Christopher Gable

Christopher Michael Gable was born in London on 13 March 1940. He studied at the Royal Ballet School and joined the Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet in 1957. He became a principal dancer in 1961 and performed many roles, including Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, Mercury in Orpheus in the Underworld, and Colas in La fille mal gardée. He often partnered with Lynn Seymour, who was his muse and inspiration. He left the Royal Ballet in 1967 due to a chronic rheumatoid condition in his feet and pursued a career in acting. He appeared in several films and television productions directed by Ken Russell, such as Women in Love, The Music Lovers, The Boy Friend, The Lair of the White Worm, and The Rainbow. He also acted in other projects, such as The Slipper and the Rose, The Devil's Crown, Doctor Who, A Woman of Substance, and Wagner. In 1982, he founded the Central School of Ballet with Ann Stannard, where he taught and mentored many young dancers. In 1987, he became the artistic director of Northern Ballet Theatre, where he transformed the company into a nationally acclaimed ensemble. He created and staged many productions, such as Swan Lake, A Christmas Carol, The Brontes, The Amazing Adventure of Don Quixote, Dracula, Giselle, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He also received many awards and honors for his contributions to dance and theatre, such as the CBE in 1996. He was married to dancer Carole Needham from 1961 until his death in 1998. They had two children, a son and a daughter. He died of cancer near Halifax, Yorkshire, on 23 October 1998 at the age of 58. He was buried at Luddenden Cemetery.