Champion step-dancer

The book A History of Irish Ballet 1927-1963 by Victoria O’Brien was published last October.

Unfortunately, the narrative of the book largely disregards two of the most important ballet companies operating in Ireland during the time period: Cork Ballet Company and Irish Theatre Ballet.

Irish Theatre Ballet is referred to in passing as a semi-professional company. In fact it was fully operational as a professional company with Stanley Judson as first ballet-master; it commissioned works from Irish composers, performing 24 new works specially created for it. Both companies carried out significant education and outreach work long before the same was instigated in the UK.