Article: Coffee and a fruity slice of nostalgia; Dame Ninette de Valois died yesterday aged 102.Theatre critic Richard Edmonds remembers eating cherry cake with her in the laundry.(ROP)

Byline: Richard Edmonds

The dancers always called her Madam. She could be imperious and Dame Ninette did not suffer fools gladly.

Yet, I remember her courtesy and kindness on the occasions when I managed to get an interview arranged.

We met now and then at her house in Barnes, almost on the river. I remember arriving on her doorstep a few years ago with a Royal Ballet press person. Dame Ninette did not want a house full and she made the point clear. She wanted to talk without an audience.

'Why don't you go into ...

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