Letter: Dance notes

The Old Vic theatre in Waterloo Road, London, is not usually considered to be the birthplace of British ballet ("Mirvishes put the Old Vic up for sale", 17 August). That honour should go to the Mercury Theatre in Notting Hill Gate.

There from 1927 Marie Rambert nurtured the gifts of an extraordinary group of young dancers, designers and choreographers, including Andree Howard, Maude Lloyd, Antony Tudor and Frederick Ashton. The Marie Rambert Dancers became Ballet Rambert.

The Vic-Wells Ballet was created a year or so later by Ninette de Valois. Later still it became the Royal Ballet, for which Frederick Ashton created his greatest ballets.

Robert Boyden-Coe

Market Harborough

Leicestershire