Giselle (probably) The Festival Ballet (3) Alicia Markova

‘Festival Ballet’ was founded by Anton Dolin, Alicia Markova and Julian Braunsweg in 1950. The idea for the new Company arose from successful gala programmes, including arena performances, featuring Markova and Dolin that were presented the previous year and the growth of interest in ballet nationwide following the War. The company’s original name was chosen by Alicia Markova, to reflect the imminent Festival of Britain (1951) and the variety of its programmes.