| Collecting Strand | National Resource Centre for Dance |
| Level | Collection |
| Ref No | LM |
| Title | Ludmila Mlada (Ludi Horenstein) Archive |
| Date | 1925-1970s |
| Extent | 6 linear metres |
| Name of Creator | Mlada; Ludmila (1918-2003) |
| Description | The collection primarily relates to Mlada's training and performance work. It includes: personal papers, comprising notes, diaries and correspondence (including letters from Sigurd Leeder and letters written by Mlada during a tour with Ballet Rambert in 1946-1947); photographs; posters and theatre programmes; press cuttings; music and Labanotation scores; and a collection of audio recordings for use in performances, much of which was specifically composed for Mlada (including compositions by pianists Joseph Brand, Thomas Henderson and Anthony Bowles). |
| Arrangement | Material arranged at time of cataloguing according to the format-based classification scheme which was then in use by the National Resource Centre for Dance. |
| Administrative History | Ludmila Mlada (1918-2003) was a dancer and dance educator. Born Dorothy Rosemary Olga Ludmila, Mlada used three names professionally: Rosemary Young, Ludi Horenstein and Ludmila Mlada. She studied at Marie Rambert's school in the late 1930s and performed with Ballet Rambert on tours to Europe (1946) and America (1947). She also danced with the Ballet Jooss in the 1940s and trained with Sigurd Leeder from 1947-1950, also going on to perform with the Studio Group.
Many of Mlada's solo recitals featured dramatic characters, including Lucifer and Priestess. Leeder choreographed many dances for her such as Galop, Nocturne, and Figura Tragica. Other choreographers who worked with Mlada included Buddy Bradley and Jane Winearls.
As an educator, Mlada additionally taught at, amongst other places, the Leeder School, the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art, and the Guildford School of Music and Drama. |
| Language | English |
| French |
| German |
| Hebrew |
| Polish |
| Related Material | The archive of Mlada's father, Robert Fitzgibbon Young, is held by Lancaster University Archives [collection reference: RFY]. |
| Custodial History | The collection was generated by Mlada over the course of her life and career. After her death, the collection was offered to the National Resource Centre for Dance, who reviewed the materials and selected for preservation those likely to be of lasting historical and research value.
The collection was catalogued as part of the Pioneer Women: early British modern dancers project at the University of Surrey.
The collection was gifted to the National Resource Centre for Dance in 2003 by the executors of Mlada's estate. An additional deposit of material followed in 2004. |