What to know about Sir Frederick Ashton - Boston Ballet

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What to know about Sir Frederick Ashton

By Boston Ballet Staff

Sir Frederick Ashton

Courtesy of The Royal Opera House

One of the most relevant choreographers of the 20th century, learn about Sir Frederick Ashton’s impact on dance history below.

Chisako Oga and Yue Shi with Artists of Boston Ballet in Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella

Photo by Brooke Trisolini

Chisako Oga and Jeffrey Cirio in Frederick Ashton's The Dream

Photo by Brooke Trisolini

Founding Choreographer of The Royal Ballet, Sir Frederick Ashton is celebrated for developing the distinctive “English style” of ballet. He created a vast body of work, many of which remain central to the repertoires of major ballet companies around the world.
Legendary Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova was Ashton’s first inspiration. He saw her perform in Lima, Peru, in 1917—where he was raised—and later recalled: “Seeing her at that stage was the end of me. She injected me with her poison, and from the end of that evening I wanted to dance.”
Ashton’s choreography places strong emphasis on épaulement—the nuanced angling of the head and shoulders, beginning at the waist—a signature element detectable throughout his work.
He began ballet training relatively late, taking weekly private lessons at around age 20, against his family’s wishes. Though he lacked classical technique, he displayed remarkable musicality and stage presence, traits that would become hallmarks of his choreography.
Ashton included a signature step in many of his ballets, affectionately known as “The Fred Step.” Believed to be a personal stamp, the step is said to be inspired by a movement Pavlova performed in 1917. The sequence typically consists of: Posé en arabesque, coupé dessous, small développé à la seconde, pas de bourrée dessous, and pas de chat.

Frederick Ashton's ear for music, his eye for movement and his perception of human nature make him to ballet as William Shakespeare is to drama.

Margot Fonteyn

Viktorina Kapitonova and Artists of Boston Ballet in Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella

Photo by Liza Voll

Sir Frederick Ashton and George Balanchine—two of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century—shared a dynamic, mutually inspiring relationship. They borrowed ideas from each other, responded to one another’s work, and in doing so, helped propel 20th-century classicism in new directions.
In 1941, Ashton was called to serve in the Royal Air Force, where he was first commissioned to analyze aerial photographs and later served as an intelligence officer. He was occasionally granted leave to continue choreographing during this time.
In 1962, Ashton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, earning him the title ‘Sir.’
Ashton choreographed the whimsical and nostalgic 1971 film The Tales of Beatrix Potter and danced the role of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, alongside fellow members of The Royal Ballet.
During his lifetime, Ashton created more than 100 ballets, including iconic works such as La Fille mal gardée, Marguerite and Armand, Symphonic Variations, his version of Cinderella, and THE DREAM—which will have its Boston Ballet premiere March 19–29, 2026.

The Fred Step

Sir Frederick Ashton included a signature step in many of his ballets, affectionately known as “The Fred Step.” The sequence typically consists of: Posé en arabesque, cut underneath, small developed in the second, pas de trousse under, and pas de chat.