Princess Diana had a secret dance teacher; her memoir will become a doc

Canadian television and film producer Sphere Media has acquired Dancing with Diana: A Memoir Created by Scottish/Canadian dancer Anne Allan, who was Princess Diana's top secret dance teacher and co-choreographed a legendary dance uptown girl Her Covent Garden routine. Glasgow-based Two Rivers Media and Sphere said on Wednesday they had struck a first co-production deal to produce a 90-minute feature documentary based on a memoir published last year.

Sphere Abacus will distribute the documentary worldwide.

“This documentary will chronicle the nine years starting in early 1981 when Alan served as Princess Diana's personal (and top-secret) dance teacher,” a description of the project states. “Teaching hundreds of one-hour classes a week at a private dance studio, Diana formed close friendships with teachers and students amid her modest fame, the joys of motherhood, a crumbling marriage, and her battle with bulimia. . In her role as confidante and teacher, Ellen gained a unique insight into the princess’s life, challenges, passions and achievements.”

Allen said: “I’m delighted that Sphere Media and Two Rivers Media have chosen to bring this film to the screen Dancing with Diana. As a Glaswegian living in Canada, this is a very special partnership for me and I'm really looking forward to seeing it come to fruition! ”

She added: “In my time with the Princess, I was extremely lucky to witness not only Diana's love of dance, but also a more personal side of her. I hope viewers of this documentary will appreciate this fresh take on face, and gain a deeper understanding of what makes her extraordinary.”

The producers promise the documentary will include never-before-seen archival material, including photos, personal gifts and notes from the princess. It will also include “new interviews with royal insiders, celebrities, Hollywood A-listers and several of Diana's closest friends.”

Through the lens of Ellen's memory, viewers will be guided through “Diana's transformation from shy newlywed to global superstar – a woman with the skill and confidence to dance in front of the world to Billy Joel Dance” uptown girl at the Royal Opera House in London, with Wayne Sleep, and at the White House with John Travolta,” the companies said.