Richard Alston, Influential British Choreographer, Dies at 77
Richard Alston, a prominent figure in the realm of British contemporary dance, passed away at the age of 77. He launched his career in 1967, coinciding with the founding of the London Contemporary Dance School and Theatre. Alston played a vital role in shaping the independent dance landscape during the 1970s and 1980s, leading Ballet Rambert from 1986 until 1992 and overseeing the Richard Alston Dance Company from 1994 to 2020. His choreography was known for its lyrical beauty and musicality. He established Strider in 1972 and returned to the UK in 1977 after living in New York. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded a CBE in 2001 and received a knighthood in 2019. He is survived by his half-sister Lucy and cousins.
Key facts
- Richard Alston died at age 77.
- He began his career in 1967 with the London Contemporary Dance School and Theatre.
- He directed Ballet Rambert from 1986 to 1992.
- He founded the Richard Alston Dance Company in 1994, which closed in 2020 due to funding cuts.
- His style is described as 'Alstony' by dancers.
- He was influenced by Merce Cunningham and the Judson Dance Theater.
- He was knighted in 2019.
- He was appointed CBE in 2001.
Entities
Artists
- Richard Alston
- Robert Cohan
- Merce Cunningham
- Siobhan Davies
- Michael Clark
- Ashley Page
- William Tuckett
- Antony Tudor
- Trisha Brown
- Lucinda Childs
- Howard Hodgkin
- Steve Reich
- Mary Fulkerson
- Frederick Ashton
- Shobana Jeyasingh
- Vidya Patel
- Liam Riddick
- Ellen Yilma
- Gordon Alston
- Margaret Alston
- Michael Alston
- Lucy Alston
Institutions
- London Contemporary Dance School
- London Contemporary Dance Theatre
- Ballet Rambert
- Rambert Dance Company
- Richard Alston Dance Company
- Strider
- Second Stride
- Contemporary Dance Trust
- The Place
- English National Opera
- Dartington College of the Arts
- Judson Dance Theater
- Cunningham studio
- Youth Dance England
- U.Dance programme
- Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company
- Ballet Black
- Phoenix Dance Theatre
- Scottish Ballet
- New York Theatre Ballet
- Bolshoi Ballet
- Royal Ballet
- Croydon College of Art
- Hill House
- Eton College
Locations
- United Kingdom
- London
- New York
- Devon
- Stoughton
- West Sussex
- An Italian in Madrid
- Sadler's Wells
- The Place, London