#bar aux folies-bergere

[margotfonteyns]

Elizabeth Schooling in Ninette de Valois' ballet Bar aux Folies-Bergère, c. 1937

The ballet was created in 1934 after a suggestion by Marie Rambert's husband, Ashley Dukes, who had frequently remarked on the resemblance between Schooling and the barmaid depicted in Manet's famous painting. Despite serving as the inspiration for the ballet, Schooling was initially considered too inexperienced for the part, which was given instead to Pearl Argyle. When Argyle left the company, however, Schooling seized her moment and flawlessly embodied the role, being described in one review as 'an almost exact replica of the wistful blonde lady behind the bar'.