100 stories: Dame Monica Mason 

As part of our centenary year, we are featuring 100 stories that make up The Royal Ballet School’s past, present and future, which will be released over the next 12 months. Today, we share the story of alum Dame Monica Mason, former Principal dancer, Répétiteur and Director of The Royal Ballet.

In 2023, Mason returned to the School to give a Creative Artist Talk to our students. She shared anecdotes from her life on the stage and imparted advice to the next generation from over 60 years in the industry. Watch the video of the talk below to hear insights into Mason’s accomplished career.

Dame Monica Mason was born in Johannesburg in 1941. She came to England aged 14 to train at the The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 1958 at the age of 16, becoming the Company’s youngest member.

In 1962 she was selected by Kenneth MacMillan from the corps de ballet to create the demanding role of the Chosen Maiden (The Rite of Spring). She went on to create several major roles for MacMillan, including Lescaut’s Mistress (Manon), Calliope Rag (Elite Syncopations), Summer (The Four Seasons) and the Midwife (Rituals). She became a Principal in 1968, dancing repertory that included classical and dramatic roles.

Mason was appointed Répétiteur to Kenneth MacMillan in 1980, Principal Répétiteur to The Royal Ballet in 1984, Assistant Director in 1991 and Director in December 2002.

In 2002 Mason was awarded an OBE and in 2008 was created a Dame Commander for her services to dance. In 2014 she became Chairman of The Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund. She has been appointed a Patron of Encore Dance at Tring School of Performing Arts and a Vice-President of The Royal Academy of Dance in 2019.

Mason has remained close to the School, attending internal performances as part of our feedback panels and occasionally teaching the students repertoire for special performances. We’re very grateful to Mason for her time, support and generosity.