N.Z. NATIONAL THEATRE

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25547, 15 July 1948, Page 2

N.Z. NATIONAL THEATRE

NEED SEEN BY NOTED BALLET DIRECTOR “You need a national theatre, an opera and a ballet company of your own in New Zealand,” said Madame Marie Rambert, the noted English ballet director, in an interview with “The Press” in Christchurch last evening. “The talent is all here and you only need someone to take it in hand. While you haXfe no company oi your own, all the talent must go oversea for recognition. “You all nave an inferiority complex in New Zealand, entirely without reason. I have already seen first-rate ballet schools here, and you have plenty of talent. I have been struck by the high standard of training, and the understanding of the audiences and critics, which is every bit as good as in England. In fact there are more ballet.’ lovers here on a populationbasis.’* . With the renaissance of British ballet Madams JUlhbert Said: seen the' development of a technique that was more typical of the national characteristics of the country. It had less flamboyance in dancing and presentation than the Russian school and laid, perhaps, a greater emphasis on the sincerity of artists. To some extent it had produced a new choreography in the nature of a narrative ballet which portrayed simple stories of modern people. Madame Rambert was born in Poland 59 years ago, and was educated with the famous Diaghilev Ballet. She was herself a notable ballerina in the latter period of Diaghilev and Nijinsky, but since 1926 she has concentrated on the teaching aspect of her calling, and has contributed much to British ballet. Her ballet is making its present tour under the auspices of the British Council. It has comSleted highly successful seasons in ydney and Melbourne, and after the completion of its New Zealand tour, will return to Australia.

The company comprises 69 persons, including an orchestra of 30 members conducted by Mr Hubert Foster Clark, well known in English ballet circles. Thirteen of the orchestra are Australians.