FONTEYN’S TOUR OF N.Z.

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 2

FONTEYN’S TOUR OF N.Z.

Prior Commitments Shorten Visit ♦ Dame Margot Fonteyn, prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet and her partner, Michael Somes, are now dancing in Japan on a cultural visit sponsored by the British Government They will fly to New Zealand from Japan by way of Hong Kong, Manila, Sydney . and Christchurch, arriving on March 15. . In Christchurch, Dame Margot Fonteyn will rest and rehearse until her first performance at the Theatre Royal on March 19. After her second performance on March 21 she will go to Wellington with the company, where she will make four appearances. In Auckland she will dance twice during the season and will then return to Britain for the 1959 season at the Royal Opera House. Covent Garden. The commitments in Japanand Britain, have made it impossible for Dame Margot Fonteyn to give more than eight performances in ' New Zealand. Other Stars Christchurch ballet lovers who have been disappointed in not being able to procure seats for Dame Margot Fonteyn’s performances will be able to see several other outstanding ballerinas. There are Rowena Jackson, a former New Zealander, who stars in classical roles with her husband (Philip Chatfield) as her partner, Anne Heaton and Lynn Seymour, to mention a few. Anne Heaton is the company’s principal dramatic ballerina, an actress of exceptional dramatic talent as well as being a very fine dancer. She is married to John Field, director of the company. Although she prefers the more dramatic roles in such modern ballets as “The Rake’s Progress’’ and “Facade,” Anne Heaton also stars as a dancer and actress in “Giselle,” “Coppelia" and “Les Sylphides.” Lynn Seymour, a very young ballerina, is regarded as a most promising dancer with all the potential attributes of a great artist