Prolonged Applause For “Giselle”

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30901, 6 November 1965, Page 16

Prolonged Applause For “Giselle”

Prolonged applause, stamping and shouting ended the second night of “Giselle” on a triumphant note. Last night's principals were Marilyn Burr and Jean-Paul Comelin, who added individual touches to the production, evidencing their originality of approach. The wooing of Giselle was a scene of charming innocence, and Miss Burr managed her stabbing most convinvingly. Their dancing in the second

act was extremely poignant and lyrical.

This production of “Giselle” by Sara Neil is most impressive. Everything about it has been conceived with sensitivity. The artistic director of the company, Russell Kerr, who appears as a convincingly anguished Hilarion in this ballet, has reached great heights in his direction of this tour. Last night Svetlana Beriosova and Karl Musil again

danced the divestissement from “Don Quixote” and their reception indicated the warm place they have won in the hearts of Christchurch audiences.

“Facade” was again in the programme. The new setting has not increased in appeal in the course of the season—the initial impression that, in spite of being evocative of the period, it is obtrusive and concerned with pointless detail, remains. The production

of “Facade” is a little slack, too—perhaps because the end of the tour is in sight? A final word of praise for the most efficient and effective corps de ballet, which has done splendid work throughout the season.

A final performance of the “Giselle” programme on Monday night will end the most ambitious and the most successful tour the New Zealand Ballet has ever done.—P.S.