Rita Dow Ballet Bequest

This material is held atRoyal Conservatoire of Scotland Archives & Collections

  • Reference
    • GB 2607 RD000-682
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1920s-1990s
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 3 boxes

Scope and Content

The Rita Dow archive collection includes:

  • personal papers / letters
  • dancing qualification certificates
  • choreography
  • publicity photographs
  • contracts of employment
  • press clippings
  • other personal ephemera

Administrative / Biographical History

Born in Edinburgh, Rita Dow studied classical ballet first at McLennan's Academy of Dancing in Edinburgh (1928) and later at the Royal Academy of Dance in London (1932-4 & 1938). She received accreditation from both the Society of Operatic Dancing of Great Britain (1934) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (1939). Her career saw her involvement in a number of productions for the Howard & Wyndham Ltd. company (1941 - 1947), perhaps most significantly the "Half-Past Eight Show" starring alongside Harry Gordon. Latterly she became Ballet Mistress and Head Girl for the same company.

Access Information

Open. Appointment necessary. Email: archives@rcs.ac.uk

Custodial History

Donated in 1999 by a relative from the Lord Penrose estate