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Piccadilly Circus to Gravesend

At Covent Garden鈥檚 Royal Ballet School, Michael Portillo hears how in 1909 a Russian ballet company took London by storm.

Michael Portillo hits the West End to explore an exotic store, which was a favourite among Edwardian ladies. At Covent Garden鈥檚 Royal Ballet School he hears how in 1909 a Russian ballet company took London by storm and how its prima ballerina inspired the school鈥檚 founding choreographer.

Leaving the capital from Charing Cross, Michael heads for Dartford in Kent, where he discovers the origins of netball and gymslips at the North Kent College. He finishes this leg of his journey from Warwick to Rye on the Thames at Gravesend, where he is impressed by the pilots of the Port of London Authority, founded in the early 20th century.

29 minutes

Clip

Music Played

  • Three Drives

    Deep Sea

  • Belle and Sebastian

    Beautiful

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Michael Portillo
Series Editor Alison Kreps
Director Cassie Farrell

Broadcasts

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