Semi-Professional Ballet Formed

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30930, 10 December 1965, Page 2

Semi-Professional Ballet Formed

A semi-professional ballet group has been formed in Christchurch by Mrs Maris Perfect to bridge the gap between the classroom and professional dancing.

Known as the Christchurch Civic Ballet, it will give its first performance on Tuesday evening at the Christchurch Civic Orchestra Foundation’s concert at the Repertory Theatre.

The term “semi-profes-aional” meant the dancers were qualified to take engagements with professional companies, Mrs Perfect, a well-known teacher and director of the new group, said yesterday. Overseas Study While on a study tour overseas eariier this year, Mrs Perfect and her daughter, Miss Noda Perfect, interviewed many directors of regional ballet groups in the United States.

"There are 198 Of these groups in the United States end they are considered to be the answer to the growing interest in baUet as well as giving young dancers the opportunity to advance to professional status,” Mrs Perfect said. The Christchurch CMc Ballet haa a membership of 15 girls and two boys. Nine of the gtria and one of the boys have danced overseas as mem-

beta of the South Island Ballet, which has done two Australian tours within the last few years.

The South Island BaUet, an amateur group, would now become the training ground for younger dancers who wanted to further their studies for the professional field, said Mrs Perfect, who is also director of this group. Noela Perfect, the choreographer for the Civic BaUet, has had considerable overseas experience. She hopes that other centres in New Zealand will also form regional ballets.

The John Ritchie String Orchestra’s invitation to the group to dance at the concert on Tuesday, will strengthen the concept of regional ballet in Christchurch. The baUet, in its turn, will give diversity to the orchestra’s proMnmme.

The group will present a riawticol work with choreography by Noela Perfect, to Tchaikosky*s “Serenade for String Orchestra.”

The ballot, which will take UP the second half of the programme, depicts the four seasons.