The Complete Prose of T. S. Eliot: The Critical EditionVol. 6: The War Years, 1940-1946

Russian Ballet. To the Editor of The Times

The Times(10 Dec 1941) 5

Sir, – I should like to support the Poet Laureate’s plea for the recognition of the importance of Russian ballet, and his suggestion that we should be given the opportunity to see both new ballets and new dancers from Russia. ¹ The first step towards such a desirable end, surely, should be to obtain official recognition of the importance of the ballet in this country, in the form of exemption, at least for the British dancers of the Sadler’s Wells company, from other forms of national service. ² It would not be well for us to appear less enlightened than our Allies in our appreciation of the importance of this art, however freely we acknowledge their pre-eminence in it.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant, t. s. eliot 24, Russell Square, W.C.1