PRESS RELEASE

13 January 2013

White Lodge Museum & Ballet Resource Centre today announced the opening on 22 January of an important new exhibition entitled Anya Linden, Lady Sainsbury: Ballerina and Benefactor.

This first major exhibition celebrating the illustrious career and far-reaching influence of Anya Linden is timed as part of celebrations surrounding her 80th birthday on 3 January 2013.

A former student of The Royal Ballet School, Anya Linden became a Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet from 1958-63. Her repertoire encompassed all the Classical ballerina roles and works by Massine, Ashton, Helpmann, Cranko and MacMillan. In 1963, she married John, Lord Sainsbury of Preston Candover KG. Together they established The Linbury Trust which gives vital support to the arts.

The exhibition will feature a wide collection of photographs from Anya Sainsbury’s private collection, and her newly restored Princess Aurora tutu from 1957, worn in Act I of The Royal Ballet’s iconic production of The Sleeping Beauty, designed by Oliver Messel.

To visit Anya Linden, Lady Sainsbury: Ballerina and Benefactor it is necessary to contact White Lodge Museum in advance by telephone on 020 8392 8440, Option 7, or by email at museum@royalballetschool.co.uk

For further press information, please contact Jim Fletcher, Development Manager, The Royal Ballet School on 020 7845 7074, mobile 07768 455667 or email jimf@royalballetschool.co.uk