Swan Lake Act II, Symphony in C, Nightingale and the Rose

Extract from Artistic Director Phyllis Danaher's 1976 Annual Report

"Mr Leon Kellaway, Professor to the Dance for the Australian Ballet School, was commissioned to choreograph and produce for us his ballet, The Nightingale and the Rose.He was brought to Brisbane for two weeks from February 6 to 22. In addition to producing his ballet, he also gave company classes for the two weeks of his stay. After he left, Paul Wright kept the ballet in rehearsal after his Wednesday evening master classes.

"Swan Lake Act II was produced by Miss Phyllis Danaher and Miss Inara Svalbe and the principals being Mr Mal Czislowski and Miss Judy Lowe.

"Symphony in C was choreographed and produced by Miss Danaher and Miss Inara Svalbe, the principal part being danced by Miss Cheryl Boorman with Miss Dianne Craitem and Miss Barbara Lecatsas in the two soloist roles.

"Financial reasons took the company to the Schonell Theatre [on the Queensland University  campus at St Lucia]. However it was not a success financially and we would have been better to have taken the gamble and played at Her Majesty's Theatre.

"For this production we used the newly formed Queensland Orchestra, being the first company to so do: the season was conducted by our Musical Director, Mr Brian Stacey."

STANDARD OF BALLET GOOD

Review by Ken McKinnon

The Ballet Theatre opened its 1976 season with three ballets at Queensland University’s Schonell Theatre last night. Despite a few shaky and awkward moments, the production was a fine one overall, with the standard of dancing particularly good for a young company such as this.

The ballets were presented by students from dance studios of the Brisbane and Ipswich area, and will be repeated tomorrow night and Saturday night, with a Saturday afternoon matinee.

The first ballet on then program last night was act 2 of Swan Lake, with Judy Lowe as the swan queen and guest artist Mal Czislowski, as the prince. The four cygnets danced especially well.

Next was a ballet choreographed by Miss Phyllis Danaher, the company’s artistic director, and Miss Inara Svalbe, to the music of Bizet’s Symphony in C. A colourful dance, but not quite up to the standard of the rest of the production. Cheryl Boorman danced the lead role.

The last ballet was the Nightingale and the Rose, choreographed by Leon Kellaway. Glenda Kelly proved her talent in the role of the Nightingale.

Making its debut with the Ballet Theatre in this production is the Queensland Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Brian Stacey. The orchestra, formed to provide orchestral backing for Queensland performing arts companies, met with an enthusiastic welcome from last night’s audience.

Under the musical direction of Robert Keane the orchestra is bound to provide a very useful service to artistic productions in future.

Miss Danaher deserves praise for her efforts in putting this show together.

Review courtesy Dayne Cory Collection, SLQ.