16 Facts About Leslie Edwards

Leslie George Edwards was a British ballet dancer and ballet master.

Leslie Edwards was one of the final links with Ninette de Valois's original pre-war Vic-Wells Ballet.

Leslie Edwards trained with Margaret Craske, Stanislav Idzikowski and Vera Volkova.

Leslie Edwards was a cast member in the original production of Antony Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas in 1936.

Leslie Edwards first danced with the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1933 he only officially joined the company in 1937.

Leslie Edwards was known for his character roles rather than classical technique and later enjoyed purely mime roles.

Leslie Edwards taught mime at the Royal Ballet School while still a principal with the Royal Ballet.

Leslie Edwards's career began in the supporting male roles before graduating to the villains.

Leslie Edwards's niche was in "the meatier roles in the mime and character repertory" such as the Red King in De Valois's Checkmate and as the American tourist in Massine's La Boutique fantasque.

Leslie Edwards's success grew after Frederick Ashton created the amiable role of Arthur for him in his A Wedding Bouquet of 1937.

Leslie Edwards was notable as the farmer Thomas in Ashton's La Fille Mal Gardee of 1960.

Leslie Edwards had an unusually long 60-year career, which was interrupted only for two years of war service during the Second World War.

Leslie Edwards worked as a rehearsal director for the Royal Ballet from 1959 to 1970.

Leslie Edwards was the first director of the newly formed Royal Ballet Choreographic Group from 1967 to 1987.

Leslie Edwards served as ballet master for the Royal Opera from 1970 to 1990.

Leslie Edwards died at his home in London on 8 February 2001 after suffering from cancer.