Margaret Scott (dancer)
Encyclopedia
Dame Catherine Margaret Mary Scott, AC, DBE (born 26 April 1922, Johannesburg
, South Africa
), best known as Margaret Scott, arrived in Australia
in 1947 on tour with the Ballet Rambert
and stayed there. She danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet
, appointed a principal dancer in 1941, and Ballet Rambert as a principal from 1943 to 1948. She studied teaching at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
.
In Australia, she danced with the National Theatre Ballet Company as a principal. She participated in the negotiations with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
that led to the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1962, and in 1964 was appointed director of the Australian Ballet School
, heading the school until 1990.
She appeared in Graeme Murphy
's version of The Nutcracker
in the 1992, 1994 and 2000 seasons. She represents Australia on the Council of the World Dance Alliance.
(OBE) in 1976, Dame Commander (DBE) in 1981 and Companion of the Order of Australia
(AC) in 2005. She has been the recipient of many other honours and awards including the award for lifetime achievement at the 1998 Australian Dance Awards
.
, founder of the Howard Florey Institute
, since 1953.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
), best known as Margaret Scott, arrived in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in 1947 on tour with the Ballet Rambert
Rambert Dance Company
Rambert Dance Company, is a leading British dance company. Formed at the start of the 20th century as a classical ballet company, it would exert a great deal of influence on the development of dance in the United Kingdom, and today, as a contemporary dance company, it continues to be one of the...
and stayed there. She danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
, appointed a principal dancer in 1941, and Ballet Rambert as a principal from 1943 to 1948. She studied teaching at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
RMIT University
RMIT University is an Australian public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. It has two branches, referred to as RMIT University in Australia and RMIT International University in Vietnam....
.
In Australia, she danced with the National Theatre Ballet Company as a principal. She participated in the negotiations with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust was set up in September 1954 under the guidance of H. C. ‘Nugget’ Coombs, Governor of the Commonwealth Bank, Sir Charles Moses General Manager, Australian Broadcasting Commission and John Douglas Pringle, Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald. It aimed to...
that led to the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1962, and in 1964 was appointed director of the Australian Ballet School
Australian Ballet School
The Australian Ballet School was founded in 1964 as the primary training facility for The Australian Ballet by Dame Margaret Scott. It is part of the Australian Ballet Centre, which is located in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, Southbank in Melbourne, Victoria...
, heading the school until 1990.
She appeared in Graeme Murphy
Graeme Murphy
Graeme Murphy is an Australian dance choreographer. Together with his fellow dancer Janet Vernon, he has guided Sydney Dance Company to become one of Australia's most successful and well-known dance companies....
's version of The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker is a two-act ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann's story "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King". It was given its première at the Mariinsky Theatre in St...
in the 1992, 1994 and 2000 seasons. She represents Australia on the Council of the World Dance Alliance.
Honours
Scott was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British EmpireOrder of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE) in 1976, Dame Commander (DBE) in 1981 and Companion of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(AC) in 2005. She has been the recipient of many other honours and awards including the award for lifetime achievement at the 1998 Australian Dance Awards
Australian Dance Awards
The Australian Dance Awards recognise excellence in dance in Australia, they are awarded under the auspice of the Australian Dance Council for performance, choreography, design, dance writing, teaching and related professions....
.
Personal life
She has been married to Emeritus Professor Derek DentonDerek Denton
Emeritus Professor Derek Ashworth Denton AC is an Australian scientist renowned for his research exploring the nature of consciousness in animals....
, founder of the Howard Florey Institute
Howard Florey Institute
The Howard Florey Institute, previously known as the Howard Florey Institute of Experimental Physiologyand applied research into treatments to combat brain and mind disorders and the cardiovascular system...
, since 1953.