Australian Performing Arts (PROMPT) Collection

The Ballets Russes in Australasia, 1936-1940


CONTENTS


ORIGINS and precursors

Ballets Russes is a generic name given to a succession of ballet companies which emerged in Europe after the demise of Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in 1929. These companies were founded and managed by Colonel Wassily de Basil and Renee Blum, either jointly or separately. They continued the Diaghilev tradition performing much of his repertoire and using some dancers from the Diaghilev companies.

During the 1930s and 1940s there were several Ballets Russes companies which toured throughout Europe, the Americas and to Australasia. Three Ballets Russes companies were formed for touring to Australia between 1936 and 1940. Two of these tours, in 1936/37 and 1938/39, included New Zealand. All three Australasian tours were entrepreneured by J.C. Williamson.

Audiences in Australia had previously seen a sampling of the Diaghilev tradition through earlier tours by companies built around prominent ballerinas. In 1913, Adeline Genee toured to Australia with members of the Imperial Russian Ballet. Anna Pavlova toured to Australia twice with her own companies in 1926 and 1929.

In 1934, the Dandre-Levitoff Russian Ballet company toured to Australia, headed by the famous Russian ballerina Olga Spessivtzeva. These companies had strong links to each other, eg. Victor Dandre was Pavlova’s Manager. As well, dancers such as Algeranoff came to Australia with Pavlova in 1926 and 1929, and later returned with the Ballets Russes.

[NB. The National Library holds collections of programs for each of these earlier visiting companies]


NAMES :
A ballet company by any other name?

The various companies formed by de Basil and Blum tended to use parts of each other’s names, which can lead to confusion.

For the Australasian tours the first company in 1936/1937 was called Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, sometimes abbreviated to The Monte Carlo Russian Ballet.

The second company in 1938/39 was called the Covent Garden Russian Ballet.

For the third company touring in 1939/40 three names were used – Colonel W. de Basil’s Covent Garden Ballet, Colonel W. de Basil’s Ballet Company and finally The Original Ballet Russe.

[Further details on the companies’ lineages are given in various references such as Walker, Pask and Cargher – see the Sources section]


Publications produced for the Australasian tours :
A cautionary note

In documenting the visit to Australasia of the three Ballets Russes companies in the 1930s, one of the prime aims is to establish which ballets were performed, when they were performed, and who performed in them. To achieve this, three critical factors have to be taken into account :

  1. The complex nature of the programs of ballets performed by the companies which involved frequently changing multiple bills on each program
  2. The particular pattern of program publishing practised by J.C.Williamson
  3. The variety of sources for the programs in the National Library’s PROMPT collections.

1. Multiple bills

Each tour of the Ballets Russes followed a familiar pattern of performing a large number of shorter ballets. None of the seasons included a program featuring just one full length ballet. Instead, there was an average of three ballets per program, sometimes up to five. In addition, the company changed programs frequently. The longest run of one program was for eight nights plus matinees, the shortest was for just one performance.

All these factors are common to any dance company, particularly a touring one. However with the Ballets Russes, the large number of ballets performed over a long period of time make for a particularly complex picture.

2. The publishing of programs

Beginning in the 1920s, the J. C. Williamson organisation [JCW] published a Magazine programme in cities with theatres operated by them, namely Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. These multi-purpose publications covered current and forthcoming attractions in JCW theatres in each of these cities for various periods.

The frequency of the Magazine programmes is difficult to accurately establish. Some assistance in dating is given on cast list pages announcing "Season commencing.June 23…". In some cities such as Melbourne and Sydney where JCW operated up to three theatres the issuing of a Magazine programme appears to have been relatively frequent (either weekly or fortnightly) and the publications themselves were larger, often over 50 pages.

In general, the covers of the Magazine programmes were the same for long periods of time and were usually used in all cities. However, for major attractions such as the Ballets Russes tours, some special covers were used at various times. These special covers are indicated in the chronological listings for each Ballets Russes tour.

The Magazine programmes included a large amount of advertising and publicity material for current and forthcoming attractions with biographies, portraits, scenes from attractions and reports from overseas, featuring prominently. Much of this information was repeated or rearranged from issue to issue. Advance publicity increased in volume as the attraction drew nearer.

In relation to the Ballets Russes tours, Magazine programmes are particularly useful for the publicity surrounding the tours, articles by Arnold Haskell, biographies, and portraits of dancers, music staff and management. Product advertising using leading dancers is also of interest.

The combined publicity machines of de Basil and J. C. Williamson produced glossy Souvenir programmes for some of the seasons. Largely photographic in nature, they featured principal dancers of the company, scenes from some of the ballets performed, and leading personalities associated with the tour. These should not be confused with some issues of the routine Magazine programmes which have "Souvenir Programme" overprinted on the cover, but which contain nothing of a special nature.

Cast lists for musicals, variety shows, dramas and comedies were usually included in the text of the Magazine programme. However, for opera and ballet they were NOT included. Instead, separate four page folded Cast lists were published covering a season of a multiple bill, whether it was for one, three, five or eight night’s duration.

It is important to note that two ‘types’ of Cast lists occur indicating either repertoire or cast changes. These can appear to be duplicates but reveal changes after a careful internal examination of the text has been done. This is in spite of the same date span being stated, for example, "Week commencing Saturday November 7, 1936". Evidence suggests that these ‘weekly’ Cast lists were in some instances issued daily. The second smaller ‘type’ are those where the specific performance date has been printed at the top of the Cast list, for example, "Wednesday evening, December 9". These subtle changes may reflect cast or repertoire changes from one night to the next, a factor which the researcher needs to be aware of. Differences in dating which occur on Cast lists have been noted in the list which follows.

The collecting and preserving of these loose Cast lists are particularly important as they represent the best available evidence of the repertoire actually performed and who performed it.

The Library has acquired Cast lists from many sources over the years. Some have come to the Library loosely inserted into an issue of a Magazine programme and these have been retained in situ as it is assumed that is the manner in which they were issued. Others have been acquired as individual items which might have been handed out to patrons at the performance in that form. On the other hand they might have become separated from a Magazine programme. Cast lists held as individual items form the bulk of the documentation of the Ballets Russes tours in the PROMPT Collection.

Some examples of Advertising ephemera such as brochures, booking forms, invitations, etc have survived and are noted under the relevant season.

Advertisements, reports, reviews and listings in newspapers can also be used as source material for documenting the Ballets Russes tours. However these sources have NOT been included in this Holdings list.

3. Sources of the National Library’s holdings

Over the years, the Library has acquired published material on the Ballets Russes tours from three sources – J. C. Williamson, Geoffrey Ingram, and through routine acquisitions of retrospective Australiana whether by gift or purchase.

When the firm of J. C. Williamson’s closed in 1973, the Library acquired a significant collection of material from the Sydney office of the company (See the description in Potter. A Full house -reference in the Sources section). Included in the large collection was a bound set of Magazine programmes and Cast lists which provide a near complete record of JCW theatres in Sydney from the 1920s to the late 1960s. It is thought that they were probably working copies for JCW office staff, as they are well used, indexed and occasionally annotated.

In some cases these bound volumes constitute the most complete holdings of Cast lists for certain portions of the three Ballets Russes tours. These are referred to in the listing as "JCW/BS Vol…".

Individual Cast lists covering other portions of the tours were acquired from JCW and form part of the PROMPT holdings.These are referred to in the holdings list as separates.

Geoffrey Ingram is a former dancer with the Borovansky Ballet and was founding administrator of the Australian Ballet, as well as being a collector of historical Australian dance material. The Library acquired a significant portion of his collection including substantial holdings of Magazine programmes and Cast lists for the Ballets Russes, particularly the Melbourne seasons. These have been integrated into the PROMPT collection.

The Library is actively filling in gaps in its Australiana collections. As such it acquires retrospective material, including published material relating to the Ballets Russes tours. These are integrated into the PROMPT collection.

With the compilation of this holdings list, the Library’s holding of Ballets Russes programs and ephemera have been brought together for the first time to form a near complete record of these historic tours.

NB. JCW consistently used ‘programme’ to refer to their Magazine programme. This meaning has been retained in this Finding Aid. The word ‘program’ is used to avoid confusion and refers to a ballet season.


RUSSIAN names

A caution about Russian names which can vary greatly. Spelling used in this Ballets Russes holdings list is based on that commonly used in the programs and cast lists published during the tours.


REPERTOIRE

Between 1936 and 1940 the three touring Ballets Russes companies performed 44 separate ballets in Australia most of which were Australian premieres. Five ballets received their world premieres during the three tours. Twelve of the ballets became standard favourites and were repeated for each visit.

Below is a complete list of ballets in the repertoire of the Ballets Russes touring companies in Australia.

* - denotes a world premiere

** - denotes an Australian premiere

L'amour sorcier **
Choreography - Leon Woizikovsky
Music - Manuel de Falla
Scenery and costumes - Nathalie Gontcharova Performed tour 1

L'apres midi d'un faune (Afternoon of a faun) **
Choreographic poem
Choreography - After Waslaw Nijinsky
Music - Claude Debussy from his "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune"
Scenery - Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1, 3

Aurora's wedding SEE Le mariage d'Aurore

Le beau Danube (The beautiful Danube)**
Book and choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Johann Strauss arr. Roger Desormiere
Costumes - Count Etienne de Beaumont
Scenery - Vladimir Polunin after Constantin Guys
Performed tour 1

Bolero **
Choreography - Anton Dolin
Music - Maurice Ravel
Performed tour 2

La boutique fantasque**
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Gioacchine Rossini arr. Ottorino Respighi
Décor and costumes - Andre Derain
Performed tour 1

Carnaval**
Ballet in once act
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - Robert Schumann orchestrated by Rimsky-Korsakoff, Glazounoff, Liadoff, Tcherepnine
Scenery and costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1- 3

Cendrillon (Cinderella) **
Ballet in three parts after Perrault's fairy tale
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - Frederic d'Erlanger
Scenery and costumes - Nathalie Gontcharova
Scenery executed by - Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes executed by - B. Karinska
Performed tours 2-3

Les cent baisers (The hundred kisses) **
Libretto - Boris Kochno after the fairy tale by Hans Andersen
Choreography - Bronislava Nijinska
Music - Frederic d'Erlanger
Scenery and costumes - Jean Hugo
Scenery executed - by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tours 1-3

Choreartium (Choreographic symphony) **
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - J. Brahms from his "4th Symphony"
Scenery and costumes - by Constantin Terechkovitch and Eugene Lourie
Curtain - by Georges Annenkoff
Scenery executed by Elisabeth Polunin Performed tours 2-3

Cimarosiana **
Ballet divertissement
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Domenico Cimarosa
Scenery and costumes - Jose-Marie Sert
Performed tour 3

La concurrence (The competition) **
Ballet - by Andre Derain
Choreography - Georges Balanchine
Music -Georges Auric
Curtain, scenery and costumes - Andre Derain
Costumes executed by B. Karinska
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tour 2

Contes russes (Children's tales) **
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Anatol Liadoff
Scenery and costumes - Michel Larionoff
Performed tour 1

Coppelia **
('The girl with the enamel eyes')
Ballet in two acts
Choreography - arranged by Anatole Oboukhoff after Marius Petipa
Music - Leo Delibes
After the story from 'The Tales of Hoffman'
Costumes executed by Olga Larose
Performed tour 3

Le coq d'or (The golden cockerel) **
Ballet in three scenes based on the fairy tale by Puchkine and opera libretto by Bielsky
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - from the opera by Rimsky-Korsakoff adapted by N. Tcherepnine
Curtain, scenery and costumes -Nathalie Gontcharova
Scenery - executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes - executed by B. Karinska
Performed tours 2-3

Cotillon (The dance) **
Ballet - Boris Kochno
Choreography - Georges Balanchine
Music - Emmanuel Chabrier arr. E. Chabrier, F. Mottl, Vittorio Rieti
Scenery and costumes - Christian Berard
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes executed by B. Karinska
Performed tours 1-2

Danses slaves et tziganes (Gypsy dances) **
From the Russian opera "Roussalka"
Choreography by Bronislava Nijinska
Music - A. Dargomijsky
Scenery - by A. Golovine
Costumes by C Korovine executed by Helene Pons, New York
Performed tour 2

Le Danube bleu (The blue Danube)*
Ballet to music by Johann Strauss
Scenes and dances arranged by Serge Lifar
Scenery - Vladimir Polunin after Constantin Guys
Costumes - Count Etienne de Beaumont
Performed tour 3

Les dieux mendiants (The gods go a-begging) **
Pastoral by Sobeka
Choreography - David Lichine
Music - G.F. Handel arranged by Sir Thomas Beecham
Scenery - by Leon Bakst
Costumes - by Juan Gris
Performed tours 2-3

Les femmes de bonne humeur (The good humoured ladies) **
Ballet in one act after a comedy by Carlo Goldoni
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Domenico Scarlatti . Orchestrated and arranged by Vincenzo Tommasini
Scenery and costumes - by Leon Bakst
Performed tours 2-3

Le fils prodigue (The prodigal son) *
Scenes in three tableaux by Boris Kochno
Choreography - by David Lichine
Music - by Serge Prokofieff
Scenery and costumes - Georges Rouault
Scenery executed by - Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes executed - by Mme V. Soudeikine
Performed tour 2

The Firebird SEE L'oiseau de feu

Francesca da Rimini **
Choreographic drama in two scenes by David Lichine and Henry Clifford partly drawn from Dante
Music - P Tchaikovsky
Scenery and costumes - Oliver Messel
Scenery executed by Prince. A. Schervachidze
Costumes executed by B. Karinska
Performed tour 3

Graduation ball *
Ballet in one act by David Lichine
Choreography - David Lichine
Music - Johann Strauss. Compiled, arranged and orchestrated by Antal Dorati
Scenery, costumes - Alexandre Benois
Scenery executed by Nadejda Benois
Ladies costumes executed by Antoinette, Sydney
Male costumes executed by A. H. Leiser, Sydney
Performed tour 3

Icare*
Choreographic legend in one act by Serge Lifar
Choreauthor -Serge Lifar
Rhythms by Lifar orchestrated by Antal Dorati
Scenery and costumes - Sidney Nolan
Performed tour 3

Jeux d'enfants (Children's games) **
Ballet - Boris Kochno
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Georges Bizet
Curtain, scenery, costumes and designs - Joan Miro
Curtain - painted by Joan Miro
Scenery - painted by Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes - executed by Madame B. Karinska
Performed tour 2

Le lac des cygnes (Swan lake) **
Choreographic poem in one act
Choreography - after Marius Petipa
Music - P.Tchaikovsky
Scenery and costumes by C.Korovine
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze (tours 1-2), O. Allegri (tour 3)
Performed tours 1-3

Lutte eternelle (Eternal struggle) *
Ballet in one act by Igor Schwezoff
Choreography - Igor Schwezoff
Music - Robert Schumann from "Etudes symphonqiues" orchestrated by Antal Dorati
Scenery and costumes - Kathleen and Florence Martin
Scenery executed by G. Upward
Costumes executed by Olga Larose
Performed tour 3

Le mariage d' Aurore (Aurora's wedding) **
Choreography - After Marius Petipa
Music - Piotr Tchaikovsky
Costumes - Alexandre Benois
Scenery - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1-3

L'oiseau de feu (The firebird) **
Ballet in two scenes by Michel Fokine from Russian folk tales
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music -Igor Stravinsky
Scenery and costumes - Leon Bakst (tour 1) and Nathalie Gontcharova (tour 3)
Performed tours 1, 3

Paganini **
Fantastic ballet in three scenes by S. Rachmaninoff and M. Fokine
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - Serge Rachmaninoff from his "Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini"
Scenery and costumes - Serge Soudeikine
Scenery executed - Oreste Allegri
Performed tour 3

Papillons (The butterflies) **
Ballet in one act
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - Robert Schumann arranged by N. Tcherepnine
Scenery designed and executed by M. Doboujinsky
Costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 2-3

Pavane (Pavane of the Infantas) *
Choreography - Serge Lifar
Music - Gabriel Faure Costumes - Jose-Maria Sert
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tour 3

Pavillon **
Ballet - Boris Kochno
Music - A. Borodine. Arranged and orchestrated by Antal Dorati
Choreography - David Lichine
Scenery - Nicolas Benois
Costumes- Cecil Beaton
Costumes executed by B. Karinska
Performed tour 3

Petrouchka **
A burlesque in four acts
Choreography - Michel Fokine Book - by Alexandre Benois and Igor Stravinsky
Music - I. Stravinsky
Curtain, scenery and costumes -by Alexandre Benois
Performed tours 1-3

Port Said **
Choreography - Leon Woizikowsky
Music - Konstantinoff
Scenery and costumes - Michel Larionoff
Performed tour 1

Les presages (Destiny) **
Choreographic symphony Book and choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - P. Tchaikovsky from his "Fifth Symphony"
Scenery and costumes - Andre Masson
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tours 1-3

Prince Igor **
Polovtsien dances from the opera "Prince Igor"
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - Alexander Borodine
Scenery and costumes - Nicholas Roerich
Performed tours 1-3

Protee **
Choreographic tableau by David Lichine and Henry Clifford
Choreography - David Lichine
Music - Claude Debussy from his "Danses sacree et profane"
Scenery and costumes - Giorgio de Chirico
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Costumes executed by B. Karinska
Performed tours 2-3

Scheherazade **
Choreographic drama in one act by Michel Fokine and Leon Bakst
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - N. Rimsky-Korsakoff
Scenery and costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1-3

Scuola di ballo (The school of dance) **
A comedy by Carol Goldoni arranged and adapted by Leonide Massine
Choreography - by Leonide Massine
Music - L. Boccherini. Orchestrated by J.Francaix
Scenery and costumes - by Count Etienne de Beaumont
Scenery executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tours 1-3

Soleil de nuit (The midnight sun) **
Russian scenes and dances from the opera " Snegoutotchka"
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - N. Rimsky-Korsakoff
Scenery and costumes - Michel Larionoff
Performed tours 1-2

Le spectre de la rose (The spirit of the rose) **
Romantic poem in one act by J.J. Vaudoyer after the poem by Theophile Gautier
Choreography - Michel Fokine (reconstructed for tour 1 by Leon Woizikovsky)
Music - C.M. Weber
Scenery and costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1-3

Swan lake SEE Le lac des cygnes

Les sylphides **
A romantic reverie in one act by Michel Fokine
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - F. Chopin. Orchestrated by Vittorio Rieti
Scenery - Prince A. Schervachidze after Corot
Costumes executed by - O. Larose
Performed tours 1-3

Symphonie fantastique **
An episode in the life of an artist
Choreography - Leonid Massine
Music and Book - H. Berlioz
Scenery and costumes - by Christian Berard
Scenery - executed by Prince A. Schervachidze
Performed tours 2-3

Thamar **
Choreographic drama in one act
Choreography - Michel Fokine
Music - M. Balakireff
Scenery and costumes - Leon Bakst
Performed tours 1, 3

Union Pacific **
An American ballet in one act and four scenes Libretto - Archibald MacLeish
Choreography - Leonide Massine
Music - Nicolas Nabokoff based on folk songs of the period 1860
Scenery - Valentine Kashuba
Costumes - Irene Sharaff
Performed tour 2


FIRST AUSTRALASIAN TOUR

COLONEL W. DE BASIL’S MONTE CARLO RUSSIAN BALLET

Sometimes abbreviated to MONTE CARLO RUSSIAN BALLET

Summary - October 1936 – July 1937. Touring to Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide

PERSONNEL

Dancers – as listed in Cast lists

Ballerinas

Helene Antonova, Valentina Blinova, Irina Bondireva, Nathalie Branitzka, Mona Dimidova, Mira Dimina (Madeleine Parker), Helene Ducrailova, Nina Golovina, Margot Guerard (Mary Garina), Vanda (or Wanda) Grossen, Xenia Kalinowska, Helene Kirsova, Marija (or Moussia) Korjinska, Vera Lipska, Tatiana Mouravieva, Nina Natova, Helene Polouchina, Nina Raievska, Lilia (or Lelia) Roussova, Anna Severska, Anna Skarpa (or Anna Skarova), Elisabeth Souvorova (Betty Scorer), Tamara Tchinarova, Maria Valevska, Olga Valevska, Irina Vassilieva, Sonia Woizikowska, Nina Youchkevitch

Male dancers

Savva Andreieff, Thomas Armour, Jean Aykoff, Valentine Baline, Birger Bartholin, Jashf Crandall (Joseph Crandall), Joseph (or Jash or Jashf) Dolotine, Alexis Frank, Valentin Froman, Roland Guerard, Jean (or Jan) Hoyer, Milos Ristic, Ivan (or Vania or Jean) Rykoff, Valery Shaevsky, Thadee Slavinsky, Arnold Spirka, Dmitri Tovaroff, Serge Unger (or Serge Ungern), Serge Vladimiroff, Marjan Winter, Igor Yousskevitch, Leon Woizikowsky

Dancers appearing briefly (Source: Walker, 1982)

Ballerinas

Jean Brandon, Edna Brusse, Cherlova (Melbourne, 1937), Peggy Chauncey (Petrova), Patricia Cape, Jean Edwards, E. Georgieva, Joan Hope, Anne Mackentosh (Anne Chloe Elder), Marianne Martin, Mourova, Lindsay Shaw, Alexandra Stepanova

Male dancer

Vassilie Trunov

Dance staff

Choreographer – Leon Woizikowsky
Maitre de ballet/Regisseur-General - Leon Woizikowsky
Regisseur/Assistant Regisseur - Jean Hoyer

Music staff

Principal conductor - Jascha Horenstein
Associate conductor/musical director - Ivan Clayton

Management

Director – Jacques Lidji
Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet –Founder and Director General – Col. W. de Basil
Colonel de Basil’s representative – Alexander Philippov
Liaison officer – Arnold Haskell

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Note on holdings of publications

ALL publications listed below are held and filed in the National Library’s PROMPT collection.

The few cases of publications NOT being held in the PROMPT collection have been indicated. In these cases the details of the program performed have been taken from Potter – see Sources section at the end of this holdings list.

For details on the file arrangement and access to the PROMPT collection refer to the Access section of this holdings list.

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General tour publication

Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo Ltd. : Australia and New Zealand, season 1936-1937 / (Col. W. de Basil’s
New York : Nicolas Publishing Co, 1936. [29 p.] : ill. (some col.), ports. ; 31 cm.

A souvenir book issued for the Australasian tour featured a coloured cover of a reproduction of an original design by Ivan Bilibine of five women in Russian regional costume. The book contained a group photo of the company ; portraits of dancers ; synopses to 20 ballets ; 8 pages of colour illustrations of costumes, colour illustrations of scenery for Aurora’s wedding, Pulcinella, Scheherazade, Soleil de nuit, L’oiseau de feu, Les cent baisers, Cotillon, Scuola di ballo, Les presages.

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TOUR

ADELAIDE
Theatre Royal
October 13, 1936 – October 28, 1936

Publications

Magazine programme

Three issues of the Magazine programme were published for the Adelaide season. All have 32 pages and contain stories of 21 ballets, with several biographies of the artists and the company. Portraits of the three principals, some soloists and the baby ballerinas such as Sonia Woizikowska are included. The remainder of the content in the Magazine programmes is theatre gossip, advertisements, etc. Two issues had the same cover of a ballerina wearing a green hat. Above the illustration are the words "Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, Theatre Royal, Adelaide".

Two of the Magazine programmes contain programs of ballets to be performed in Programs 1-3 and 4-5 respectively. Another issue of the Magazine programme announced the exclusion of Le spectre de la rose. The program of ballets changed twice weekly.

Cast lists

In Adelaide Cast lists were not usually included in the Magazine programme.

Advertising material

1 leaflet, 11 x 25 cm., crème paper. Name of the company in red. Probably used as signage.

Season

October 13 (E), 14 (M&E), 15 (E)
Overture - Prince Igor (Borodin)
Les sylphides**, Scheherazade**, Le spectre de la rose**, La boutique fantasque**
"Program 1" as advertised in the first Magazine programme
NLA- Separate Cast list not held

October 16 (E), 17 (M&E), 19 (E)
Overture - Prince Igor (Borodin)
Carnaval** Scheherazade**, Le beau Danube**, Le spectre de la rose
"Program 2" as advertised together with Program 1 in the first Magazine programme
NLA - Separate Cast list not held

October 17 (E)
Overture - Prince Igor (Borodin)
Carnaval, Scheherazade, Le beau Danube, Le spectre de la rose

October 20 (E), 21 (M&E), 22 (E)
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Le lac des cygnes**, La boutique fantasque, L'apres midi d'un faun**, Prince Igor**
"Program 3" as advertised together with programs 1 and 2 in the first Magazine programme
NLA - Separate Cast list not held

October 22 (E)
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Le lac des cygnes, La boutique fantasque, L'apres-midi d'un faune, Prince Igor

October 23 (E), 24 (M&E), 26 (E)
Les sylphides, Les presages**, Le beau Danube
"Program 4" as advertised in the second Magazine programme
NLA - Separate Cast list not held

October 27 (E)
Carnaval, Le mariage d'Aurore**, Le beau Danube
"Program 5" as advertised with program 4 in the second Magazine programme
NLA - Separate Cast list not held

October 28 (M&E), gala farewell
Les presages, Le beau Danube, Le mariage d'Aurore
Program as advertised in the second Magazine programme
NLA - Separate Cast list not held

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MELBOURNE
His Majesty’s Theatre
October 31, 1936 – December 22, 1936

Publications

Magazine programme

Two covers were issued for the Melbourne season. The first cover for the earlier part of the season has a Baroque couple with a hovering cupid. This issue has 34 p. It includes page length portraits of Woizikowsky, Blinova, Kirsova as well as smaller portraits of other soloists. There are illustrations of scenes from five ballets and articles on the Company’s history, and the history of the Russian ballet.

The second cover features a ballerina with a green hat. This larger issue has 46 p. Title page lists the company of 46 members and two conductors. Stories of the ballets are included with several biographies of the artists, company with portraits. Additional ballets such as Fantasie chinois, Casse noisette, La concurrence were advertised but there is little evidence of them being performed.

Ballet programs changed weekly on Saturday, however they were not printed in the Magazine programme.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide a statement of the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances usually over various periods, from one to six nights, beginning on Saturday evening.

NLA – A complete set of Cast lists is held for this season, with annotations by hand indicating the changing program. In JCW/BS, Volume 24.

Season

Week commencing Saturday, October 31, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore

Week commencing Saturday, November 7, 1936
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Carnaval, Les presages, La boutique fantasque

Week commencing Saturday evening, November 14, 1936
Le lac des cygnes, Petrouchka**, L'apres- midi d'un faune, Prince Igor

Week commencing Saturday evening, November 21, 1936
Overture - Oberon (Weber)
Scuola di ballo, Le spectre de la rose, L'amour sorcier, Le beau Danube

Week commencing Saturday evening, November 21, 1936
Overture - Oberon (Weber)
L'amour sorcier**, Le spectre de la rose, Scuola di ballo**, Le beau Danube
Order changed for remainder of week commencing Monday evening, 23rd November

Week commencing Saturday, November 28 (E), 1936
Overture - Russlan and Ludmilla (Glinka)
Cotillon**, L'oiseau de feu**, Le mariage d'Aurore

Week commencing Saturday, December 5, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Contes russes**, Les cent baisers**, Prince Igor

Tuesday evening, December 8, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, Les cent baisers, Prince Igor

Wednesday afternoon, December 9, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, Les cent baisers, Prince Igor

Wednesday evening, December 9, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, Scheherazade
Programme change

Thursday evening, December 10, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Contes russes
Same as for Wednesday evening except different order of programme

Friday evening, December 11, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Contes russes
Same as for Thursday evening except for cast changes

Saturday afternoon, December 12, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, La boutique fantasque
Programme change

Week commencing Saturday evening, December 12, 1936
Thamar**, Carnaval, Port Said**, Petroushka

Saturday evening, December 19, Monday evening December 21, Tuesday afternoon and evening, December 22
"Gala programme for the last four performances"
Le lac des cygnes, Les presages, Soleil de nuit**, Le beau Danube

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SYDNEY
Theatre Royal
December 26, 1936 – February 26, 1937

Publications

Magazine programme

One cover of the Magazine programme was used for the Sydney season containing a design by Norman Lindsay of a scene from Scheherazade. Some of the issues include the artist’s name on the cover. Many Magazine programmes were issued, each varying slightly regarding articles and advertisements. All issues contain 40 pages. A title page featured the members of the company [between 43-44] and the two conductors. Stories of all ballets performed in Sydney were included as well as biographies and portraits of the principals, some soloists, the baby ballerinas, and the company.

Programs of ballets performed were not printed in the Magazine programme.

Issues of the Magazine programme released prior to the season had a cover of a ballerina on points with an orchestra at her feet. They contained 40 pages and approximately 30% of it was given to the forthcoming JCW attractions, notably the ballet company. They included portraits of Woizikowsky, Blinova and Kirsova and others, introductions to the art of the ballet, biographies of some of the artists and baby ballerinas. Advertised repertoire included The good humoured ladies which was not performed in this season.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide a statement of the ‘Program’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various periods, from one to six nights, beginning on Saturday evening.

NLA – A complete set of Cast lists is held for this season, each annotated by hand or typed indicating daily changes. These are in JCW/BS, Volume 24.

Season

Week commencing Saturday, 26 December, 1936
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore

Week commencing January 2, 1937
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Carnaval, Les presages, La boutique fantasque

Week commencing Saturday evening, January 9th, 1937
Le lac des cygnes, Port Said, Le spectre de la rose, Petrouchka

Week commencing Saturday, January 16, 1937
Overture - Oberon (Weber)
Les sylphides, Le beau Danube, L'apres-midi d'un faune, Prince Igor

Wednesday matinee, January 20, 1937
Overture - Oberon (Weber)
Les sylphides, Le beau Danube, L'apres-midi d'un faune, Prince Igor

[Wednesday evening, January 20, 1937]
Overture - Oberon (Weber)
Les sylphides, Le beau Danube, L'apres-midi d'un faune, Prince Igor
Matinee deleted with autograph of date change to evening

[Friday evening, January 22, 1937]
Same program as Wednesday evening, January 20
Matinee deleted with autograph of date change to evening

Week commencing Saturday night, January 23, 1937
Overture - Russlan and Ludmilla (Glinka)
Cotillon, L'oiseau de feu, Le mariage d'Aurore

Week commencing Saturday, January 30, 1937
Le lac des cygnes, L'amour sorcier, Les cent baisers, La boutique fantasque

Saturday matinee, February 6, 1937
Le lac des cygnes, L'amour sorcier, Les cent baisers, La boutique fantasque

Week commencing Saturday, February 6, 1937
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, Scuola di ballo, Scheherazade

Saturday matinee, February 13, 1937
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, Scuola di ballo, Scheherazade

Sat., Mon., Tues., Wed (Matinee), February 13, 15, 16, 17
Les sylphides, Port Said, Les presages, Prince Igor

Wed., Thurs., Fri and Sat. matinee (Feb. 17, 18, 19, 20)
Le lac des cygnes, Port Said, Petrouchka, Prince Igor

Saturday matinee, February 20
Le lac des cygnes, Port Said, Petrouchka, Prince Igor

Week commencing Saturday, February 20, 1937
Thamar, Le spectre de la rose, L'oiseau de feu, Le beau Danube

Gala farewell performance - Friday, February 26, 1937
Carnaval, Port Said, Les presages, La boutique fantasque

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NEW ZEALAND
February – April 1937

Publications

Souvenir book

Souvenir programme : Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, New Zealand, 1937. [Sydney : J.C. Williamson, 1937]. 36 p. : ill., ports. ;28 cm.

The Souvenir programme was issued on glossy paper for the New Zealand tour featuring the Sydney cover by Norman Lindsay as well as a "Behind scenes" design by his brother Daryl Lindsay. The title page lists the forty-two members of the company, and the conductors. Four programs of ballets to be performed were printed in the souvenir book. Also included are a brief history of company, page length portraits of de Basil, Woizikowsky, Blinova, Kirsova, Horenstein as well as smaller portraits of others, and biographies of artists. A centrefold montage of photos is entitled "Scenes and personalities. Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet". Brief summaries of the ballets included.

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WANGANUI
Opera House
March 20, 1937

Publications

Advertising material

Cover title "The greatest ballet tour in history! J.C. Williamson Ltd’s huge attraction : Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet". 1 folded sheet [5 pages] ; 29 cm.

"Behind scenes" design by Daryl Lindsay. A second sketch by him included as no.3.

Centrefold taken from the Souvenir programme with some changes. Includes 15 illustrations of rehearsal, portraits, and performances. Advertisement includes a repertoire of Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Le mariage d’Aurore.

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BRISBANE
His Majesty’s Theatre
May 8 – 27, 1937

Publications

Magazine programme

The cover of the Magazine programme for the Brisbane season contains a design by Norman Lindsay of a scene from Scheherazade. Some of the issues include the artist's name on the cover. A title page featured the members of the company [between 43-44] and the two conductors. Stories of all ballets performed in Brisbane were included as well as biographies and portraits of the principals, some soloists, the baby ballerinas, and the company. Programs of ballets performed were not printed in the Magazine programme.

Earlier issues held include publicity about the company, stories of the ballets, biographies and portraits of the dancers.

Season

NB. Season and dates taken from Potter – see Sources

May 8, 10, 11, 12 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore
NLA - Neither Magazine programme nor Cast lists held

May 13, 14, 15 (M&E), 17, 18
Les cent baisers, Les presages, La boutique fantasque
NLA - Neither Magazine programme nor Cast lists held

May 19 (M&E ), 20, 21, 22 (M&E)
Le Lac des cygnes, Soleil de nuit, Port Said, Prince Igor
NLA - Neither Magazine programme nor Cast lists held

May 24, 25, 26 (M&E)
Carnaval, Le spectre de la rose, Scuola di ballo, Le beau Danube
NLA - Neither Magazine programme nor Cast lists held

May 27, gala farewell
Scheherazade, La boutique fantasque, Les cent baisers
NLA - Neither Magazine programme nor Cast lists held

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SYDNEY
Theatre Royal
May 29 – June 18, 1937
Return season

Publications

Magazine programme

Same Magazine programme in style, format, cover, content and advertisements as for the first Sydney season.

Only one cover of the Magazine programme was used for the return Sydney season containing a design by Norman Lindsay of a scene from Scheherazade Some of the issues include the artist’s name. Many Magazine programmes were issued, each varying slightly regarding articles and advertisements. Issues contain 40 p. A title page lists the members of the company [between 43-44] and the two conductors. Stories of all ballets performed in Sydney included. Biographies and portraits of the principals, some soloists, the baby ballerinas, and the Company.

Programs of ballets performed were not printed in the Magazine programme.

Issues released prior to the season had a cover of a ballerina on points with an orchestra. They contained 36 pages and approximately 30% devoted to forthcoming JCW attractions, notably the ballet season. They included portraits of Woizikowsky, Blinova and Kirsova and others, introductions to the art of the ballet, biographies of some of the artists including the baby ballerinas.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide a statement of the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances usually over four nights, commencing Saturday and Thursday evenings.

Some Cast lists advertise Max Dupain’s photographic exhibition of the artists and the Company: - "The magnificent collection of photographs of members of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, at present being displayed in the foyer of the Theatre Royal, are from the studio of Max Dupain."

Season

Week commencing Saturday, May 29, 1937. Also Monday May 31; Tuesday June 1; and Wednesday June 2 (Matinee)
Le lac des cygnes, Les presages, Le spectre de la rose, Prince Igor

Commencing Wednesday, June 2, 1937. Also Thursday, June 3; Friday June 4; and matinee Sat., June 5
Overture - Merry Wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Les cent baisers, L'oiseau de feu, La boutique fantasque

Week commencing Saturday evening June 5, 1937. Also Monday June 7; Tuesday June 8 and mat., Wed. June 9
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, Le beau Danube

Week commencing Saturday evening June 5, 1937. Also Monday June 7; Tuesday June 8 and mat., Wed. June 9
Changes to dance order for Contes russes.
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Les sylphides, Contes russes, Le beau Danube

Wednesday evening June 9; Thursday evening June 10; Friday evening June 11; Saturday matinee June 12
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Cotillon, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore

June 12, 14, 15, 16 (M)
Carnaval, Scuola di ballo, Le spectre de la rose, Petrouchka
NLA -Cast list not held

Tuesday evening June 15, 1937
Carnaval, Scuola di ballo, Spectre de la rose, Prince Igor

June 16, 17, 18 (M)
Les sylphides, Thamar, Port Said, Le beau Danube
NLA - Cast list not held

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MELBOURNE
His Majesty’s Theatre
June 19 – July 6, 1937
Return season

Publications

Souvenir book

JC Williamson re-used the ballerina with the green hat as the cover for the Souvenir book for the return Melbourne season. It contains 42 pages with page length portraits of de Basil, Woizikowsky, Blinova, Kirsova and Horenstein. There are smaller portraits of de Basil’s representatives, Clayton, the soloists and the baby ballerinas. A title page lists the company of 43 members and two conductors. It includes articles, biographies of some of the artists and stories of the ballets included.

Magazine programme

The same two covers used for the first season were re-issued for this season. The first of a Baroque couple with a hovering cupid and the second of a ballerina with a green hat. Contents are the same as for the first season.

Programs of ballets performed are not printed in Magazine programme.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide a statement of the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances usually over a period of four days, with changes on Saturday and Wednesday evenings.
NLA—Some Cast lists held

Season

NB. Season and dates taken from Potter - see Sources

June 19, 21, 22, 23 (M)
Le lac des cygnes, Les presages, Le spectre de la rose, Prince Igor
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

June 23 (E), 24
Les cent baisers, L'oiseau bleu, Le beau Danube
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

June 25, 26 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Port Said, Le spectre de la rose, La boutique fantasque
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

June 28, 29, 30 (M)
Carnaval, Scuola di ballo, Petrouchka
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

Wednesday, June 30th at 8 pm ; Thursday, July 1st at 8
Les sylphides, Thamar, Port Said, Le mariage d'Aurore

Friday, July 2 at 8 pm
Overture - Merry wives of Windsor (Nicolai)
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, Les presages, Le beau Danube

July 3 (M&E)
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, Contes russes, Le beau Danube
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

Monday July 5, 1937 at 8 pm, Tuesday July 6, 1937 matinee and night
Le lac des cygnes, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore

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ADELAIDE
Theatre Royal
July 7 – 14, 1937
Return season

Publications

Souvenir book

JC Williamson re-issued the cover from the Sydney seasons featuring Norman Lindsay’s scene from Scheherazade for this return season with the title:- "Souvenir programme 6d Colonel W. de Basil’s Monte Carlo Russian Ballet".

It contains 32 pages and includes page length portraits of Woizikowsky, Blinova, Kirsova and smaller portraits of the other soloists, and Ivan Clayton. Biographies of them are also included as well as an article on de Basil by Arnold Haskell and stories of the ballets.

One copy includes Irena Bondireva’s signature adjacent to her portrait.

Magazine programme

No Magazine programmes are held and it is not known whether they were issued for this season in addition to the Souvenir programme.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide a statement of the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances usually over various periods, from one to six nights.
NLA – Some held

Season

NB. Season and dates taken from Potter – see Sources

July 7-8
Les sylphides, Port Said, Contes russes, La boutique fantasque
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

July 9, 10 (M)
Thamar, Le spectre de la rose, Scuola di ballo, Prince Igor
NLA-Separate Cast list not held

Saturday, July 10th, 1937 at 8 pm and Monday 12th, 1937 at 8 pm
Overture - Rosamunde (Schubert)
Les cent baisers, Les presages, Le mariage d'Aurore
Includes 1 sheet insert of de Basil's portrait

Tuesday, July 13th, 1937 at 8 pm
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, L'amour sorcier, Le beau Danube

Wednesday matinee, July 14th at 2 pm
Carnaval, Soleil de nuit, L'amour sorcier, Le beau Danube

July 14 (E)
Le lac des cygnes, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore
NLA-Separate Cast list not held


SECOND AUSTRALASIAN TOUR

COVENT GARDEN RUSSIAN BALLET

Summary – September 1938 – April 1939. Touring Melbourne, Sydney, New Zealand, Melbourne, Adelaide

PERSONNEL

Dancers - as listed in Cast lists

Ballerinas

Kira Abricossova, Irina Baronova, Irina Bondireva, Alexandra Denisova, Tamara Grigorieva, Vanda Grossen, Irina Kosmovska, Raissa Kouznetsova, Lina Lerina, Ludmila Lvova , June Mackay, Vera Nelidova, Lara Obidenna, Sono Osato, Galina Razoumova, Tatiana Riabouchinska, Lelia Roussova, Maria Sanina, Lisa Serova, Nadia Smirnova, Natasha Sobinova, Kira Strakhova, Tamara Tchinarova, Edna Tresahar, Anna Volkova , Irina Wassilieva, Helene Wolska

Male dancers

Gregory Alexandroff, H Algeranoff, Alberto Alonso, Lorand Andahazy, Boris Belsky, Edouard Borovansky, Serge Bousloff, Anton Dolin, Edouard Dzikovsky, Jan Hoyer, Serge Ismailoff , ?Ivanoff, Roman Jasinsky, Marian Ladre, Yura Lazofsky, Narcisse Matouchak, Paul Petroff, Dimitri Rostoff, Borislav Runanine, Simon Semenoff, Yurek Shabelevsky, Valeri Shaivesky, Edouard Sobichevsky, Oleg Tupine, Valentin Zeglovsky

Dance staff

"Ballets by Michel Fokine under his personal supervision"
Choreographer – David Lichine
Regisseur-General - Serge Grigorieff
Assistant Regisseur – Jan Hoyer

Music staff

Principal conductor - Antal Dorati
Assistant conductor – Vladimir Launitz
Leader of orchestra – Haydn Beck

Management

Educational Ballets Limited – Chairman and Director of Company – Victor Dandre
Managing Director – G. Sevastianov
Assistant Manager – V. Grigorieff

----------------------------------------------------------

Note on holdings of publications

ALL publications listed below are held and filed in the National Library’s PROMPT collection.

The few cases of publications NOT being held in the PROMPT collection have been indicated. In these cases the details of the program performed have been taken from Potter – see Sources section at the end of this Finding Aid.

For details on the file arrangement and access to the PROMPT collection refer to the Access section of this Finding Aid

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TOUR

MELBOURNE
His Majesty’s Theatre
September 28, 1938 - November 21, 1938

Publications

Magazine programme

The Magazine programme for the Melbourne season varies from 50 to 54 pages. A sepia photograph cover of a scene from the ballet Francesca da Rimini is used for the season. The contents include "Stories of the ballets", short biographies of "Stars of the ballet" plus conductor Antal Dorati and small publicity paragraphs on the company. Photograph portraits of Irina Baronova, Tatiana Riabouchinska, Anton Dolin, David Lichine, Yurek Shabelevesky, Paul Petroff, Antal Dorati, Tamara Grigorieva, Roman Jasinsky and some group photos of other members of the company.

Cast lists

Cast lists cover programs of ballets with casts for periods of three nights, occasionally four. The program of ballets changed once a week.

Advertising material

Large advertising brochure for season. 4 page folder. Sepia tone photographs of stars and scenes from the ballets with listing of repertoire, stars, prices and ticket sales.

Small advertising brochure for part of season, October 6–27, includes ticket prices, repertoire.

Season

September 28, 29 (M&E),
30 October 1 (M)

Overture -Capriccio Espagnol (Rimsky-Korsakoff)
Les sylphides, Cendrillon **, Le mariage d'Aurore

October 1, 3, 4 (E), 5 (M&E)
Overture- The Impresario (Mozart)
Le lac des cygnes, Symphonie fantastique **, Prince Igor

October 6, 7 (E), 8 (M&E)
Overture -The Impresario (Mozart)
Les dieux mendiants**, Petrouchka, La concurrence **

October 10, 11 (E), 12 (M&E)
Overture - Fete Poloniase (Chabrier)
Jeux d'enfants **, Choreartium **, Scuola di ballo

October 13, 14 (E), 15 (M&E)
Overture - La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Les femmes de bonne humeur **, Scheherazade, La spectre de la rose, Soleil de nuit

October 15 (M)
Scheherazade replaced by Cendrillon - see Potter listing and advertisement in previous cast list
NLA - No separate Cast list held for this matinee

October 17, 18 (E), 19 (M&E)
Overture - The Impresario (Mozart)
Jeux d'enfants, Le coq d'or **, Prince Igor

October 20,21 (E), 22 (M&E)
Overture - Capriccio Espagnol ( Rimsky-Korsakoff)
Le lac des cygnes, Cendrillon, Protee **, Danses slaves et tziganes **

October 24, 25 (E), 26 (M&E)
Overture - Capriccio Italien (Tschaikowsky)
Cotillon, Les presages, Protee
Orchestral interlude - Kamarinskaya (Glinka)
Danses slaves et tziganes

October 27, 28 (E), 29 (M&E)
Overture - La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Les dieux mendiants, Le coq d'or, Bolero, La concurrence

October 29
Bolero included in performances according to Potter listing and advertisements in programme
NLA - No separate Cast list held

October 31, November 1 (E), November 2 (M&E)
Overture - The Impresario (Mozart)
Les sylphides, Bolero, Scheherazade, Le mariage d'Aurore

November 3, 4 (E), 5 (M&E)
Overture - Hungarian folk dances (Weiner)
Le lac des cygnes, Petrouchka
Orchestra - Danze ed aria antiche (Respighi)
Union Pacific **

November 7, 8 (E), 9 (M&E)
Overture - Fete Polonaise (Chabrier)
Symphonie fantastique, La spectre de la rose
Orchestral interlude - Kamarinskaya (Glinka)
Danses slaves et tziganes

November 7, 8 (E), 9 (M&E)
Overture - Fete Polonaise (Chabrier)
Les Cent Baisers, Symphonie fantastique,
La spectre de la rose
Orchestral interlude - Kamarinskaya (Glinka)
Danses slaves et tziganes

November 10, 11 (E),12 (M&E)
Overture - Midsummer night's dream (Mendelssohn)
Papillons **, Le coq d'or, Le mariage d'Aurore

November 14, 15 (E), 16 (M&E)
Overture - La Cenerentola (Rossini)
Les sylphides, Les presages, Protee, Union Pacific

November 17, 18 (E), 19 (M&E), 21 (E)
Overture - Capriccio Espagnol (Rimsky-Korsakoff)
Le lac des cygnes, Cendrillon, Le mariage d'Aurore

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SYDNEY
Theatre Royal
November 25, 1938 – January 26, 1939

Publications

Magazine programme

The Magazine programme for the Sydney season is consistently 48 pages.

Two covers were used. One is a colour reproduction of a pastel/crayon drawing by Daryl Lindsay of a ballet dancer on stage. The other cover appears briefly towards the end of the ballet season, from January 20 onwards. It is plain white with brown lettering with the name of the company.

The contents include stories of the ballets, and biographies of leading dancers. Photographs of members of the company are more numerous than in the Melbourne Magazine programme and include Irina Baronova (a different portrait to the one used in the Melbourne season ), Tatiana Riabouchinska , Antal Dorati, Anton Dolin, David Lichine, Tamara Grigorieva, Michel Fokine, Yura Lavovsky, Lisa Serova, Paul Petroff, Roman Jaskinsky, Vladimir Launitz, Anna Volkova, and Sono Osato.

Cast lists

Cast lists cover programs of ballets and casts for 6 nights seasons. In mid January they change to 3 night seasons, with the program changing once a week.
NLA – The most complete set of Cast lists are held in the bound volumes at JCW/BS as indicated below.

Advertising material

Four fold large brochure for season. Red and yellow. Illustrated with photos of stars and scenes from ballets. Full repertoire listed, ticket prices.

Season

November 25, 26, 28, 30 (E), 26, Dec. 1 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Le coq d'or, Le marriage d'Aurore

December 2,5,6,8(E), 3,7,(M&E)
Papillons, Symphonie fantastique, Protee, Prince Igor

December 9,12,13,15, (E), 10,14 (M&E)
Les femmes de bonne humeur, Le spectre de la rose, Union Pacific

December 16,19,20,22 (E), 17,21 (M&E)
Overture - Capriccio Espagnol (Rimsky-Korsakoff)
La concurrence, Le lac des cygnes, Petrouchka

December 23,27,29 (E), 24,26,28 (M&E)
Jeux d'enfants, Les presages, Cendrillon

December 30, January 2,3,5 (E). December 31, January 4 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Le fils prodigue *, Cendrillon

January 6, 9, 10, 12, (E), 7,11 (M&E)
Les dieux mendiants, Choreartium, Le mariage d'Aurore

January 13,16 (E) 14 (M&E)
Carnaval, Symphonie fantastique, Scuola di ballo

January 17,9 (E), 18 (M&E)
Les cent baisers, Le fils prodigue, Scheherazade

January 20,23 (E), 21 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Le coq d'or, Le spectre de la rose, Danses slaves et tziganes

January 24,26 (E), 25 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Petrouchka, Protee, Le mariage d'Aurore

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NEW ZEALAND
(February, 1939 – March, 1939)

Publications

Souvenir book

"New Zealand season 1939. The Covent Garden Russian Ballet.
32 page ‘Programme.’ Cover illustration in red and brown, drawing of the interior of a theatre including tiered boxes and curtain.
Contents include same biographies, and photos of principal dancers as used in Australian Magazine programmes. Also included is a photo montage of 17 portraits and scenes from performances and rehearsal under title "Come back stage and meet the famous Covent Garden Russian Ballet".
Page 32 includes a reproduction of the Christmas card designed by Daryl Lindsay used by members of the company. It depicts koalas as dancers taking a bow on stage with a lizard as the conductor.

The repertoire for the New Zealand season is listed in the Souvenir book as comprising three programs:-
Programme No. 1. Carnaval, Le lac des cygnes, Cendrillon
Programme No. 2. Les dieux mendiants, Scheherazade, Le mariage d’Aurore
Programme No. 3. Les sylphides, Les presages, Union Pacific

Cast lists are included under each ballet.
NB. The itinerary of the NZ tour with dates and venues is not given in the Souvenir book.

Advertising brochure

3 folds. Printed on both sides. Issued for the Grand Opera House, Wellington season commencing Saturday February 18, 1939 for "…eleven nights and special matinees". Same cover and art work as the souvenir book described above, including the same photo montage but with one additional photo. One fold has three large photographs of scenes from Aurora’s wedding, Les sylphides, and Scheherazade. Brochure includes ticket prices and booking information.

Single sheet colour reproduction "Daryl Lindsay’s impression of a dancer". Dated "New Zealand 1939". Same image as used on cover of Sydney Magazine programme.

Single sheet on yellow paper announcement the presentation at the matinee February 25th, of "Le spectre de la rose" due to "…hundreds of requests". Starring Paul Petroff and Tatiana Ribouchinska.

Program

Cover title – "Maurice Ralph presents a Group of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet late of the J C Williamson Theatres Ltd and Royal Opera, Covent Garden, London". 4 fold with insert of programme (ie the repertoire). Photos of Valeri Shaievsky, Petruche Orlova, Raissa Kousnetzova and Eduard Sobichewsky, plus pianist Feodor Pellack. Two statements in the brochure record that this company toured to "the provincial towns" and the "the smaller centres" but the exact itinerary is not given. The programme in the insert lists solos, and pas de deux from Les sylphides, Les matelots, Tarantella, Blue bird, Carnaval, Spectre de la rose, Sleeping beauty, as well as 8 other special dances and instrumental solos.

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MELBOURNE
His Majesty’s Theatre
March 29,1939 –April 12, 1939
Return season

Publications

Magazine programme

The Magazine programmes for the return Melbourne season vary between 34 and 38 pages. Text and photos of the company are variations on those already used earlier in programmes on the tour.

Two covers are used. One is a sepia photograph of a scene from the ballet Francesca da Rimini. The other is a colour cover with the head of a blonde woman, an orchid and string of pearls. This latter cover was used widely for other JCW Magazine programmes at the time. In some issues there is an additional eight page insert advertising the London Casino Revue appearing at the King’s Theatre from April 8.

Cast lists

Cast lists cover programs of ballets for three or four night seasons.

Invitation

Small slip of paper addressed "Dear Balletomane" inviting patrons to the "first entertainment sponsored by the Ballet Club of Victoria" at the Comedy Theatre on a Sunday night (date not given). Dancers Dolin and Algeranoff "…have promised to attend.." and to give lectures on ballet and Japanese dancing respectively.
Loose insert in Magazine programme with season of March 29-April 1.

Advertising

Single sheet – "Academy of Russian Ballet opening soon in Melbourne by Edward Borovansky Member of Covent Garden Russian Ballet. Details will be announced later…". Loose insert into Magazine programme with season April 3-5.

Season

March 25,27,28 (E)
Carnaval, Choreartium, Le mariage d'Aurore
Conductor Launitz for Le mariage d'Aurore

March 29, April (M&E), March 30,31 (E)
Le lac des cygnes, Le fils prodigue, Cendrillon

April 3,4 (E), 5 (M&E)
Les dieux mendiants, Symphonie fantastique, Le spectre de la rose, Les femmes de bonne humeur

April 6 (E), 8,10 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Les presages, Protee, Cendrillon

April 11 (M&E)
The Gods go a-begging, The prodigal son, Le spectre de la rose, Le mariage d'Aurore.
Listed in Potter and in advertisements in the cast list of the previous program as "Farewell performances"

April 12 (M)
Dieux mendiants, The prodigal son, La spectre de la rose, Le mariage d'Aurore

April 12 (E)
Le lac des cygnes, Symphonie fantastique, Le spectre de la rose, Le mariage d'Aurore
Cast list is headed "Farewell performance"

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ADELAIDE
Theatre Royal
April 13,1939 – April 26, 1939

Publications

Souvenir programme

For the Adelaide season a 32 page Souvenir programme was issued. The cover was a reproduction in red and brown of an interior of a theatre seen from the stage with draped curtains and boxes (the same as the New Zealand cover). The contents included details of the company, photographs and biographies of dancers, conductors and key management personnel which had appeared in earlier programs.

The repertoire of the Adelaide season is listed as four programs which have been matched with the repertoire listed in Potter. (Potter’s listing is based on advertisements in the newspaper The Advertiser (Adelaide).

NB. Cast lists appear for each ballet in the Souvenir programme.

Season

April 13, 14 (E) 15 (M&E)
Programme No. 1. Listed in Souvenir programme
Carnaval, Le lac des cygnes, Cendrillon

April 17, 18 (E), 19 (M&E)
Programme No.2. Listed in Souvenir programme
Les sylphides, Les presages, Le coq d'or

April 20,21 (M&E)
Programme No. 3. Listed in Souvenir programme
Les dieux mendiants, Union Pacific, Protee, Le mariage d'Aurore

April 24, 25, (E), 26 (M&E)
Programme No.4. Listed in Souvenir programme
Les femmes de bonne humeur, Scheherazade, La spectre de la rose.
The Souvenir programme announces that "The final ballet on this farewell programme to be selected by popular request".
Potter lists the ballet selected and performed as Les presages

April 27
Separate programme issued. Farewell performance of principal artists.
Midnight performance.
Overture - The impresario (Mozart)
Les sylphides (with Baronova, Riabouschinska, Dolin)
L'apres-midi d'un faune (with Lichine)
Bolero (with Dolin)
Le lac des cygnes (with Baronova, Dolin, Ismailoff, Pierce)
Jeux d'enfants (with Riabouschinska, Lichine)
Le mariage d'Aurore (with Baronova, Riabouchinska, Dolin, Belsky)
NLA - Holds 2 versions one on blue paper, one on cream paper


THIRD AUSTRALASIAN TOUR

COLONEL W. DE BASIL’S COVENT GARDEN BALLET

Also known as COLONEL W. DE BASIL’S BALLET COMPANY

Also known as THE ORIGINAL BALLET RUSSE

Summary - December 1939 –August 1940. Touring to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney

PERSONNEL

Dancers - as listed in Cast lists

Ballerinas

Maria Azrova, Tatiana Bechenova, Kira Bounina , Lydia Couprina Alexandra Denisova, Nina Golovina , Marguerite Gontcharova, Tamara Grigorieva, Irina Lavrova, Anna Leontieva, Tatiana Leskova, Helena Lineva, Ludmila Lvova , Natasha Melnikova, Olga Morisova, Genevieve Moulin, Vera Nelidova, Vera Nemtchinova , Lara Obidenna, Sonia Orlova , Sono Osato, Nina Popova ,Galina Razoumova, Tatiana Riabouchinska, Nadia Smirnova, Natasha Sobinova, Tatiana Stepanova, Marina Svetlova, Lubov Tchernicheva, Tamara Toumanova, Nina Verchinina, Anna Volkova , Irina Zarova, Lubov Zlatina

Male dancers

Gregory Alexandroff, H Algeranoff, Alberto Alonso, Lorand Andahazy, Boris Belsky, Edouard Borovansky, Nicolas Ivangine, Vladimir Irman, Serge Ismailoff , Roman Jasinsky, Marian Ladre, Yura Lazofsky, David Lichine, Serge Lifar Narcisse Matouchak, Vassily Nicolaieff, Nicolas Orloff, Michel Panaieff, Paul Petroff, Dimitri Rostoff, Borislav Runanine, Igor Schwezoff, Georges Skibine, Sviatslov Toumine, Oleg Tupine, Serge Unguer, Kiril Vassilkovsky, Anton Vlasoff

Dance staff

Choreographer – David Lichne
Regisseur-General – Serge Grigorieff

Music staff

Conductor – Antal Dorati
Assistant conductors – Max Goberman, Gabriel Joffe (for Sydney return season July-August 1940)

Management

O.B.R. Limited – Chairman T.H.Bischoff
Director – R.B.Popkiss
Colonel de Basil’s Ballet Company – Founder and Director General – Col. W.de Basil

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Note on holdings of publications

ALL publications listed below are held and filed in the National Library’s PROMPT collection.

The few cases of publications NOT being held in the PROMPT collection have been indicated. In these cases the details of the program performed have been taken from Potter – see Sources section at the end of this Finding Aid.

For details on the file arrangement and access to the PROMPT collection refer to the Access section of this Finding Aid

----------------------------------------------------------

TOUR

SYDNEY
Theatre Royal
December 30, 1939 – March 13, 1940

Publications

Souvenir book

‘Souvenir completed by Claude Kingston’.
Cover title - "Souvenir Col.W.de Basil’s Ballet. Australia-New Zealand 1939-40".
Cover illustration in light brown of corps de ballet by Norman Lindsay. Printed by Peerless Press, Sydney? 38 pages.
Inserted as the first page is a one page colour advertisement for the exhibition "Art for theatre and ballet" at David Jones. Design for advertisement by Loudon Sainthill.
Page three has an etching by Harold Byrne of crowds arriving at a theatre – the name ‘Theatre Royal’ has been over-printed at the top of the page.
Contains one page "Introduction" by Arnold Haskell on de Basil. No other text.
Portrait photographs (63) of dancers and management.
Photos of ballets in performance –Les sylphides, Paganini, Good humoured ladies, Protee, Symphonie fantastique, Aurora’s wedding, Swan lake, Francesca da Rimini, Les presages, Choreartium.
A centre spread contains a large montage of photos of the company on tour. A map of the Americas titled "The tour of 1932-1936 " shows tours to locations in Canada and USA. A map of the rest of the world titled "The tour of 1936-1940" shows the companies’ tours in Europe and to Australia and New Zealand, although the tour route and locations shown are not complete accounts of the antipodean tours.
One other copy includes the words "Theatre Royal " on the back cover.
NLA – Three copies held including one signed by several members of the company

Covent Garden book

A copy of the Russian ballet program for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, June-September, 1938 was signed in Sydney in 1939 by members of the company who toured to Australia. Forty- six signatures are included. The program includes colour reproductions of designs for the following ballets which were all subsequently performed in Australia - Coq d’or, Francesca da Rimini, Symphonie fantastique, Choreartium, Cimarosiana, Jeux d’enfants, Les cent baisers.

Art for Theatre & Ballet

A souvenir season program for the Theatre Royal, Sydney. This program features “Many designs, Marquettes, and Costumes lent by Colonel W. de Basil” to the Exhibition “Art for Theatre and Ballet”. The program includes a repertoire listing, portraits of all the principles and scenes from several performances. 38 pages, [1940].

Magazine programme

Two covers were issued in Sydney. One featuring a brown photo of the corps de ballet in a scene (from Les sylphides?) credited to photographer Lionel Lunn. This cover bears the name "Colonel W. De Basil’s Covent Garden Ballet". A copy of this Magazine programme has a cast list for the opening program stapled in, and pages numbered in sequence. This was presumably issued for opening night, December 30.

A second cover, and more commonly used, is a reproduction of a red painting of the interior of a theatre seen from the stage with tiers of boxes framed by draped curtains. This cover bears the name "Colonel W. de Basil’s Ballet Company from Royal Opera, Covent Garden. Australia-New Zealand 1939-40". Both Magazine programmes are 32 pages. Photographs include :

Cast lists

Cast lists provide the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various periods, from one to six nights. Some cast lists have individual dates printed at the top of the first page – these dates have been noted.

NLA – The most complete set of Cast lists are held in the bound volumes at JCW/BS as indicated below.

Advertising material

One small sheet announcing the ballet Francesca da Rimini "For the first time in Sydney". Photo of Lubov Tchernicheva in costume, "Guest artist performing the role she created in this ballet". Loose insert in Magazine programme for January 3.

Small brochure headed "The greatest ballet tour in history". Includes list of leading dancers, ticket prices, etc. Three copies with slightly variant texts and repertoires for different periods in the Sydney season are held.
NB. These advertised repertoires do not necessarily tally with the repertoire in the final cast lists.

Single sheet headed "Colonel W. De Basil’s Ballet Company", comprising black and white portrait photos of Nina Verchinina, Olga Morosova, and Sono Osato. Loose insert into Magazine programme for January 5.

One sheet advertisement/invitation for an ‘Exhibition of art for theatre and ballet’ at David Jones, George Street, February 5th "for one month".

It consisted of "500 original décor, costume, setting and backcloth designs" from productions of de Basil, Vic Wells Ballet, C.B.Cochran etc… Artists represented include Benois, Beaton, Messel, Fedorovitch, Goncharova and the Australian Loudon Sainthill.

Single sheet headed "Memories of the ballet by Lionel Lunn", advertising the pictures of the ballet company by Lionel Lunn for sale in the foyer of the theatre. Inserted in JCW/BS Vol.28 as March 7.

Season

December 30, 1939, January 2,4,5 (E), 3 (M&E),1940
Les sylphides, Paganini, Le mariage d'Aurore
Piano solo in Paganini - Eric Landerer
NLA - Cast list covering all dates listed above included in Magazine programme, pages 15-18

January 5,8,9,11 (E), 6,10 (M&E)
Carnaval or Les sylphides, Paganini, Le spectre de la rose, Les femmes de bonne humeur
Piano solo in Paganini - Eric Landerer
NLA - Cast lists held as follows -
- Cast lists dated January 5, 6 (E), 8, 9,10 (M&E) held in JCW/BS Vol.28
- NB. Cast list dated January 6 (M) has Les sylphides as first ballet

January 12,15,16,18 (E), 13,17 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Cimarosiana, Protee, Cendrillon
Harp solo in Protee - Joyce Lang
NLA - Cast lists held dated for all performances as listed above held in JCW/BS Vol. 28

January 19,22,23,25 (E), 20,24 (M&E)
Les sylphides, L'oiseau de feu, L'apres-midi d'un faune, Prince Igor
Flute solo for L'apres-midi d'un faune - Americo Gagliardi
NLA - Cast lists held dated for all performances as listed above held in JCW/BS Vol. 28

January 26,29,30, February 1 (E), 27,31 (M&E)
Les dieux mendiants, Francesca da Rimini **, Le spectre de la rose, Les femmes de bonne humeur or Le mariage d'Aurore or Cendrillon
NLA - Cast lists held dated January 26, 29, 30, 31 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol. 28 have Les femmes de bonne humeur as last ballet
- Cast list for January 27 held in JCW/BS Vol.28 has Cendrillon as last ballet
- Cast lists for January 31, February 1 held in JCW/BS Vol.28 have Le mariage d'Aurore as last ballet

February 2 (E), 3(M&E)
Jeux d'enfants, Choreartium, Cimarosiana
NLA - Cast lists held dated Friday February 2 in JCW/BS Vol.28
- Cast lists for Saturday February 3 (M&E) held as separates

February 5,6,8 (E), 7 (M&E)
Paganini, Jeux d'enfants, Choreartium
NLA - Cast lists held for dates listed above in JCW/BS Vol.28

February 9,12,13,15 (E),10,14 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Les presages, Protee, Le Danube bleu
Harp solo in Protee -- Joyce Lang
NLA - Cast lists held for dates listed above in JCW/BS Vol.28

February 16,19-22
Papillons, Le coq d'or, Icare*, Prince Igor
NLA - Cast lists held for dates listed above in JCW/BS Vol.28

February 17 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Le coq d'or, Protee, Le Danube bleu
Special performances in aid of Red Cross
NLA - Cast lists held in JCW/BS Vol.28

February 23, 26, 27, 29 (E), 24 & 28 (M&E)
Les cent baisers, Symphonie fantastique, Pavane*, Le Danube bleu
NLA - Cast lists for dates listed above held in JCW/BS Vol.28

March 1,4,5,7 (E), 2,6 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Graduation ball *, Petrouchka.
NLA - Cast lists for dates listed above held in JCW/BS Vol.28

March 8,9
Le lac des cygnes, Scheherazade, Le spectre de la rose, Le Danube bleu
NLA - Cast lists for dates listed above held in JCW/BS Vol.28

March 11
Le lac des cygnes, Scheherazade, Le spectre de la rose, Graduation ball
NLA - Cast list held dated March 11 JCW/BS Vol.28 and as separate

March 12
Le mariage d'Aurore, Les presages, Protee, Graduation ball
NB. Program decided as a "Result of plebiscite"
NLA -Cast list held in JCW/BS Vol.28

March 12
"Midnight performance for Polish Relief organised by Col. W.de Basil and Polish members of the Company"
Seventeen Divertissements performed including world premiere of Etude choreographique
Choreography by Verchinina to music of Handel.
NLA - Program held - one folded sheet (4 pages), line drawing on cover by Y.Lazowsky. Back cover lists members of the Committee for Midnight Concert

March 13
Le lac des cygnes, Le mariage d'Aurore, Protee, Le Danube bleu
NB. Program decided by "Result of plebiscite"
NLA - Cast list held in JCW/BS Vol.28

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MELBOURNE
His Majesty’s Theatre
March 14,1940 – June 4, 1940

Publications

Souvenir book

Cover title - "Souvenir Col.W.de Basil’s Ballet. Australia-New Zealand 1939-40".
Cover illustration in light brown of corps de ballet by Norman Lindsay. Printed by Speciality Press, Sydney? 50 pages. Back cover - Souvenir ‘completed by Claude Kingston’.
Eleven pages of Melbourne based advertising.
Inserted at page 8 is a one page colour advertisement for the exhibition "Art for theatre and ballet", "…to be held in Melbourne during the season". Design by Loudon Sainthill.
Page three has one photo of the audience at the Theatre Royal, Sydney attending a performance of the company and another of the dancers taking curtain calls with de Basil. Contains one page "Introduction" by Arnold Haskell on de Basil. Inserted at page 34 is a half page, blue photograph of corps de ballet from "Les sylphides".
Portrait photographs (63) of dancers and management.
Photos of ballets in performance –Les sylphides, Paganini, Good humoured ladies, Protee, Symphonie fantastique, Aurora’s wedding, Swan lake, Francesca da Rimini, Les presages, Choreartium.
NB. Same photographs as in Sydney edition but in different order.
Centre spread contains large montage of photos of the company on tour. A map of the Americas titled "The tour of 1932-1936" shows tours to locations in Canada and USA. A map of the rest of the world titled "The tour of 1936-1940" shows the companies’ tours in Europe and to Australia and New Zealand, although the tour route and locations shown are not complete accounts of the antipodean tours.

Magazine programme

42 pages with cover of blonde woman, orchid and pearls. Contains stories of ballets and portraits of leading dancers and personnel.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various periods, from one night to eight nights. Some cast lists have individual dates printed at the top of the first page – these dates have been noted.

Advertising material

One sheet advertisement/invitation for an ‘Exhibition of art for theatre and ballet’ at the Exhibition Gallery, Mural Hall, The Myer Emporium, Melbourne, April,18 –May 16. It consisted of "500 original décor, costume, setting and backcloth designs" from productions of de Basil, Vic Wells Ballet, C.B.Cochran etc… Artists represented include Benois, Beaton, Messel, Fedorovitch, Goncharova and the Australian Loudon Sainthill".
NLA – Several copies held, loosely inserted into Magazine programmes, eg. April 29

Season

March 14,15,18,19,21,22, (E), 16,20,23 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Paganini, Le mariage d’Aurore
NLA-Cast list for 20 March

March 25,26,28,29 (E), 27,30 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Francesca da Rimini, Pavane, Le Danube bleu

April 1,2,4,5 (E), 3,6 (M&E)
Cimarosiana, Les presages, Protee, Prince Igor
Harp solo in Protee - Adrian Bendall

April 8,9,11,12 (E), 10,13 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Le coq d’or, Graduation ball

April 15,16,18,19, (E), 17,20 (M&E)
Les femmes de bonne humeur, Symphonie fantastique, Le mariage d’Aurore
NB. Cf. Potter’s listing which substitutes Graduation ball for Le mariage d’Aurore on April 19 and 20

April 22,23,25,26 (E), 24,27 (M&E)
Les dieux mendiants, L’oiseau de feu, Graduation ball

April 29,30, May 1 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Francesca da Rimini, L’apres-midi d’un faune, Le Danube bleu

May 2,3, (E) 4 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Paganini, L’apres-midi d’un faune, Le Danube bleu
Flute solo for L’ apres-midi d’un faune - Americo Gagliardi

May 6,7,9,10 (E), 8,11 (M&E)
Papillons, Petrouchka, Le spectre de la rose, Graduation ball

May 9
Le lac des cygnes, Divertissements, Graduation ball
Special charity matinee in aid of Royal Melbourne Hospital and Children’s Hospital.
NLA – Photocopy of program held. Original in National Gallery of Australia Research Library

May 13,14,16,17 (E), 15,18 (M&E)
Carnaval, Thamar, Icare, Cendrillon/Le coq d’or
NLA – Two Cast lists issued for the period May 13-18
- One Cast list announces season "For six nights…13-18 May" with Cendrillon as final ballet
- Another Cast list announces season "For three nights ..16-18 May" has Le coq d’or" as final ballet.
Both Cast lists direct patrons to "See dailies for Matinees"
NB. Potter also notes that Le coq d’or replaced Cendrillon for some performances

May 20, 21,23,24 (E), 22,25 (M&E)
Le pavillon **, Scheherazade, Choreartium

May 27,28
Le lac des cygnes, L’oiseau de feu, Scuola di ballo

May 29 (M&E), 30 (E)
Les sylphides, Paganini, Scuola di ballo
Piano solo in Paganini -- Erich Landerer

May 31 (E), June 1 (M&E)
Les sylphides, Icare, Les presages, Le Danube bleu

June 3,4 (E)
Graduation ball, Le coq d’or, Le mariage d’Aurore
NLA—Two Cast lists issued for June 3,4
- One Cast list has order of ballets as Le mariage d’Aurore, Le coq d’or , Graduation ball
- Another Cast list headed "Final performance" has order of ballets as Graduation ball, Le coq d’or, Le mariage d’Aurore

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ADELAIDE
Theatre Royal
June 5,1940 – June 22, 1940

Publications

Magazine programme

24 pages. Cover – red scene of theatre auditorium from a stage as per Sydney and Melbourne Magazine programmes. Includes stories of the ballets and 30 portrait photographs of dancers and members of the music staff.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various periods, from three to four nights. Some Cast lists have individual dates printed at the top of the first page – these dates have been noted in the list which follows.

Advertising

One sheet advertisement/invitation for an ‘Exhibition of art for theatre and ballet’ at the Australian Art Gallery, 97 Rundle St, Adelaide, June 18-July 2 – inserted into Cast list for June 22. It consisted of "500 original décor, costume, setting and backcloth designs" from productions of de Basil, Vic Wells Ballet, C.B.Cochran etc… Artists represented include Benois, Beaton, Messel, Fedorovitch, Goncharova and the Australian Loudon Sainthill".

Season

June 5,6,7,8
Les sylphides, Paganini, Le Danube bleu

June 10,11 (E), 12 (M&E)
Le lac des cygnes, Francesca da Rimini, Le spectre de la rose, Graduation ball

June 13, 14 (E), 15 (M&E)
Le pavillon, Petrouchka, Graduation ball
Piano solo for Petrouchka – Dorothy Mendoza

June 17, 18
Les femmes de bonne humeur, Les presages, Pavane, Le mariage d’Aurore
NLA – No holdings of Cast list. Program taken from Potter

June 20, 21
Le sylphides, Le coq d’or, Protee, Le Danube bleu
NLA – No holdings of Cast list. Program taken from Potter

June 22 (M&E)
Le mariage d'Aurore, Le coq d’or, Graduation ball

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BRISBANE
His Majesty’s Theatre
June 26- July 11, 1940

Publications

Magazine programme

24 pages. Brown-sepia cover photo of corps de ballet (from Les sylphides?), photo credited to Lionel Lunn. Cover title – "Colonel W. de Basil’s Covent Garden Ballet." Cf. Title page "Colonel W. de Basil’s Ballet Company from Royal Opera Covent Garden".

Included stories of ballets and 31 photo portraits of dancers and musical staff.

NLA – Holds 2 versions of the Magazine programmes. Contents of the stories of the ballets vary and advertisements differ.

Cast lists

Cast lists provide the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various periods, from three to four nights. Some Cast lists have individual dates printed at the top of the first page – these dates have been noted.

Season

June 26,27,28 (E), 29 M&E)
Les sylphides, Cendrillon, Graduation ball

July 1,2,3
Paganini, Carnaval, Le Danube bleu, Le spectre de la rose
NLA—No holdings of Cast list. Program from Potter

July 4,5,(E), 6(M&E)
Francesca da Rimini, Le lac des cygnes, Protee, Le mariage d’Aurore

July 8,9,10
Les femmes de bonne humeur, Les presages, Graduation ball
NLA –No holdings of Cast list. Program taken from Potter

July 11
Le mariage d’Aurore, Les presages, Graduation ball
NLA – No holdings of Cast list. Program taken from Potter

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SYDNEY
Theatre Royal
July 13,1940 - August 21, 1940
Return season

NB. Name of company is given as "Original Ballet Russe"

Publications

Magazine programmes

24 pages. Red cover of reproduction of painting of a view of a theatre auditorium from the stage with ballerina peeking around corner of curtain signed ‘Bernie Bragg’. NB. Cover and title page has "Original Ballet Russe, Director General Col. W. de Basil".

One edition of the Magazine programme has stories of the ballets and photo portraits of the company. Another edition has stories of the ballets on one and half pages with the remainder taken up with advertising for forthcoming attraction "Ice Follies 1940".

Cast lists

Cast lists provide the ‘Programme’ of ballets and casts covering performances over various short periods. Some cast lists have individual dates printed at the top of the first page – these dates have been noted.
NB. Cast lists have "Original Ballet Russe" as company name.
NLA – The most complete set of Cast lists are held in the bound volumes at JCW/BS as indicated below.

Season

July 13-17
Les sylphides, Icare, Les presages, Graduation ball
NLA –Cast lists held for 13 (E), 15, 17 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

July 18-20
Le lac des cygnes, Le fils prodigue, Le spectre de la rose, Scuola di ballo
NLA – Cast lists held for 18, 19, 20 (E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

July 22-24
Cotillon, Paganini, Le Danube bleu
NLA –Cast lists held for 22, 23, 24, (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

July 25-27
Le pavillon, Paganini, Etude, Jeux d’enfants
NLA – Cast lists held for 25, 26, 27 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

July 29- August 3
Le mariage d’Aurore, Lutte eternelle, Graduation ball
NLA - Cast lists held for 29, 30, August 1, 2, 3 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 5-7
Les sylphides, Symphonie fantastique, L’apres-midi d’un faune,
Les cent baisers
NLA –Cast lists held for 5, 6, 7 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 8-10
Le lac des cygnes, Thamar, Protee, Les dieux mendiants
NLA - Cast lists for 8, 9, 10 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 12-14
Francesca da Rimini, Pavane, Coppelia
NLA - Cast lists held for 12, 13, 14 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 15-17
Carnaval, Les presages, Coppelia
NLA – Cast list held for15, 16, 17 (M&E) in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 19
Paganini, Coppelia, Le Danube bleu
NLA – No holdings of Cast list. Program taken from Potter and advertisement in previous cast lists

August 20
Paganini, Coppelia, Etude, Graduation ball
NLA –Cast list held in JCW/BS Vol.29

August 21
Paganini, Coppelia, Le mariage d’Aurore
NLA – Cast lists dated Wednesday matinee August 21 held as separate and in JCW/BS Vol.29

September 19
Theatre Royal
"Farewell Original Ballet Russe. Midnight performance"
Carnaval, Divertissements (10), Le mariage d’ Aurore
NLA – Program held in JCW/BS Vol.29. 4 sheets folded, cream parchment with blue printed text


ACCESS :

The PROMPT Collection

The PROMPT collection is the name given to the National Library’s collection of programs and ephemera relating to the history of Australia’s performing arts and culture.

Files in the PROMPT collection are arranged in one sequence alphabetically by name. This sequence incorporates a mixture of names of companies, individuals, shows, and some venues. An on-line listing of PROMPT files is in preparation.

Short, descriptive minimal level entries for a selection of individual PROMPT files are progressively being entered on to the National Library’s OPAC.

Detailed Finding Aids for significant PROMPT files are being compiled and added to the National Library’s Web Page. This Ballets Russes Finding Aid is one such example.

Material from the PROMPT collection is available for use through the Petherick Reading Room, Ground Floor. Readers should complete a Petherick Reading Room call slip indicating the individual PROMPT file required and use the material in the Petherick Reading Room. It is important to note that individual theatre programs and ephemeral items are not listed or available separately. Using the PROMPT collection files is a browsing exercise in which the user may be confronted with a single item in a manila folder or a large number of folders in many boxes.

The Ballets Russes files in the PROMPT collection are arranged as follows : -

Ballets Russes
Tour No. 1
1936-37
(comprises 3 boxes)

Ballets Russes
Tour No. 2
1938-39
(comprises 3 boxes)

Ballets Russes
Tour No. 3
1939-40
(comprises 3 boxes)

Researchers should request files using these above headings, example:

PROMPT
Ballets Russes
Tour no…

The most complete holdings of Cast lists for certain portions of the three tours are held in the bound volumes of the JCW segment of the PROMPT Collection. These are referred to in the Finding Aid as "JCW/BS Vol …".

Copies should be requested in the following manner, example:

PROMPT
JCW/BS Volume….


SOURCES:

Published – Other related materials

PUBLISHED

Prime sources used in compiling the Ballets Russes Finding Aid

Pask, Edward H. Enter the colonies, dancing : a history of dance in Australia, 1835-1940 (Melbourne : Oxford University Press, 1979), p. 135-169.
N+ 793.30994 P282

Potter, Michelle. The Russian Ballet in Australia 1936-1940 : sources for modernism in Australian art [manuscript]. 1987. ( Thesis (B.A.)—Australian National University, 1987). Contains an important appendix entitled: Appendix II. The Australian repertoire, 1936-1940 : chronology, leaves 113-143.
MS 8867

Walker, Kathrine Sorley. De Basil’s Ballets Russes (London : Hutchinson, 1982)
N 792.80947 W232

Other published sources

Cargher, John. Opera and ballet in Australia (Stanmore, NSW : Cassell Australia, 1977) p. 217-222.
Nq+ 782.10994 C276

Companion to theatre in Australia (Stanmore, NSW : Currency Press, 1995) - "J.C. Williamson’s": p. 299-303.
NL 792.0994 C73

From Russia with love : costumes for the Ballets russes 1909-1933 / [edited by] Susan Hall … )Canberra : National Gallery of Australia, 1999)
NLq 792.80940749471 F931

Garcia-Marquez, Vicente. The Ballets Russes : Colonel de Basil's Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, 1932-1952 (New York : A. Knopf, 1990)
YY 792.80944949 G216

Haskell, Arnold L. Dancing round the world : memoirs of an attempted escape from ballet / Arnold L. Haskell ; [drawings by Daryl Lindsay] (London : V. Gollancz, 1937)
N 792.80924 H349d

Healy, Robyn. From studio to stage : costumes and designs from the Russian Ballet in the Australian National Gallery / Robyn Healy and Michael Lloyd (Canberra : Australian National Gallery, 1990)
Nq 792.84 H434

Potter, Michelle. A Full house : the ESSO guide to the Performing Arts Collections of the National Library of Australia (Canberra : The Library, 1991)
NLq 792.80280994 P868

Potter, Michelle. A Passion for dance (Canberra : National Library of Australia, 1997)
NLq 792.80280994 P868

Tait, Viola. A Family of brothers : the Taits and J.C. Williamson : a theatre history (Melbourne : Heinemann, 1971)
N+ 792.0994 T13

West, John. Theatre in Australia (Stanmore, NSW : Cassell Australia, 1978)
Nq+ 792.0994 W518

OTHER RELATED MATERIALS

Biographical files
Biographical material on some of the personnel associated with the Ballets Russes tours are available in the Library’s biographical cuttings file. They are accessed through the National Library’s OPAC and retrieved through the Petherick Reading Room.

Film and Video
Another beginning [motion picture] (Sydney : Australian Broadcasting Commission) [n.d.] 54 min.
FLM <A10114785> D542 at Cinemedia, Melbourne

The Ballets Russes in Australia [video recording] : an avalanche of dancing (Canberra : National Film and Sound Archive ; National Library of Australia, 1999 ) 1 videocassette (VHS) (ca. 50 min.)
Nmt 3010

Internet links
Australia Dancing http://www.australiadancing.org/

Manuscript collections
Manuscript collections of personnel associated with the Ballets Russes tours include Harcourt Algeranoff, Edouard Borovansky, Margaret Walker, J.C. Williamson (Firm). The Geoffrey Ingram Ballet Archive contains additional material on the Ballets Russes tours. All are accessed through the Library’s OPAC with retrieval through the Manuscript Reading Room, Second Floor. Finding Aids for these collections are accessed through the Library’s Web Site.

Newspapers
Newspapers contain articles, reviews of performances and social notes on the Ballets Russes tours. They are accessed through the Library’s OPAC with retrieval through the Newspaper and Microcopy Reading Room.

Oral History
Oral history interviews of some of the personnel associated with the Ballets Russes tours include Paul Hammond, Geoffrey Ingram, Valrene Tweedie, Max Dupain, Kira Bousloff, Tamara Tchinarova, Irina Baronova and Edward Pask. They are accessed through the Library’s OPAC with retrieval through the Oral History Reading Room.

Pictorial
Pictorial images of some of the personnel associated with the Ballets Russes tours include Edouard Borovansky, Irina Baronova, David Lichine, Max Dupain, Anton Dolin, Helene Kirsova, Valentina Blinova, Kira Bousloff, Valrene Tweedie. They are accessed through the Library’s OPAC with retrieval through the Pictorial Reading Room and/or as digital copies online.


USE OF THE LIBRARY’S OPAC

For external users the National Library’s OPAC is available through the Library’s website http://ilms.nla.gov.au/webpac/ . This will guide users to the non-print and print sources.

The following search strategies are suggested to maximise efficient retrieval of Ballets Russes material on the OPAC.

Personal name searches of key personnel involved

 

Title keyword searches

Ballet(s) Russe(s)

 

Monte Carlo Russian Ballet

 

Covent Garden Russian Ballet

 

Original Ballet Russe

 

de Basil, de Basils

 

JC Williamson Firm

 

Educational Ballets

   

Subject keyword searches

Same as for title keyword searches, including

 

Ballet Australia History

 

Ballet companies Australia

 


Return to Australian Performing Arts (PROMPT) Collection

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