The energy in Janette Mulligan’s voice reveals what a vibrant dancer she was. Her enthusiasm for the whole gamut of performing shines through, from correct hair styles and clean shoes right through to an irrepressible vitality of spirit. In this interview with Patricia Linton, founder and director of Voices of British Ballet, she describes her audition for London Festival Ballet (LFB) in 1977 when the company was under the direction of Beryl Grey. The interview, which was recorded in 2006, is introduced by the dance writer and editor Deborah Weiss, who had performed alongside Mulligan when they were both members of LFB.
Janette Mulligan was born in Townsville, Australia, in 1957. She started ballet lessons with Marilyn Stratford at the age of six, later studying with Joyce Munroe, and then with Ann Roberts. She joined The Australian Ballet School in 1974. Following successful auditions for various companies, Janette briefly joined Ballet Victoria, before obtaining a contract with London Festival Ballet. Janette spent 14 years with the company, eventually becoming a senior principal dancer. She went on to have an extensive international career as a teacher, including stints as ballet mistress with the Royal Danish Ballet and Queensland Ballet. She has been a guest teacher across the globe and is now a teacher and senior faculty member of Queensland National Ballet School in Australia.
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