The Royal Ballet is Britain's largest ballet company and currently resides at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. The company has more than 85 dancers and produces an even split of classic and modern ballets.
It was founded in 1931 as the Vic-Wells Ballet Company by Ninette de Valois and was initially based at the old vic theatre. In 1946 de Valois the company moved to Covent Garden to celebrate the re-opening of the Royal Opera House after the second world war. The company was granted a Royal Charter, and consequently adopted its new name, in 1956.
The Royal Ballet is closely tied to the two schools it runs in London: a Lower School for students aged 11-16 near Richmond Park and an Upper School for those between 16 and 18 at Barons Court.