That is the Show

Norman Morrice was born in Agua Dulce, Mexico, the son of a British oil engineer. He grew up in Scotland where he saw touring performances by the Sadler’s Wells Ballet, but studied geophysics and worked for Anglo-Iranian Oil before deciding he wanted to become a dancer. He began his training with Marie Rambert in 1952 and joined her company the following year.

Norman Morrice began to choreograph at a difficult time as the repertoire of Ballet Rambert at the time was dominated by multi-act 19th century ballets such as Don Quixote and Coppelia. In the mid-1960s, the company was in financial crisis, and he encouraged Marie Rambert to return to the company’s roots and recommit to creating original works.

Morrice was appointed Associate Artistic Director of Ballet Rambert to help oversee the transition and built up a new repertoire of works by company members and specially commissioned American choreographers. The company began to train in both modern dance and classical ballet, and continues to do so today. He was also the Artistic Director of The Royal Ballet from 1974-77, and was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal for services to ballet in 1973.