Georgina Parkinson

Georgina Parkinson was born in Brighton, England and studied at The Royal Ballet School before being taken into the company in 1955. She became a Soloist in 1959 and was then promoted to Principal Dancer. She came to prominence when she created the title role in Andree Howard’s La Belle Dame Sans Merci and with her performances as the Gypsy Girl in The Two Pigeons and the Wife in Kenneth MacMillan’s The Invitation.
Known for her strong classical technique and great dramatic abilities, Miss Parkinson has been particularly noted for her performances as the leading women in The Song of the Earth, La Garconne, the elusive figure in blue in Bronislava Nijinska’s Les Biches, as well as Juliet in MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet, and Odette-Odile in Swan Lake.
Her other roles included Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet; the Wife in Jerome Robbins’ The Concert; Winifred Norbury in Sir Frederick Ashton’s Enigma Variations, the second movement in Monotones and Chloe in John Cranko’s production of Daphnis and Chloe with the Stuttgart Ballet, partnered by Erik Bruhn as Daphnis. Her last role with the company was the Empress Elisabeth in MacMillan’s Mayerling, marking the end of her career with The Royal Ballet.
Miss Parkinson was appointed Ballet Mistress with American Ballet Theatre in 1978. In addition to her duties as Ballet Mistress, she performs the roles of the Stepmother in Fall River Legend, Madame in Manon, Lady Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, the Queen Mother in Swan Lake, the Greedy One in Three Virgins and a Devil, and created the role of Mrs. Harriman in Twyla Tharp’s Everlast.