Princess Diana‘s close bond with her Scottish dance teacher is to be explored in a major new documentary.
Glasgow-born Anne Allan gave the late princess top-secret dance lessons for almost a decade and became one of her closest confidantes.
Over hundreds of weekly one-hour lessons at a private dance studio, teacher and pupil forged a close friendship as Diana negotiated stratospheric fame, the joy of motherhood, her crumbling marriage and her struggle with bulimia.
Glasgow-based production firm Two Rivers Media and Canadian producer Sphere Media are making a 90-minute feature documentary based on Allan’s memoir Dancing With Diana, which was published last year.
The film will chronicle the nine-year period from early 1981, when Allan served as Princess Diana’s private dance teacher.
Allan, a former ballet dancer, said: “I am thrilled that Sphere Media and Two Rivers Media have chosen to bring to screen Dancing with Diana.
“As a Glaswegian that lives in Canada, this is a very special partnership for me, that I’m so looking forward to seeing realised.
“During my time with the Princess, I was so fortunate to witness not only Diana’s profound love of dance, but a much more personal side of her.
“I hope that viewers of the documentary will appreciate this fresh look as well as discover a deeper understanding of just how extraordinary she was.”
The intimate, highly personal documentary will include never-before-seen archival material, including photographs, personal gifts and notes from the princess.
It will also feature new interviews with royal insiders, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and several of Diana’s closest friends.
Seen through the lens of Allan’s memories, the audience will be guided through Diana’s transformation from shy newlywed to global superstar.
Her lessons gave her the skill and confidence to dance in front of the world to Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl at London’s Royal Opera House, partnered by Wayne Sleep, and take to the floor with John Travolta at The White House.
Alan Clements, managing director and executive producer of Two Rivers Media, said: “This project hits all the right notes for a co-production between our companies.
“Diana’s story is, of course, as enduring as it is poignant. The gems to be found in these memoirs represent a perfect and organic opportunity and we’re very excited to take it.”
Marlo Miazga, president of Sphere Media, said: “It’s a rare thing to find a fresh angle on such an adored and explored public figure, but Anne’s memoir is a treasure trove of new perspectives and intimate insights into one of the most scrutinised women in history.
“It’s also exciting to be partnering with Two Rivers for the first time on a project that brings together both of our heritages with a story that will surely resonate with audiences around the world.”
Allan’s career began as a classical dancer, training on a scholarship at the Royal Ballet School in London.
After becoming ballet mistress for London City Ballet, she was invited to become the private dance teacher to Diana.
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