The Royal Ballet School announced today that the official opening of The White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource Centre is to take place on Wednesday 25 February. The UK’s first permanent museum dedicated to classical ballet is designed to offer visitors an insight into the development of the art form. The Museum is uniquely housed within White Lodge in Richmond Park, home to The Royal Ballet Lower School since 1955 and an acclaimed example of neo-Classical English Palladian architecture.

At a brief ceremony on 25 February, the School’s Vice President, Lady Sarah Chatto, will declare the Museum open, dedicating it to the memory of her late Mother, HRH The Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon. The Princess was President of The Royal Ballet from 1956 until her death in 2002.

The result of a specific £350,000 fundraising campaign, The White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource Centre is part of more extensive redevelopments currently taking place at White Lodge and a demonstration of The Royal Ballet School’s commitment to creating greater access opportunities for the wider community.

Through a series of films, artefacts and interactive resources, the Museum enables visitors to trace the history of White Lodge from 1727 to its present day position as one of the world’s finest ballet schools and at the same time, follow the parallel history of classical ballet. A major focus of the Museum is the life and legacy of Dame Ninette de Valois - one of the key visionaries of British ballet and the Founder of The Royal Ballet.

Access to The White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource Centre is free of charge and can be arranged in advance by calling 020-8392 8440.

For further information, photographs or press access please contact:

Jim Fletcher
Development Manager, The Royal Ballet School
T: 020-7845 7074 M: 07768 455667
E: jimf@royalballetschool.co.uk

Notes for Editors

The White Lodge Museum and Ballet Resource Centre - Founding Sponsors
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Julia Farron FRAD
The Sir John Ritblat Family Foundation
The Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation
Garfield Weston Foundation