Pamela May

Biography

She was known both for her grace and exuberance as a British classical ballerina in the early years of the Royal Ballet, and helped lead the company into international prominence. The second most popular dancer of the company who was oft times left in the shadows to play "second lead" to life-long friend and peer Margot Fonteyn, Pamela May was nevertheless a British favorite especially in her interpretations of 19th-century classics. She was born in San Fernando, Trinidad on May 30, 1917, and following intensive training with Ninette de Valois, made her debut in 1934 at the age of 17 with the Royal Ballet (which was initially called the Vic-Wells Ballet and later the Sadler's Wells Ballet). It was de Valois herself who changed her first name from Doris to Pamela. Both she and Fonteyn became the reigning stars of the Royal Ballet after 'Alicia Markova' left the company for an international career. Recurring knee injuries eventually forced Pamela to retire her ballet shoes in 1952. She did continue in mime pieces and occasional character roles, such as the Queen in "Swan Lake," until retiring altogether in 1982. From 1954 to 1977, Ms. May earned major recognition as a dance teacher at the Royal Ballet. Known over time for her colorful life off stage, this elegant blonde's impressive work includes her Odette/Odile in "Swan Lake," Princess Aurora in "The Sleeping Beauty," both the Red Queen and Black Queen in "Checkmate," Myrtha in "Giselle" and Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella." Appearing in a few early TV shows and unbilled movie parts in the 1930's, she died on June 6, 2005 at age 88 in London.