Michael Keegan-Dolan
(Death and the Fool)

Born in Dublin 1969 and trained at the Central School of Ballet under the direction of Christopher Gable. After graduating he formed "Cartoon Dance Theatre", performing at The Place and Lilian Baylis Theatre, London. After the death of Sir Kenneth MacMillan in 1992 he was invited by Director Nick Hytner to complete the choreography of Carousel with dancer Simon Rice.

Michael's dance engagements include work with the Royal Opera Ballet. The Kosh. Pilobolus. Dance Theatre of Ireland. English National Opera. Second Stride Dance. Carousel at The Royal National Theatre and "Dream Curley" in the National Tour of Oklahoma.

Michael's choreographies include West Ham Sandwich and Yes I Can for English National Ballet Education Department. Kiss Kiss, What Fools These Mortals Be, for Ballet Central. In 1996 he choreographed David Alden's production of Handel's Ariodante for English National Opera and Sir Peter Hall's Oedipus Plays for The Royal National Theatre.

In 1997 he founded "Fabulous Dance Theatre" choreographing and directing Sunday Lunch, and in 1998 he choreographed David McVicar's new production of Massinet's Manon for English National Opera. Figaro's Wedding for Grange Park Opera, The Good People for Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre.

He participated in the ICPCC (International Course for Professional Choreographers and Composers) in 1992 under the direction of Robert Cohan. Michael was awarded The Digital Scholarship 1988/90, a scholarship to study at Teatro Nuovo Torino in Italy. The Lankelly and Hambland Foundation Scholarship 1990/91 and in 1995 nominated for the Paul Hamlyn Choreographic Award.

Recent productions include David McVicar's new production of Idomeneo for De Vlaamse Opera Belgium. English National Opera's production of Ariodante for Bayerische Staatsoper, Munich. Alcina, a new production for English National Opera and English National Opera's production of Manon for Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa and Dallas Opera, Texas.

Michael was one of the three shortlisted choreographers who created the ballet "Death And the Fool" for the first Peter Darrell Choreographic Award in 1998.