Comedienne Planned Career In Ballet

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29798, 14 April 1962, Page 2

Comedienne Planned Career In Ballet

After fostering a long-standing ambition to be a ballerina, and training at Dame Marie Rambert’s Ballet Rambert, Miss Vanda Vale turned to comedy acting. Aged 23, she is the comedienne in the Vic Oliver show, which opened in Christchurch last evening.

"I had never considered comedy until I answered Mr Oliver's advertisement for a girl for his show.” Miss Vale said yesterday. Her role entailed walking across stage, with no speaking part, until one performance when Mr Oliver shouted a question at her. Miss Vale’s off-the-cuff answer brought a roar of appreciation from the audience, and the act was included in the show.

Mr Oliver began writing routines for them. His 8.8. C. producer liked them. and Miss Vale was included in the Vic Oliver radio series. She has worked with him for six years, accompanying him on tours to South Africa. Europe and India, and appearing on his radio and television shows. Radio Show

Their work was mostly in radio. Miss Vale said yesterday. Their weekly feature was Britain’s top show, “Variety Playhouse,” which she described as a combination of “good music and, I hope, good comedy.

“Mr Oliver is terrific to work for,” Miss Vale said "He knows show business backwards and is a marvellous teacher. I have been a

Vic Oliver fan since I was quite small, but I never dreamed •we would even meet.”

Miss Vale studied for three years at the Ballet Rambert. It then became obvious that she was not soloist material She did not fancy spending several years in the corps de ballet, grew too tall, and got “rather depressed.” She turned to acting, studying for two years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Touring is the aspect of her work Miss Vale most enjoys She gets restless if she spends too long in England at a time. She comes from a nontheatrical family—her father is a retired vicar who has no objections to her stage career.

Miss Vale is manager for Mr Oliver's orchestra, the British Concert Orchestra.