CriticalDance Forum

This story broke yesterday in the gutter press newspaper "The Sun". Given that paper's past history of poor and distorted reporting, we decided not to post a link to the article. However, the Indie is a srious paper so we feel happy to link to this piece, although it looks as though this story has a few more turns to come:

Rippon's future in doubt over bullying row at ballet
By Louise Jury for The Independent

The future of the broadcaster Angela Rippon as chairman of the English National Ballet was in doubt last night after her deputy accused her of bullying staff.

Insiders of the dance world claimed senior management and some members of the board at the company had become increasingly disenchanted with Ms Rippon, whose strident tone had caused widespread unhappiness.

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<small>[ 09 September 2003, 03:37 AM: Message edited by: Stuart Sweeney ]</small>

Being school-mistressy is the problem? Working in the hard environment of a US investment bank, I wonder if school-mistressy behaviour justifies dismissing one's chairman. I'll have to remember that.

Angela Rippon defies vendetta at the ballet
By Dalya Alberge for The Times


ANGELA RIPPON, the television presenter, is the victim of a vendetta to force her to step down as chairman of English National Ballet, it was claimed yesterday.
Accusations that the former BBC newsreader was due to stand down because staff could no longer tolerate her bullying were vigorously denied by the company.

Reports in two newspapers alleged that insiders at the company were upset by her “aggressive outbursts” and “strident” manner. The accusations were denied by Christopher Cowdray, the acting deputy chairman, who paid tribute to Ms Rippon’s contribution to the company and her passion for dance.

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