Uploaded June 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

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'Checkmate' was choreographed by Ninette de Valois in 1937 to music composed by Arthur Bliss. It was created for the Vic-Wells Ballet.

The original cast was comprised of:

• June Brae (Black Queen)
• Harold Turner (Red Knight)
• Michael Somes (Black Knight)
• Frederick Ashton (Death)
• Robert Helpmann (Red King)
• Pamela May (Red Queen)
• Margot Fonteyn (leader of the Black Pawns)
• Annabel Farjeon (a pawn)