Background
Pamela May was born Doris May, in the city of San Fernando, Trinidad, on 30 May 1917.
Pamela May was born Doris May, in the city of San Fernando, Trinidad, on 30 May 1917.
At the age of 16, she progressed to the Sadler"s Wells Ballet School, where she studied under the direction of Ninette de Valois.
Most noted as one of the earliest members The Royal Ballet, she was regarded as a versatile dancer. Dancing all the established 19th century classical repertoire, and creating roles in new ballets by Ninette de Valois and Frederick Ashton. After retiring from professional ballet, she became a teacher at the Royal Ballet School, and also served as vice-president of the Royal Academy of Dance.
The family returned to London when May was 4 years old.
May began studying ballet with Freda Grant. lieutenant was also around this time that she adopted the professional name Pamela May, after de Valois announced in rehearsal, that a role she was to perform could not be danced by someone named Doris.
Her new name was printed in the programme for the ballet without her knowledge. May performed as a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet until 1952.
At that time she became a character dancer and continued performing with the company until she retired from the stage completely in 1982.
After she retired as a principal dancer, de Valois invited May to become a teacher at the Royal Ballet School, a position which she held from 1954 until 1977. Checkmate - The Red Queen - Choreographed by: Ninette de Valois
Les Patineurs - Girl in Red - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
A Wedding Boquet - Violet - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
Horoscope - The Moon - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
Dante Sonata - Untitled Role - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
The Wanderer - Untitled Pas de Deux - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
The Prospect Before Us - Mlle Théodore - Choreographed by: Ninette de Valois
Orpheus and Eurydice - Eurydice - Choreographed by: Ninette de Valois
Symphonic Variations - Untitled Role - Choreographed by: Frederick Ashton
Don Quixote - Golden Age Pas de Deux - Choreographed by: Ninette de Valois
Bonne-Bouche - The Mother - Choreographed by: John Cranko.
A year later in 1934, she made her debut with the Vic-Wells Ballet and was later contracted as a salaried member of the company.