AUSTRALIAN BALLET PREMIERE The Tales of Hoffman

Arts critic David Rowbotham gave a glowing review of BTQ’s Australian premiere of a new production of The Tales of Hoffman. He wrote in the Courier-Mail (November 17, 1978):

The Ballet Theatre of Queensland is presenting a beautiful dance theatre work at Her Majesty’s – a new ballet interpretation of Offenbach’s 19^th century opera “The Tales of Hoffman”.  This new production, colourful, symmetric, full of incident, is directed and choreographed by Inara Svalbe, who also so professionally dances the roles of all three of Hoffman’s “loves” in the musically glorious tales. The new musical adaptation is by the British composer and musician Ronald Hanmer, who now lives in Brisbane.

Rowbotham  praised guest artist Edward Miller, particularly the pas de deux with Rose in Act 3 with principal ballerina Inara Svalbe, describing it as “a statement of delicacy”. And of the corps de ballet, he wrote “One cannot speak too highly of the order of the corps; Miss Svalbe’s choreography marshals them with progressive actions.”

Unfortunately, the ballet was not a financial success leaving the company with an end of year debt of $10,000. The following Letter to the Editor sheds some light on why this happened.

Ignoring the local ballet

Where were the ballet lovers of Brisbane last week? Does a company have to bear an overseas name to attract your patronage?

The Ballet Theatre of Queensland went to produce something new in the way of classical ballet, which Brisbane audiences reputedly prefer, and you rewarded their efforts by staying away in your hundreds.

Only a few short months ago, we paid $20 a seat to see “Stars of World Ballet” and you turned out in your thousands to pack the Festival hall. It may have been technically brilliant, but that’s all it was – no scenery, no lighting effects – no atmosphere at all.

“The Tales of Hoffman” had it all – Offenbach’s delightful music played by a full orchestra, costumes, scenery and lighting effects comparable with anything I have seen in Brisbane, together with a high standard of performance combined to make it a most enjoyable presentation.

I went on Friday night and was so impressed I went again on Saturday. It was even better the second time around and certainly worthy of a capacity house.

Wake up Brisbane. These local artists deserve your wholehearted support. I will certainly never miss another of their productions.

Mrs V.Rossiter, White’s Road, Manly - Letter to the Editor in The Courier-Mail, 21 November 1978

Researcher and writer: Dr Christine Comans