Elizabeth Anderton

Anderton, Elizabeth (b London, 28 May 1938). British dancer and director. She studied at Sadler's Wells School and in 1955 joined the Sadler's Wells Opera Ballet, moving to the Royal Ballet in 1957 where she danced until 1974, becoming soloist in 1958 and principal in 1961. She danced the standard ballerina roles as well as creating roles in several ballets, including Cranko's Sweeney Todd (1959), Ashton's The Two Pigeons (1961), Tudor's Knight Errant (1968), and Nureyev's Romeo and Juliet (1977). In 1976 she became teacher and guest dancer at London Festival Ballet, where she was assistant artistic director (1979-83 and 1984-90), and she has since taught at the Royal Ballet.