Niels Bjørn Larsen (15 October 1913 in Copenhagen – 13 March 2003) was a Danish ballet dancer, choreographer and balletmaster. He was admitted to the Royal Danish Ballet school in 1920 and debuted in a production of '' Gudindernes Strid'' in 1933. In 1942 was promoted to soloist and remained with the Royal Danish Ballet until 1986. In the beginning of the 1930s Larsen toured Europe and the US with the Swiss mime Trudi Schoop. This, together with a study trip to France, England and the US, laid the ground for his great career as a mime and character dancer, a career in world class. Larsen was balletmaster at the Royal Danish Theatre during two periods, 1951–56 and 1961–65. From 1956 to 1980 he was artistic leader of the Pantomime Theatre at

Tivoli Tivoli may refer to: * Tivoli, Lazio, a town in Lazio, Italy, known for historic sites; the inspiration for other places named Tivoli Buildings * Tivoli (Baltimore, Maryland), a mansion built about 1855 * Tivoli Building (Cheyenne, Wyoming), a ...

. As choreographer he made ballets on the Royal Danish Theatre, the Pantomime Theatre and at other theatres, as well as in film. He documented performances from the Royal Danish Ballet from 1950. Larsen was a Knight of the 1st Class in the

Order of the Dannebrog The Order of the Dannebrog ( da, Dannebrogordenen) is a Danish order of chivalry instituted in 1671 by Christian V. Until 1808, membership in the order was limited to fifty members of noble or royal rank, who formed a single class known a ...

. He married pianist Elvi Henriksen on 13 August 1946, with whom he had a daughter,

Dinna Bjørn Dinna Bjørn (born 14 February 1947) is a Danish ballet dancer and choreographer. She has specialized dancing and directing the ballets of August Bournonville. Bjørn has also created five Hans Christian Andersen ballets for the Pantomime Theatre ...

; he is buried in Bispebjerg Kirkegård.gravsted.dk
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References

External links

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Den Store Danske Encyklopædi: ''Den Kongelige Ballet''

* ttps://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/23/arts/dance-making-the-most-of-the-least-glamorous-roles.html NY Times; Making the Most of the Least Glamorous Roles; Eric V. Copage, 23 May 1999
NY Times; Blonde Marie' Ballet Opens; 28 April 1937

* [https://www.nytimes.com/1956/09/17/archives/ballet-royal-danish-troupe-bows-greeted-by-a-packed-house-at-the.html NY Times; Royal Danish Troupe Bows; Greeted by a Packed House at the 'Met' 'Sylphide,' 'Graduation Ball' on Program; John Martin, 17 September 1956] {{DEFAULTSORT:Larsen, Niels Bjorn 1913 births 2003 deaths Danish male ballet dancers Ballet choreographers Royal Danish Ballet dancers Ballet masters Danish mimes Knights First Class of the Order of the Dannebrog