘A Tragedy of Fashion’ as its founding work. Therefore, four years of the Rambert School’s history (1926-1929) are included as part of the company’s history because programmes in these years credit ‘pupils of Madame Rambert’ and ‘Madame Rambert’s School of Dancing’, not a company.: :In 1931, Rambert’s husband Ashley Dukes partitioned the school’s premises, Horbury Hall in Notting Hill Gate, to create a small theatre. Together, they launched the Ballet Club, initially a private club so that performances could be held on Sundays when the dancers were free. In 1933, the theatre became licensed for public performances and was named the Mercury. When performing at the Mercury, the company was known as Ballet Club. When performing at other London theatres or elsewhere in the UK, the company was variously called Marie Rambert Dancers, The Rambert Ballet, and Ballet Rambert. First used in 1935, Ballet Rambert gradually became the official name. : :In 1940-41, the company was based at the Arts Theatre Club, London, along with Antony Tudor’s London Ballet. Ballet Rambert and London Ballet began to share personnel and resources so that over the course of the two years, their names became amalgamated. In late 1941, the dancers brought in Equity because Harold Rubins, who owned the Arts Theatre Club, did not pay them a living wage. In response, Rubins fired them. London Ballet folded, but Ballet Rambert took Rubins to court because he had leased the sets and costumes and refused to return them. Consequently, the company did not exist in 1942 while the court case ensued. : :In March 1943, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (C.E.M.A.) took over management of the re-launched Ballet Rambert. C.E.M.A. toured small ensembles of musicians and actors to armament factories in England and Wales, where they performed to workers during their breaks. With its repertoire created for the small stage of the Mercury, Ballet Rambert was ideal for this ‘home front’ work. Ballet Rambert now became a touring company. Soon, it was pioneering performances in ‘towns without theatres’, dancing for the general public in town halls, miners’ welfare halls, and other spaces. When World War II ended, Ballet Rambert toured Germany in early 1946 with E.N.S.A., performing for British soldiers stationed there. : :In 1947, the association with C.E.M.A., now called Arts Council of Great Britain, ended, and Ballet Rambert undertook a successful 15-month tour of Australia and New Zealand. Around half the dancers stayed in Australia, and so the diminished company was known as Ballet at Eight in its final season at the Mercury in 1949. Although the name soon reverted to Ballet Rambert, The Rambert Ballet was also used during the 1950s.: :In 1966, Ballet Rambert changed direction. It became a small ensemble focusing on contemporary works using a contemporary technique. The dancers were encouraged to choreograph. A resident orchestra, The Mercury Ensemble, was established. Norman Morrice became Artistic Director in 1970, succeeded by John Chesworth in 1974. : :Robert North was appointed Artistic Director in 1980, succeeded by Richard Alston in 1986. In 1987, Alston changed the name to Rambert Dance Company to reflect the contemporary repertoire. The company was without an artistic director in 1993, and The Mercury Ensemble folded. Christopher Bruce relaunched the company in 1994, with the London Musici as its associate orchestra (until 2009). Bruce remained artistic director until 2002, when Mark Baldwin took over. In August 2013, the company’s name became Rambert. Baldwin stepped down in 2018, succeeded by Benoit Swan Pouffer.

Performances as Marie Rambert Dancers

Date ↿⇂ Dance Work ↿↾ Dance company Venue ↿⇂
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Waterloo and the Crimea Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Waterloo and the Crimea* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Variation of Aurora Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Variation from ''Swan Lake'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Variation from ''Swan Lake'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
24 Nov 1930
Evening
The Ballet of Mars and Venus Marie Rambert Dancers Opera House, Manchester
15 Sep 1930
Evening
The Ballet of Mars and Venus Marie Rambert Dancers Gaumont Theatre, Southampton
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
The Ballet of Mars and Venus Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Shepherd's Wooing Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Shepherd's Hornpipe Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Shepherd's Hornpipe Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Shepherd's Hornpipe Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Saudade do Brésil* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Russian Pedlar Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Russian Peasant Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Russian Peasant Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Russian Peasant Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Russian Boyard Dance Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Rugby Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Rugby Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Rugby Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Rugby Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Primavera* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Peasants' Frolic Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Pavane Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Our Lady's Juggler Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Our Lady's Juggler* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Mercury* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Mazurka Finale Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Mazurka Finale Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Mazurka des Hussars* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Mars and Venus Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Mars and Venus Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Mannequin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Mademoiselle Maupin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Mademoiselle de Maupin Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Mademoiselle de Maupin* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Les Sylphides Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Les Sylphides* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Leda and the Swan Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Leda and the Swan* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
14 Feb 1930
Evening
Leda and the Swan Marie Rambert Dancers Savoy Restaurant, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Le Spectre de la Rose Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Le Spectre de la Rose Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Le Spectre de la Rose Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Le Spectre de la Rose Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Le Rugby Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Le Rugby* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Le Boxing Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
La Péri Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
La Belle Viennoise Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
La Belle Ecuyère Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
La Belle Ecuyère Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
La Belle Ecuyère Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
L'Indifferent Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
L'Après-midi d'un faune Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Gavotte Sentimentale Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Gavotte Sentimentale Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Gavotte Joyeuse Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Galop* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Flight of Swans Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Final Galop Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Final Galop Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Final Galop Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Final Galop Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Final Galop Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Farrucca Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Farrucca Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Farrucca Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Farrucca Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Fairy Tales from ''The Sleeping Beauty'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Fairy Tales from ''The Sleeping Beauty'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Fairy Tales from ''The Sleeping Beauty'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Fairy Tales from ''The Sleeping Beauty'' Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Entrée de Cupidon Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Dances from ''The Three Cornered Hat'' Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Cricket Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Cricket Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Cricket Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Cricket* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Columbine Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
15 Jun 1931
Evening
Circus Dance Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Chinese Magician Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Carnaval Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Carnaval Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Carnaval Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Carnaval Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Carnaval* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
8 Jul 1930
Matinee
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers New Scala Theatre, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
Capriol Suite Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
25 Feb 1930
Matinee
Capriol Suite* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Jun 1931
Evening
Blue Bird Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
10 Oct 1931
Evening
American Sailor Marie Rambert Dancers New Theatre, London
5 Jan 1931
Evening
A Florentine Picture Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
3 Jan 1931
Evening
A Florentine Picture Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
22 Dec 1930
Evening
A Florentine Picture Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
20 Dec 1930
Evening
A Florentine Picture* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London
23 Jun 1930
Evening
''I Can't Abear a Butcher''* Marie Rambert Dancers Lyric Hammersmith, London