POINTS of VIEWING

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32354, 21 July 1970, Page 3

POINTS of VIEWING

Russian Folk Ballet Was Outstanding

Gaiety, speed, precision, beauty, grace, humour: these were the qualities to be found in the performance of the Moiseyev Ballet Company which on Sunday evening provided this viewer, and undoubtedly many others, with one of the most exciting and satisfying hours of television they have enjoyed. Search as one might among the adjectives, and the best ones for this magnificent performance seem inadequate. An hour: and it seemed no time at all. The precision of

. this superbly skilled dance ensemble hinted at trick photography, at times. One did not need a knowledge of the Russian folk' dances to enjoy them. It was in fact . fully family entertainment On an apparently limitless stage, without any need for the assistance of backdrops, elaborate costumes, or effects, these talented young people gave a thrilling and astonishing performance. A Caucasian war dance, a folk dance from Bulgaria, an incredible dance of the Cossacks—these were among the highlights of a swift-moving display that was all highlights. The contortionist in “The Fight of Two Youngsters" was magnificent and incredible. “My dancers should not only master technique, but they should have unusual stamina, the daring of an acrobat, the skill of a juggler, the speed of a fencer, and know how to act as well," said the director and choreographer for this wonderful group Igor Moiseyev They most certainly met all these demands. The N.Z.B.C. would do well to repeat this programme before very long. The show

had a delightfully happy atmosphere, and it was a happiness the audience could not but share. And it was a cheerful story, too, from Tannochbrae As unpretentious as ever, it gave Barbara Mullen some particularly good moments; a glance from her can be more telling than a two-minute speech. Dr Cameron as an amateur electrician was a delight too, and Bernard Horsfall was convincing asi the English writer who was: a particularly interesting patient. Unfortunately we missed most of “The Infinite Pacific," a documentary made by l the Australian Broadcasting Commission in association with Qantas. But in what we saw, there was a most interesting journey through the j places Captain James Cook; saw, supported by some; magnificent photography. —| PANDORA.