Elaine Fifield

Elaine Fifield (28 October 1930 - 11 May 1999) was an Australian ballerina, perhaps best known for creating the title role in John Cranko's comic ballet Pineapple Poll in 1951.[1]

Elaine Fifield
Born	28 October 1930 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	11 May 1999 Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Occupation	Ballerina
Spouse(s)	John Lanchbery Les Farley
Children	3 daughters

Early life

Elaine Fifield was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 28 October 1930.[2] She trained at the Scully School and with Leon Kelloway, in Australia.[1] In 1945, she won a Royal Academy of Dance scholarship, and trained at the Royal Ballet School.[1]

Career

In 1947, Fifield joined Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet, and in 1954 moved to The Royal Ballet.[1] In 1957, she returned to Australia and joined the Borovansky Ballet, which was to form the basis of The Australian Ballet.[1] In 1964, she returned as a principal artist with The Australian Ballet, having been invited to do so by its artistic director, Peggy van Praagh.[1]

Personal life

In 1952, she married the musician John Lanchbery, they had a daughter, and the marriage ended in divorce. In 1960, she married 1960 plantation owner Les Farley, and they had two daughters.[2]

References

1. Clarke, Mary (31 May 1999). "Elaine Fifield". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
2. "Obituary: Elaine Fifield". independent.co.uk. Retrieved 28 July 2018.