GENÉE

In 1895, she became the principal dancer of the Royal Danish Ballet in Copenhagen. Subsequently, in 1896, she danced with the Berlin Royal Opera Ballet and the Munich Opera Ballet. The Edwardian period probably represents the lowest point in the history of English ballet. It consisted of short dances in variety programs. Genée did much to raise the status of ballet by reviving earlier productions and creating an audience for more elaborate works. She was versatile enough to dance light musical hall roles and in more severe classical roles. Slender and elegant, she was often described as like Dresden china. In one respect she was very backward-looking, preferring a style of costume that belonged to the 1830s. From April 1905, Genée danced in 400 performances of the musical play The Little Michus at Daly's Theatre.