Park, Merle (1937–)

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Park, Merle (1937–)

Rhodesian ballet dancer, teacher and director. Name variations: Dame Merle Park. Born Oct 8, 1937, in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe); trained with Betty Lamb in Rhodesia; m. James Monahan, 1965 (div. 1970); m. Sidney Bloch, 1970 (died 2000); children: (1st m.) 1.

Moved to England (1951); joined Royal Ballet (1954) and performed with that company throughout career; promoted to principal (1959), danced in classical repertory works, including La Fille Mal Gardée, Coppélia, Cinderella and La Bayadère; created role of Celestial for Tudor's Shadowplay (1967), Countess Marie Larish for Macmillan's Mayerling (1978) and title role for his Isadora (1981); opened her own school (1977); while still senior ballerina of the Royal Ballet, became a director there (1983), serving until 1998. Named Commander of Order of British Empire (1974) and Dame Commander of Order of British Empire (1986); received Queen Elizabeth Award (1982).