The classical channel BBC Radio 3 had an interview tonight with Alicia
Markova on the occasion of her 90th birthday.

She was dancing in pantomime at the age of 10 when her talent was
spotted by Diaghilev for his Ballet Russe in London and Paris.  She
became one of the principal inter-war ballerinas.  She retired in 1962,
feeling she could not improve her technique any further.

Talking about her first role danced for Diaghilev, Stravinsky's
"The Nightingale", 'round about 1924, she said the piano part was too
difficult for the repetiteur (rehearsal pianist) so "they used a roll."

She meant, of course, a piano roll.

Dan Wilson, London