Ballet a success in Fiji

Press, 12 August 1980, Page 6

Ballet a success in Fiji

PA Wellington The New Zealand Ballet Company’s first foray into the export world has been a runaway financial success. The ballet’s first overseas trip — five performances in Fiji — has made a profit,, the special projects director, Mr Bob Jones, has said.

“People were begging us for tickets, and of course we’d sold out,” he said. Everyone in New Zealand said don’t go.” Mr Jones said dignitaries in Fiji even rushed to help sell programmes so they could sit in on more than one performance.' People paid $lO to sit on the stairs and watch. Suva proved more profitable for the company than Auckland or Wellington. Already dates were booked for another, longer season, this time next year. As well, the company was tying up a tour of Queensland, Mr Jones said. Earlier this month, Mr Jones said, the ballet faced curtailing its activities because the Arts Council had effectively cut its budget. Now, he said morale could not be better. Every seat was sold for the. ballet’s performances . with the world - acclaimed ballerina, Galina Samsova.Mr Jones said his earlier plea for the ballet to bypass, the Arts Council and get capital funding direct from the Government had, gained support — even donations — from both sides of the House.

“We’ve paid for ourselves. We’re an export earner now. And we’re going to expand,” he said.