1952 London’s Festival Ballet Programme Empire Theatre Sunderland Vintage Ballet Memorabilia

This original 1952 London’s Festival Ballet programme from the Empire Theatre, Sunderland, is a wonderful early example of British ballet ephemera. Featuring a classic red‑curtain cover design and priced in pre‑decimal currency, it reflects the elegance and theatrical style of post‑war touring ballet companies. With Anton Dolin listed as Artistic Director, this programme comes from a formative period in the company’s history, when Festival Ballet was rapidly gaining national recognition.

Printed exclusively for the Autumn 1952 season, programmes like this were produced in limited numbers and sold only to theatre‑goers, making surviving copies increasingly collectable. Inside, it offers a snapshot of the repertoire, dancers and creative team during a time when ballet was becoming more accessible to audiences across the UK.

A beautiful and historically significant item for collectors of ballet memorabilia, mid‑century theatre programmes, or anyone interested in the early development of what would later become the English National Ballet.

Festival Ballet and the Post‑War Ballet Boom

Founded in 1950 by Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, London’s Festival Ballet quickly established itself as one of Britain’s leading touring ballet companies. The early 1950s were a defining era, marked by ambitious regional tours that brought classical ballet to audiences far beyond London’s major theatres.

The Autumn 1952 tour reflects this mission, showcasing the company’s commitment to high‑quality performance and broad public engagement. Programmes from this period are valued not only for their artistic content but also for their connection to Dolin’s influential leadership and the company’s early identity.

This Sunderland programme is a tangible piece of that story — a mid‑century artefact from a company on the rise, capturing the grace, ambition and cultural optimism of British ballet in the post‑war years.