Sir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton (1904-1988) began his career as a dancer but is largely remembered as a choreographer.

Ashton began his career with the Ballet Rambert which was originally called The Ballet Club. He rose to fame with The Royal Ballet, becoming its resident choreographer in the 1930s. His version of La Fille Mal Gardee was particularly successful. He worked with Margot Fonteyn among others. His broad travesti performances as one of the comic Ugly Stepsisters in Cinderella were annual events for many years.

In 1962, he was knighted for his services to ballet.