SKOOG TAKES THE REINS AT ENGLISH NATIONAL BALLET.

English National Ballet has appointed the Swedish-born, 44-year-old Matz Skoog to take over as artistic director in August. He replaces Derek Deane, who recently announced he would step down when his contract expires then. Trained at the Royal Swedish Ballet School, Skoog was accepted in 1975 into the Royal Swedish Ballet, where he rose to the rank of principal. In 1979, he joined London Festival Ballet (now English National Ballet) and performed with the company for twelve years. He danced every major role in the company's repertoire and created several leading roles in such works as Sphinx (Tetley), and Swansong (Bruce). He left the stage in 1991 to concentrate on staging works and guest teaching around the world, and he has served as artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet since 1996.