Christopher Gable
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Notes
Appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1996
Biography
Famed British ballet star Christopher Gable made an uncommonly successful transition to acting, performing significantly in both film and theater. The lanky, blond, London-born dancer began his career on scholarship to the Royal Ballet School. Upon graduation in 1956. Gable began working in opera ballet with contemporary Lynn Seymour. The two then joined the Royal Ballet Touring company, and in 1960 he won his first big stage role in "The Invitation," cast opposite Seymour at her recommendation. The following year, they were again paired in the premiere of "The Two Pigeons." While with the touring company of the Royal Ballet, Gable danced leading roles in "The Sleeping Beauty," "Swan Lake," "La Fille Mal Gardee" and "Sylvia." 1963 saw Gable transfer from touring to the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, performing in productions of "Coppelia," "Giselle," "Daphnis and Chloe" and "Cinderella." The Gable and Seymour pairing became known as a powerfully complementary team whose exceptional dancing proficiency was matched by their strong acting skills. In this capacity they were cast as Romeo and Juliet in MacMillan's 1965 ballet production of Shakespeare's play. While the roles were created by Gable and Seymour, they were removed from the premiere cast and replaced by Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, more well-known dancers considered to be bigger box-office draws. Gable went on to get rave reviews for his work in subsequent performances of the ballet, and the next year he had a successful run as the Joker in John Cranko's ballet "Card Game."
After leaving the Royal Ballet because of chronic problems with arthritis in his feet, Gable tried his hand at acting, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. He performed in productions of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Hamlet" as well as various roles in theaters in Oxford, Manchester and Bristol. In 1970, Gable appeared in Ken Russell's adaptation of D H Lawrence's "Women In Love," marking the first of many collaborations with the renowned director. He had starring roles in "The Music Lovers" and the more popular "The Boy Friend" (both 1971), both with Russell acting as producer and director. Gable is probably best remembered by moviegoers as Tony, the boyfriend of Twiggy's Polly in the latter, a film which showcased his talents for singing and dancing as well as acting. He was also featured in "The Slipper and the Rose" (1976), a musical retelling of the Cinderella story, starring Richard Chamberlain. In 1977, he appeared on US television as Pierre in the NBC TV movie adaptation of Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." He returned to the small screen in 1984, acting in the popular syndicated miniseries "A Woman of Substance" and reteamed with Ken Russell for the thriller "The Lair of the White Worm" (1987) and another D H Lawrence adaptation, "The Rainbow" (1988).
In 1982, Gable opened the Central School of Ballet in Clerkenwell, England. He was brought back to the stage in the role of painter L S Lowry in Northern Ballet Theatre's production of "A Simple Man" in 1987. Gable later took over as director of the Northern Ballet Theatre, breathing new life into the company with productions such as "Dracula" and "Don Quixote." NBT's production of "A Christmas Carol," with Gable as artistic director, was aired on A&E in 1994. He was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1996, and continued to work with the Northern Ballet Theatre in a creative and directorial capacity through 1998, when illness forced him to leave the position.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Dance (Feature Film)
Producer (Special)
Cast (Short)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1956
Began working in Covent Garden Opera Ballet with contemporary Lynn Seymour after graduating from the Royal Ballet School
1957
Danced in the Royal Ballet touring company
1960
Won his first big stage role in "The Invitation" cast opposite Seymour at her recommendation
1961
Again danced with Seymour in the premiere of "The Two Pigeons"
1963
Transferred to the Royal Ballet at Covent Garden, taking lead roles in "Coppelia", "Giselle", "Daphnis and Chloe" and "Cinderella"
1965
For the premiere performance of "Romeo and Juliet", he and Seymour were replaced by the more well-known Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn
1966
Had a successful run as the Joker in John Cranko's "Card Game"
1967
Left the Royal Ballet, citing problems with arthritic feet
1969
Appeared in Ken Russell's adaptation of "Women in Love"
1971
Had starring roles in "The Music Lovers" and "The Boy Friend", both films produced and directed by Russell
1976
Featured in "The Slipper and the Rose", a musical retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale, starring Richard Chamberlain
1977
Played Pierre in the NBC TV-movie adaptation of Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"
1982
Opened the Central School of Ballet with Ann Stannard in Clerkenwell, England
1984
Acted in the popular syndicated miniseries "A Woman of Substance"
1987
Played the painter L S Lowry in Gillian Lynne's Northern Ballet Theatre production "A Simple Man" on stage and on British television
1988
Appeared in the Ken Russell thriller "The Lair of the White Worm"
1989
Worked again with Russell, acting in "The Rainbow"
1994
Was artistic director for the Northern Ballet Theatre's production of "A Christmas Carol"; production aired on A&E in the USA
1996
Appointed Commander of the British Empire
1998
Dropped out of NBT due to illness, passing duties on to associate director Michael Pink
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Bibliography
Notes
Appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1996
