Irina Baronova

Jul 2 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

SHE was known as one of the three famous "Baby Ballerinas", renowned for her graceful and sophisticated style, which belied her age.

Coming from humble beginnings, Irina Baronova, who died at the weekend, was not quite 13 when she was recruited into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Dancing with them for almost a decade, she met Hitler, danced with Edward, Prince of Wales, had tea with Nijinsky and counted Lawrence Olivier and Vivien Leigh among her closest friends.

Born in St. Petersburg, Irina’s family later moved to Paris, where she became a pupil of the great Russian prima ballerina, Olga Preobrajenska. At 12, Irina was scouted by the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and was barely in her teens when she became a celebrated star.

Described as a sensation, she danced with various Ballets Russes companies and though a tiny figure could captivate the most demanding audience with her spirit, grace and skill.

At 18 Irina eloped with her manager, who was twice her age, and was made prima ballerina at the New York Theatre Ballet where he worked.

Sadly by her mid-20s problems were mounting in Irina’s personal life and the critics were cruel. She turned to acting starring in four movies: Florian (1940), Yolanda (1943), Train of Events (1949) and A Toast to Love (1951). She also appeared in the musical Bullet in the Ballet and the comedy Black Eyes in 1946.

Also that year she met Cecil Tennant, a wealthy theatrical agent. They married in 1948, and at his command she renounced the theatre and devoted herself to being his wife. Although no longer working professionally, she felt Cecil was her soul mate and described this time, living in Surrey with their two daughters and son, as the happiest in her life.

Tragically in 1967, Tennant was killed in a road accident. Irina was devastated and retired to Switzerland to renew her relationship with her first husband Gerry Sevastianov. They lived together until his death in 1971, when she returned to England and began teaching ballet.

She then moved to Australia to live with her daughter and in 1999 staged Les Sylphides for the Australian Ballet. She recalled her life in the film documentary Ballet Russes and published her autobiography Irina: Ballet, Life and Loves in 2005.

She is survived by her two daughters and son.

Irina Baronova, ballerina and author born March 13 1919; died June 28 2008