Les Sylphides, Graduation Ball, The Nutcracker ON TOUR

BALLET BRILLIANT SUCCESS AT ROMA

Ovation followed ovation at the Hibernian Hall last Saturday as the Queensland Ballet Society’s production of “Nutcracker” drew towards its climax; and then the glamorous and exciting finale produced a sustained roar of applause that surpassed any audience appreciation previously heard at Roma.

The people of the West really opened their hearts to the company that had given them three hours of glorious ballet that incorporated all the tradition and colour and beauty of this highest of theatrical arts. “Graduation Ball”, “Les Sylphides” and “Nutcracker’ on the one programme was something never to be forgotten.

The exquisite skill, technique and grace of the stars, Lexie Kunze and Kenneth Tillson particularly in the Grand Pas de Deux in “Nutcracker” produced an extraordinary demonstration of enthusiasm as the audience poured forth its gratitude for dancing that was exciting and memorable. ... but the star material did not end with them. Meryl Hughes, who was lovely in “Les Sylphides”, and Kay Edgerton who was eager and dynamic, and Rodney Nation, who won the hearts of the audience with his rhythmic leaps and his entrechats, played essential parts in a performance of ballet that was outstanding.

And still the array of talent did not stop there. Those who saw the afternoon or evening performance will appreciate that in “Les Sylphides” they saw 18 other dancers of outstanding ability; this was understandable as apart from the professionals, most of the girls had their letters for ballet from the London Academy.

Undoubtedly the overall credit must go to the producer, Miss Phyllis Danaher, who produced miracles of precision with her ensembles. ... The three ballets were far beyond what the audience had expected; it was ballet of class, streamlined, faultless in timing and never a hitch in production.

Extract from the Roma review, April 1962.

Researcher and writer: Dr Christine Comans