Choreographer | Ashley Page

Ashley Page

Ashley Page was born in Rochester, Kent, and began his dance training locally before continuing his studies at the Royal Ballet Lower and Upper Schools. He joined The Royal Ballet in 1976, and during his formative years with the Company he collaborated closely with Sir Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, creating numerous roles in their new ballets. These experiences helped shape the deep classical pedigree he brings to all his work. He also worked with esteemed visiting choreographers, including Glen Tetley and, most notably, Richard Alston, who would play a pivotal role as a mentor in Page’s development as a choreographer.

In 1984, he was promoted to Principal Dancer and choreographed his first professional work, A Broken Set of Rules. While continuing to dance, he developed his choreographic style, creating 17 works for the Company and receiving commissions from Rambert Dance Company, the Dutch National Ballet, and others. His choreography has since been sought after by leading companies worldwide—including San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders, and Vienna State Ballet—reflecting his global appeal and stylistic versatility. Known for bold collaborations and exploring new contexts for dance, his 1994 Fearful Symmetries at Covent Garden, starring Irek Mukhamedov, became a defining work.

In 2002, after 27 years with The Royal Ballet, he became Artistic Director of Scottish Ballet. Over the next decade, he transformed it into a leading modern ballet company, creating acclaimed full-length ballets such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, The Sleeping Beauty, and Alice, alongside contemporary pieces and new commissions that revitalized the company’s profile. He premiered Guide to Strange Places with San Francisco Ballet during his final year there.

Now a freelance choreographer and opera director, he continues to work with major companies internationally. His current collaboration with The Sarasota Ballet marks a significant moment in his career: his first-ever World Premiere with the Company, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness a new creation by one of the UK’s most influential choreographers.

Page’s achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including a Time Out Award for Fearful Symmetries (1994), the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production (1995), the TMA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance (2004), and the Herald Angel Award (2005). In 2006, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to dance. Further honors include the Critics’ Circle Award, Herald Archangel Award, the De Valois Award for Outstanding Achievement from the National Dance Awards (2012), and an Honorary Degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.