Monica Mason takes final step to lead Royal Ballet

The woman who has been calming dancers' nerves and tempers since the surprise departure of the Royal Ballet's director, Ross Stretton, was formally appointed as his successor yesterday.

Monica Mason, an old hand at the Royal Opera House, and the hot favourite to be confirmed in the post, has been asked by the board to take permanent charge immediately.

Sir Colin Southgate, the board's chairman, said Ms Mason had already done a great job as acting director since Mr Stretton left in the face of a company revolt in September. Dancers complained that his management style had failed to produce a company that gelled, and they objected to frequent last-minute changes of cast.

Mr Stretton, an Australian, quit after only a year. In a leaving statement, he suggested the Royal Ballet was more interested in "heritage" than in "the future of ballet".

Sir Colin said yesterday: "[Ms Mason] has already impressed us with the changes she has introduced to the repertory for this season. I personally look forward to her exciting plans for the future."

Monica Mason was born in South Africa and came to Britain at 14 to train. She joined the Royal Ballet in 1958 when she was only 16, the youngest member of the company at that time. After a spell in the corps de ballet, she was chosen by the choreographer, Kenneth MacMillan, to create the demanding role of the Chosen Maiden in the premiere of his Rite of Spring in 1962. A year later she was appointed a soloist and became a principal member of the dance company in 1968. When she retired from dancing, she turned to coaching and became an assistant director of the Royal Ballet in 1991.

Ms Mason said yesterday: "I am deeply honoured to be appointed director of this great company. Over the past three months, I have been overwhelmed by the support given to me by everybody at the Royal Opera House and the dance community.

"I am excited at the prospect of leading the company over the next four and a half years, during which we will celebrate the company's 75th birthday."