BALLET IN SWEDEN

Press, Volume C, Issue 29657, 30 October 1961, Page 2

BALLET IN SWEDEN

Producer From Britain 181/ SUSAN VAUGHAN! LONDON. One day nine years ago British ballet-teacher, Mary Skeaping went to Sweden to produce "Swan Lake” for the Swedish Ballet. It was such a successful production and the Swedes liked her so much, that Miss Skeaping was offered the directorship of the company. Miss Skeaping already had an excellent job as balletmirtress of the Sadler’s Wells (now Royal) Ballet at London’s famed Covent Garden. And the Swedish company, though ancient, was little-known. But the offer was a chance to be her own boss. Miss Skeaping accepted it Under her talented direc. tion the company has gained an international reputation and the Swedes are thrilled and grateful. ■Hie other day the King of Sweden awarded her the Order of Vasa, First Class, a handsome and highly regarded decoration —if she had been similarly honoured in Britain. Miss Skeaping would have become a Dame. Miss Skeaping now in her fifties, is a good-looking, vivacious woman who has been in ballet all her life. Novikoff. Craske and other ballet greats were her teachers. She danced with Pavlova’s company in the ’twenties and later with other companies all over the world She went overseas, too, with Sadler’s Wells. And, with the world taking an increasing interest in the Swedish company, it is unlikely that her travels are yet ended.