London Contemporary Dance Theatre

British modern dance company formed by entrepreneur Robin Howard in 1967. Its aim was to introduce modern dance based on the principles of Martha Graham to Britain. Its first artistic director was Robert Cohan, an American from Graham's company. He left in 1989, but returned to the company as artistic adviser 1992-94. The company was disbanded in 1994. Several important choreographers and dancers have emerged from the company and its school, most notably Richard Alston and Siobhan Davies.

Howard established the London School of Contemporary Dance in 1966, the only European institution authorized to teach the Graham method. The school continues its work at the Place, near Euston Station, London, and is now one of the UK's national dance agencies and a focus for education, creativity, and performance.

Another American, Dan Wagoner, took over artistic direction of LCDT from Cohan in 1989; he was succeeded by Nancy Duncan, from Pentacle in New York. Cohan returned to the company during a troubled period when the company lacked an artistic director.

Other choreographers to have emerged from LCDT include Anthony van Laast, Micha Bergese, Jonathan Lunn, and Paul Douglas; outstanding dancers include Lauren Potter, Gill Clarke, David Hughes, and Darshan Singh Bhuller.