Monica Mason b. 1941 Royal Ballet Photo: Ray Round Photo: Anthony Crickmay Photo: Photo: Photo: Keith Money Photo: Anthony Crickmay All photos copyright by their respective owners. Monica Mason was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1941. She studied in South Africa and at the Royal Ballet School in London. Joined the Royal Ballet in 1958 and became principal in 1967. She was a dancer with exceptional strength and vitality.