Theatre Royal 50 years ago

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 22

Theatre Royal 50 years ago

There were some extraordinarily talented people in Colonel de Basil’s Monte Carlo Ballet which came to Christchurch in April, 1937. The reception given this international acclaimed company was nothing short of euphoric. Soloists included dancers of the calibre of Helene Kirsova, Valentina Blinova, Leon Woizikowsky and Roland Guerard, all names of renown. Twenty-one ballets were included in the Australasian touring repertoire, 14 of which, in four different programmes for a nine night season, were presented in Christchurch. One hundred and ten people were on the - road with the Monte Carlo company, with a touring orchestra of 25 players ' and two famous conductors. One short burst of wrestling, Rumberg V. Mead, held the stage in

late April, followed by popular Lofty Blomfield, champion of New Zealand V. . Matros 1 Kirilinko, champion of Europe, battling it out in mid-May. There could scarcely be entertainment more different from the elegance and classicism of the Monte Carlo .Ballet than the attraction in early May, the 1937 C.U.C. students’ revue* “Hurly Buriy?’ Once an integral part of capping and certainly the springboard for many successful N6w Zealand entertainers, revue had its faithful audience and wide appeal. The advertising may have caused some groans — “Bring along your mother-in-law; she’ll die laughing,” and /’The brightest thing since the b geiieral election.” / ns Prices were 2 shillings, 3 and sixpence and 4 and sixpence. It was. produced by Mr Bernard Beeby with ballets by Miss Peggy Holmes. ' / ■ ;