Clover Roope – 1937-2019

We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of Clover Roope, ballet and contemporary dancer, choreographer and much-loved teacher at Rambert School.

Born in Bristol in 1937, Clover initially trained in classical ballet and joined the Royal Ballet in the 1950s. She later joined Western Ballet Theatre, where she danced in Walter Gore’s Street Games, Ray Powell’s One in Five, and Kenneth Macmillan’s Valse Eccentrique, and choreographed numerous works. Clover then relocated to the US where she trained at the studios of Martha Graham, Margaret Craske, and Antony Tudor and eventually danced with the Martha Graham Company. Clover also appeared in Helen McGehee’s After Possession and in Jacob’s Pillow opposite Christopher Lyall.

Returning to the UK in the 1970s, Clover taught at The Place and latterly at Rambert School, where her students included our now Principal Amanda Britton. Amanda recalls, “Clover was one of the most intense, inspirational and passionate teachers of my era at Rambert School. A brilliant genius, she was the person who inspired me to be a contemporary dancer.”

Clover later retrained as a physiotherapist and dedicated her time to helping dancers overcome injury to further their careers.

Clover’s family have extended an invite to her funeral for those who would like to attend. It will be held on Wednesday 29th May at 3.20pm, at Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond, TW9 4EN. Following the service we are honoured to host those attending at Rambert School’s Weston Studio, Twickenham, TW1 1QN, from 4.30pm for a time of remembering Clover with her friends and family.