Dolin << DOH lihn >> Anton (1904-1983), became the first world-famous British male dancer. He was partner to many great ballerinas, particularly Alicia Markova. Together they helped start English ballet. Dolin helped form and develop many companies, including what is now the Royal Ballet, the London Festival Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre. He also led his own touring companies.
Dolin was born Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay on July 27, 1904, in Sussex, England. He became the only English-born male dancer to star with Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. Dolin enjoyed his greatest triumphs with Markova in his version of Giselle in the United States. Dolin’s best-known work as a choreographer (creator of dances) is his staging of the ballet Le Pas de Quatre. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 1981, and he became known as Sir Anton Dolin. He died on Nov. 25, 1983.
