Posts filed under: Flashback

Karl Welander, Kathleen Gorham and artists of The Australian Ballet in Melbourne Cup, 1962

Flashback: Melbourne Cup

We think this might be the only ballet in the world that depicts a horse race (or at least, the only one in which female dancers play the horses and their male partners the jockeys). Melbourne Cup was commissioned in 1962 by Peggy van Praagh for The Australian Ballet, itself newly foaled that year. Choreographed by Rex Reid, with music arranged by Harold Badger and décor by Anne Church, this bit of colonial-flavoured fun featured a jackaroo, a debutante, and the country’s biggest race. The national company was finding its legs and beginning to forge an Australian identity.

This photo is one of hundreds in our 50th anniversary book Luminous, which tells the story of The Australian Ballet in pictures and essays from leading arts writers.

31 October 2011

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Marilyn Jones in The Merry Widow. Photography William Baxter.

Flashback: Marilyn Jones in The Merry Widow

By Behind Ballet

Flashback, The Merry Widow

Let the waltzing begin! Our dancers are practising their Pontevedrian moves in preparation for the Sydney season of The Merry Widow (10 – 28 November), and we’re looking back to the original season of this romantic, opulent ballet. In 1975, Marilyn Rowe created the role of Hanna Glawari; Marilyn Jones (pictured here) danced the part in the same season.

This image captures perfectly Hanna’s elegant hauteur as she makes a show-stopping entrance into a hostile crowd at Chez Maxim’s and shucks her bouffant white cloak. She and her old flame Danilo are estranged by a tangled web of misunderstanding and wounded pride. Will it all end happily?… Ah, we love a romance!

10 October 2011

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Checkmate in 1986

By Behind Ballet

British Liaisons, Flashback

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Ninette de Valois’ Checkmate was revived this year, giving a fresh generation of dancers the chance to master its symmetries and dramatic betrayals, wear red shoes and horsehair armbands, and wield those fearsome knives. Today we look back to 1986, when Sir Robert Helpmann left his hospital bed to play his last ever performances as The Red King. And who’s that Red Knight? Why, our own Artistic Director, David McAllister.

Photographs taken in 1986 by Gregory McClosky

Checkmate, part of the British Liaisons program, will wrap up in Melbourne tomorrow, 3 September.

2 September 2011

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Kirsty Martin and Steven Heathcote in After the Rain. Photo David Kelly
Kirsty Martin and Steven Heathcote in After the Rain. Photo David Kelly
Steven Heathcote taking his last curtain call, with daughter Mia and wife Kathy. Photo David Kelly

Flashback: Steven Heathcote’s final performance in After the Rain

By Behind Ballet

British Liaisons, Flashback

In 2007, Steven Heathcote took his final bow in Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain^©.

Steven was one of The Australian Ballet’s most acclaimed and beloved dancers, and the longest-serving principal artist in its history: his career spanned 25 years. He was joined on stage by the dancers, his wife Kathy, and his children Sam and Mia, as 2000 balletomanes gave him a 10-minute standing ovation. (more…)

9 August 2011

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Guest Artist Sonia Arova backstage prior to The Australian Ballet's premiere season of Swan Lake in 1962. Photo Darryl Smyth

The Australian Ballet in 1962

By Behind Ballet

Flashback, Photo Galleries

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Fifty years ago, Darryl Smythe captured the newly formed Australian Ballet in crisp black and white. From dramatic backstage portraits to outdoor action shots, Smythe’s images evoke the verve and energy of the young company.

We’re looking to contact Darryl Smythe, or anyone who might know him. Any leads? Please contact us.

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12 April 2011

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Ai-Gul Gaisina as Michelle in Fool on the Hill, 1975. Photography David Parker

Flashback: Fool on the Hill

By Jasmin Tulk

Flashback

As we prepare for The Australian Ballet’s 50^th anniversary in 2012, we’ve come across gorgeous photographs capturing timeless onstage moments. This photo, taken by David Parker, is of Ai-Gul Gaisina entering the stage as Michelle in Fool on the Hill. The Australian Ballet teamed up with ABC TV to screen the ballet in 1975, making it the first production the company broadcasted in its 15-year history.

10 September 2010

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