A major star of the post-Diaghilev Ballets Russes, he was celebrated for his romantic roles
Frederic Franklin, who has died aged 98, was one of the best loved figures in the dance world. Always genial, always helpful, he possessed a razor-sharp memory of all the ballets he had appeared in. Franklin played an important part in the preservation of many early ballets by George Balanchine, and in 2002 was able to reconstruct episodes from Devil's Holiday, a ballet created by Frederick Ashton in 1939, never revived since and never seen on stage by Ashton.
Franklin, known as Freddie, was a major star of the post-Diaghilev Ballets Russes, forming a memorable and long-lasting partnership with the ballerina Alexandra Danilova; her champagne personality and his good looks and charisma combined to stunning effect. This was especially true in such ballets as Léonide Massine's Le Beau Danube and especially Gâité Parisienne. But Franklin also danced...
Frederic Franklin, who has died aged 98, was one of the best loved figures in the dance world. Always genial, always helpful, he possessed a razor-sharp memory of all the ballets he had appeared in. Franklin played an important part in the preservation of many early ballets by George Balanchine, and in 2002 was able to reconstruct episodes from Devil's Holiday, a ballet created by Frederick Ashton in 1939, never revived since and never seen on stage by Ashton.
Franklin, known as Freddie, was a major star of the post-Diaghilev Ballets Russes, forming a memorable and long-lasting partnership with the ballerina Alexandra Danilova; her champagne personality and his good looks and charisma combined to stunning effect. This was especially true in such ballets as Léonide Massine's Le Beau Danube and especially Gâité Parisienne. But Franklin also danced...
- 5/7/2013
- by Judith Cruickshank
- The Guardian - Film News
New York -- Frederic Franklin, a British-born dancer who helped popularize modern ballet in the United States and performed until his mid-90s, has died. He was 98.
Franklin succumbed to complications from pneumonia on Saturday at a Manhattan hospital, according to his lifelong partner, William Ausman.
Franklin last appeared with the American Ballet Theatre at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts three years ago – as a friar in "Romeo and Juliet."
"He gave me my first job, and I gave him his last," said the company's artistic director, Kevin McKenzie. "He was a seminal figure in the ballet world."
McKenzie said the amazingly energetic native of Liverpool, England, remembered the greatest 20th century dance moves, starting with Serge Diaghilev and the Ballets Russe de Monte Carlo. He toured the United States with them in the 1950s.
"He had a muscle memory," McKenzie said.
Choreographers including George Balanchine relied on...
Franklin succumbed to complications from pneumonia on Saturday at a Manhattan hospital, according to his lifelong partner, William Ausman.
Franklin last appeared with the American Ballet Theatre at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts three years ago – as a friar in "Romeo and Juliet."
"He gave me my first job, and I gave him his last," said the company's artistic director, Kevin McKenzie. "He was a seminal figure in the ballet world."
McKenzie said the amazingly energetic native of Liverpool, England, remembered the greatest 20th century dance moves, starting with Serge Diaghilev and the Ballets Russe de Monte Carlo. He toured the United States with them in the 1950s.
"He had a muscle memory," McKenzie said.
Choreographers including George Balanchine relied on...
- 5/6/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
New York City’s theater world is home to many awards honoring stage veterans, but the Clive Barnes Award seeks to recognize the accomplishments of theater’s newest stars. With the awards ceremony slated for the Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center on Monday, Dec. 10, the 2012 Clive Barnes Award nominees in the acting category include Joaquina Kalukango, Derek Klena, Rob McClure, and Stephen Tyrone Williams. For dance, the contenders are the New York City Ballet’s Lauren Lovette and Steven Melendez, and Dance Theater of Harlem’s Ashley Murphy. The winners will be announced during the ceremony and New York Post theater writer Michael Reidel will serve as host for the evening. This year’s presenters include Paloma Herrera and Frederic Franklin. Named after her late husband, critic and dance writer Clive, Valerie Taylor Barnes formed the Clive Barnes Foundation in 2009. A former Royal Ballet soloist, Taylor Barnes sought to...
- 12/7/2012
- backstage.com
On Monday, December 10th at 230pm, with an audience of 300 in attendance, the winners of the 3rd annual Clive Barnes Awards will be announced. With Michael Reidel serving as host, the presenters this year include Frederic Franklin, Cbe, Paloma Herrera, and Maya Johansen Bernes.The Clive Barnes Foundation have previously announced the nominees for the 2012 Clive Barnes Awards, a distinguished annual honor recognizing the work of young actors and dancers in New York City. This years' nominees for theatre are Joaquina Kalukango for her performance in Signature Theatre Company's production of Katori Hall's Hurt Village, Derek Klena for his performance in Second Stage Theatre's production of Dogfight, directed by Joe Mantello, Rob McClure for his performance in Chaplin, now in performances at the Barrymore Theatre, and Stephen Tyrone Williams for his performance in Signature Theatre Company's production of Athol Fugard's My Children, My Africa. For dance, the nominees...
- 12/7/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
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