Fifield, Elaine (1930–1999)

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Fifield, Elaine (1930–1999)

Australian-born ballet dancer. Born Oct 28, 1930, in Sydney, Australia; died May 31, 1999, in Perth, Australia; trained at Sadler's Wells School; m. John Lanchbery (musician, div.); m. Les Farley (plantation owner), 1962; children: (1st m.) Margaret Lanchbery; (2nd. m.) Mary-Louise and Joydie Farley.

Made stage debut at the Embassy, Peterborough, dancing the Polka in Façade (1947); with Sadler's Wells (1948–52), debuted as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake, then created the principal parts in Tritsch-Tratsch, Selina, Parures, Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Etudes, Pineapple Poll, Sirènes, Blood Wedding and Reflection; made NY debut (1952) and toured Germany, Holland, Belgium and Canada; moved to Covent Garden Company (1954), dancing in Frederick Ashton's Homage to the Queen, Madame Chrysanthème and Birthday Offering; became prima ballerina; returned to Australia to join the Borovansky Ballet, forerunner of the Australian Ballet (1957); briefly retired from dance (1958), settling in Papua New Guinea; appeared as principal artist with the Australian Ballet (1964–66, 1969–71), in featured roles in Rudolf Nureyev's Raymonda and Peggy Van Praagh's Carnaval.

See also autobiography In My Shoes (1967).