For the Love of Dance

Dame Beryl's life is defined by her love of dance. Both as a ballerina and an Artistic Director she helped make British ballet the powerhouse it is today. Knowing and working with virtually everyone in dance, she reveals fascinating insights into the people, characters, and institutions that made up world dance in the 20th century.

Grey began her dancing career with the Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1943 at the unprecedented early age of 14. Her natural virtuosity saw her quickly promoted, dancing her first Giselle at 17, and Princess Aurora at 19. Dame Beryl was the first English ballerina to dance at the Bolshoi and the Kirov, as well as the Peking Ballet.

Asked to become Artistic Director of what is now English National Ballet, her love of dance allowed her to navigate the tricky passage from ballerina to leader of a dance company. This autobiography proves a fascinating and personal insight into an extraordinary woman, her life, and particularly, her distinguished career.

About the Author

Dame Beryl Grey started dancing professionally in 1941. Later she became Artistic Director of Festival (English National) Ballet from 1968 until 1979. On leaving English National Ballet, Dame Beryl remained intimately connected with the dance world, including service with the Royal Academy of Dance, Dance Council of Wales and Governor of the Royal Ballet. She was appointed a Dame Commander in 1988.