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The RAD Heritage archive dates from 1921- the first year of the Association’s operations and these early records include notes and reports for the earliest AGM’s as well as some examinations correspondence and certificates signed by all the original members of the committee from the very first examinations sessions on 9 and 10 May, 1921.

The 1920s was a period of intense activity including development of both the Major and Children’s examination syllabi; the first public performances by members of the Association, the purchase of our first premises; the introduction of the first scholarships; the first overseas examinations and our first Royal Patron. This period was well documented in the Dancing Times but is supported by some early original documents in the archive.

In the 1930s activities continued to expand and the introduction of the Gazette in November 1930 meant that much was documented and is available in published form. Archive material from this period is concentrated on the setting up of a Grand Council, petitioning for a Royal Charter and establishing the byelaws.

From then on, the main records series and types of records preserved in the archive are:

• Premises & Buildings
• Minutes from various committees and sub-committee meetings
• Annual reports and associated documents
• Examinations syllabi material (publications)
• Syllabus development material
• Artistic projects files
• Programmes from special events, awards and performances
• Teacher training programme course materials & brochures
• Photographs & video footage
• Overseas development
• Regional activities

These include the significant, personal collections of RAD founders Adeline Genée, Phyllis Bedells and Philip Richardson which provide further insight into the lives and careers of these important figures. The GBL Wilson photographic archive provides a unique overview of the British Ballet scene between 1940 and 1980 and includes several RAD functions and events. The author and book designer Peter L. Moldon researched extensively on Margot Fonteyn and his papers include many notes on performances, article proofs and photographs as well as the full unpublished manuscript for his stage biography on Fonteyn. Beryl Grey’s personal collection of photographs and press cuttings provide an overview of her extensive career, while less extensive personal archives include materials from early RAD Members and teachers Dorothy Chaplin, Theresa Heyman and Sissie Smith, which complement the RAD Heritage Archive. Recent acquisitions include the Dancing Times photographic archive which complements and extends the photographic coverage of the existing photo collections, and the Kenneth MacMillan archive collection documenting the life and career of one of British ballets most important and influential choreographers.

The archive contains a variety of materials – programmes, press cuttings and photographs – which provide a comprehensive record of Bedells’ professional dancing career as well as some personal papers and correspondence relating to her work for the RAD and teaching activities. The complete manuscript of her autobiography, My Dancing Days (1954), is housed alongside several other interview transcripts and scripts for radio programmes or magazine articles presenting a very detailed profile of her life and career.