Obituary: former Sadler's Wells soloist Pauline Clayden, dance photographer Elliott Franks
- Ikuko
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Pauline Clayden, a former Soloist of the Sadler's Wells Ballet, the forerunner of The Royal Ballet, passed away on 21st July 2026 in Salisbury, the United Kingdom, according to The New York Times' article published on 17th August. The article carried a footage of her performing The Sleeping Beauty. Prior to this article, The Royal Ballet School paid tribute to her on 2nd August on its Facebook. The school said she was a Soloist with the company from 1942 to 1956. "She had roles created on her in Ninette de Valois’ Promenade, Robert Helpmann’s Miracle in the Gorbals, Frederick Ashton’s Tiresias and Cinderella, John Cranko’s Bonne-Bouche and Andrée Howard’s Veneziana. Pauline was also often Margot Fonteyn’s understudy," the school said.
Dance photographer Elliott Franks passed away at his home in London, the UK, Gramilano reported on 15th August. He was 62 years old. He had worked as a professional photographer since 1999. Apart from dance photography, he took political pictures and contributed to major news outlets. Gramilano published a image gallery of his work.