Famous British Choreographers

Darcey Bussell is an English former ballerina best known for her appearances as a judge on the popular television show, Strictly Come Dancing. She is also known for her association with the Royal Ballet, where she was a principal dancer. Darcey Bussell is considered one of the best British ballerinas of all time and is the recipient of numerous awards.  

Margot Fonteyn was an English ballerina who spent her entire dancing career at the Royal Ballet. She was eventually appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet by Queen Elizabeth II. Margot Fonteyn achieved international fame after a tour of the US in 1949. She also helped popularize ballet in the US by appearing on TV before and after WWII.

Emma Slater is an English-American dancer and choreographer best known for making numerous appearances on the popular dance competition television series, Dancing with the Stars. Prior to making her TV debut, Emma Slater competed in dance competitions around the world, representing the UK. She then went on to establish herself as a theater and TV personality.

Ashley Banjo is an English actor, street dancer, and choreographer. He is best known as the leader of Diversity, a dance troupe that won the third series of the popular televised talent show, Britain's Got Talent. Ashley Banjo has also appeared as a judge on TV shows like Got to Dance and Dancing on Ice.

Craig Revel Horwood is an Australian-British dancer, choreographer, author, theatre director, conductor, and former drag queen. Also a TV personality, Horwood is best known for appearing as a judge on the British television dance contest, Strictly Come Dancing. Craig Revel Horwood has also released three autobiographies by joining hands with Michael O'Mara Books.

Wayne Sleep is a British actor, dancer, choreographer, and director. He is best known for his appearances on popular TV shows like The Real Full Monty and The Real Marigold on Tour. In 2020, Jay Webb played Wayne Sleep on the popular TV series The Crown.

Italian-British dancer Flavia Cacace is part of the dance duo Vincent and Flavia, with her dance partner Vincent Simone. She appeared multiple times on the reality show Strictly Come Dancing and won in its 10th season. She has also appeared on The Magicians. Flavis is married to actor Jimi Mistry.

Lindsay Kemp was a British dancer, choreographer, mime artist, actor, and teacher. He is remembered for playing the lead role of Divine in a mime and music show titled Flowers, which was based on Jean Genet's popular novel Our Lady of the Flowers. The show was considered a sensory and theatrical sensation. Kemp is also credited with mentoring David Bowie.

Matthew Bourne is an English choreographer who specializes in theatrical dance and contemporary dance. Best known for his unusual and quirky choreography, Bourne is the recipient of many prestigious awards, such as Laurence Olivier Awards, Tony Awards, and Drama Desk Awards.

Akram Khan is an English dance choreographer and dancer of Bangladeshi origin. A trained kathak dancer, Khan also specializes in contemporary dance. He is best known for founding the Akram Khan Company, which he formed alongside Farooq Chaudhry in 2000. Akram Khan is the recipient of several awards, such as the Laurence Olivier Award and Critics' Circle National Dance Award.

Antony Tudor was an English ballet dancer, teacher, and choreographer. He is remembered for founding the London Ballet as well as the Philadelphia Ballet Guild. Tudor is also remembered for his association with the Royal Swedish Ballet, where he served as the artistic director from 1963 to 1964. He also taught ballet at institutions like the University of California, Irvine.

Ninette de Valois was an Irish-born British dancer, choreographer, teacher, and director of classical ballet. She is best remembered for founding The Royal Ballet, which went on to become a world renowned classical ballet company. Counted among the most influential personalities in the history of ballet, Ninette de Valois is also credited with establishing the Royal Ballet School.

Frederick Ashton was a British choreographer and ballet dancer. He is best remembered for his work as a choreographer and director in opera, film, and revue. He achieved popularity as the chief choreographer at the Royal Ballet, where he worked alongside Ninette de Valois. Frederick Ashton succeeded de Valois as the company's director, serving until his retirement in 1970.

Christopher Wheeldon is an English choreographer of contemporary ballet. Over the course of his illustrious career, Wheeldon has worked with popular ballet companies, including the Royal Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet. He is also credited with founding a ballet company named Morphoses. Christopher Wheeldon is the recipient of several awards, including a Tony Award and Laurence Olivier Award. 

Kenneth MacMillan was a British choreographer and ballet dancer. He is best remembered for his association with the Royal Ballet, where he was the artistic director between 1970 and 1977. He also served as the company's principal choreographer from 1977 to 1992. Kenneth MacMillan was posthumously honored with the Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award.

Christopher Gable was an English actor, ballet dancer, and choreographer. He is best remembered for playing important roles in several film and television productions directed by Ken Russell. Christopher Gable is credited with transforming the Northern Ballet Theatre into a company of national renown. Gable is also credited with founding the Central School of Ballet.  

Sir Anton Dolin was an English ballet choreographer and dancer. He is best remembered for his association with the Royal Ballet, where he served as the principal during the 1930s. Along with Alicia Markova, Sir Anton Dolin is credited with founding the London Festival Ballet and the Markova-Dolin Ballet. Dolin was featured in the documentary, A Portrait of Giselle.

Michael Somes was an English ballet dancer best remembered for his successful partnership with Margot Fonteyn. He is also remembered for his association with the Royal Ballet, where he was a principal dancer. Michael Somes has also appeared on popular TV shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show. 

Frederic Franklin was a British-American ballet dancer, director, and choreographer. Over the course of his illustrious career, Franklin made immense contributions to several popular ballet companies, such as The Royal Ballet, Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo, and the Markova-Dolin Ballet. Frederic Franklin also received prestigious awards like the Laurence Olivier Award, the Capezio Dance Award, and the Dance Magazine Award.

Peggy van Praagh was a British ballerina, teacher, choreographer, repetiteur, director, producer, and advocate of dance. She is best remembered for her contribution as the founding artistic director of The Australian Ballet. Peggy van Praagh was inducted into the Australian Dance Award Hall of Fame and the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

John Weaver was an English dancer, choreographer, producer, and dancing master. He is widely regarded as the father of English pantomime and of English ballet. John Weaver realized his dream of wanting dance to enjoy the status of an art when he created The Loves of Mars and Venus, which is considered the first modern ballet, in 1717.

Stanley Holden was a British-American ballet choreographer and dancer. He is best remembered for his portrayal of Widow Simone in the 1960 production of Frederick Ashton's La fille mal gardée at the Royal Ballet. He also performed numerous other character roles for the company from 1944 to 1969. After retiring, Stanley Holden moved to California to perform and teach.

Norman Morrice was a British dancer and choreographer. He is best remembered for his service as the artistic director of both the Royal Ballet and Ballet Rambert, two of the most popular ballet companies in the UK. In 1974, Norman Morrice was honored with the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award by the Royal Academy of Dance.

Rina Lipa is a British model and dancer. She is known as the sister of singer-songwriter Dua Lipa. Rina Lipa came into prominence in 2021, when she made her modeling debut at the GCDS Fall 2021 collection, which was part of the famous Milan Fashion Week. Prior to making her modeling debut, Lipa acted in commercials and took ballet lessons.