Brisbane Season: Rigoletto, Graduation Ball, Variations

SURPRISE IN BALLET TALENT

Review in The Courier-Mail, 12 September 1965

Miss Phyllis Danaher, producer for the Ballet Theatre of Queensland, usually succeeds in reaching high standards, and in introducing the elements of novelty and surprise.

Last night’s performance at the Rialto Theatre was no exception. Perhaps the greatest surprise of the evening was the astonishing richness of youthful talent revealed in the pleasant abstractions, and Greek patterns, of Caesar Franck’s “Symphonic Variations”.

Barbara Everson, Desley Hammond, Judy Lowe, Dayne Cory, Donald Kingston and Dennis Young were outstanding. Miss Danaher’s choreography in this ballet is extremely interesting, and the final tableau is masterly, both in conception and execution.

Miming good

In the ballet based on Verdi’s opera “Rigoletto” the classic style of miming was used to excellent effect, particularly by Dayne Cory in the title role. Guest artist Lexie Kunze, in the poignant role of Gilda, was enchanting.

Ronald Lindner, in a brilliant solo, effectively expressed the anger and vanity of the unpleasant Duke. Jean McEwan, as Maddalena, made a pleasing impression, and the court ladies in their gaily coloured costumes danced with appropriate elegance.

The third ballet was “Graduation Ball”. Dayne Cory as the demure but light-footed Headmistress (a role always taken by a male dancer), and Ronald Lindner as the General, made the comic “Flirtation Mazurka” a highlight.

Laurel Eastment and Dennis Young danced poetically in the romantic interlude, “The Sylphide and the Scotsman”.

Comedy Flair

Michele Carter revealed a flair for comedy in her “Impromptu”. Julie Roberts and Judy Lowe showed remarkable virtuosity in their performance of multiple fouettes, in the “Dance Competition”.

Youthful merriment and restlessness were amusingly expressed in “Perpetuum Mobile”, danced by Donald Kingston, Desley Hammond, Leanne Kluskie, Robyn Feeney and Katherine Ovsiannikoff.

The programme will be repeated today, at matinee and evening performances.

Courtesy Judith and Wendy Lowe