2012/06/23VISUAL and PERFORMING ARTS Leave a comment Dame Ninette de Valois, February 1988. Dame Ninette de Valois, founder of the Royal Ballet, during her 90th birthday celebrations in London in 1988. Under her directorship the Lower Ballet School moved to the White Lodge in Richmond Park in 1955. Share this:ShareEmailPrintLike Loading... Related balletNinette de ValoisRichmond-upon-Thames