RUSSIAN BALLET

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 152, 24 March 1937, Page 16

RUSSIAN BALLET

Opening 1 on Saturday

Although the booking is excellent for the opening gala performances on Saturday next and for the following six nights of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet season, there is still an abundance of seats in either the dress circle or stalls which may be selected at the D.I.C. from 9 o'clock this morning. The wide interest that is being taken in the advent of the Russian Ballet, may be gauged by the fact that applications for seats have been received from towns hundreds of miles from Wellington, one order coming from residents of Invercargill. Although the company has attracted record audiences everywhere it has appeared, the ballet's international engagements will prevent any extensions being made. It was after years of negotiations with Colonel de Basil that the directors of J- C. Williamson, Etd., were successful in arranging for the visit of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet to Australia and New Zealand, and it is satisfactory to know that playgoers have appreciated the brilliant dancing and artistry of Leon Woizikowsky. Helene Kirsova, Valentina Blinova, and the other notable people in the organisation. “Dressed and gowned for the occasion as it had not been for many years,” wrote a critic, “Auckland was there en masse and ‘with tails on’ at His Majesty’s Theatre last night to welcome suitably the first appearance in the land of the famous .Monte Carlo Russian Ballet. It was, indeed, a brilliant house, which bubbled into early enthusiasm that intensified with the successive ballets. Despite the handicap of some sections of its personnel and equipment having been landed - from the Sydney steamer only an hour before the advertised time of the opening performance, the Russian Ballet came and showed and conquered. Favourably predisposed by knowledge of British, American, and Continental triumphs, which accounted for the record booking, patrons by and large had the appearance of passengers about to undertake a first aeroplane trip. They were troubled by conflicting reports of first sensations. Mingled with the ecstasy were vague references to classical stuff that they might not like as entertainment, but these fears were quickly dispelled, because the performances cannot fail to appeal to every section of any community. Classical enough in all conscience were the music and opening ballet. ’Les Sylphides,’ consisting of Cnopin prelude, nocturne, valse. and mazurka by the orchestra, translated by the ballet, into still, satuesque stage groupings, dreamy dances 'sur les pointes,’ including pirouette and foufte and old classical dance memories—but the gloriously-con-trolled and balanced orchestration gave instant universal appeal to the delicate melody of Chopin's music; the classic dancing features mentioned were but a means toward the end of giving point and delicacy to a visual translation of the music to poetic, romantic motion; and the cosunies and special setting designed by Leon Baskt made understanding easy. Classical enough, but the audience found they liked it, and they rose to it enthusiastically, The Eastern dance drama, 'Scheherazade,’ a story of infidelity in a harem and ruthless reprisal by the Sultan, fastened the spell of the ballet upon the patrons, who were thrilled and fascinated by the wild music, tlm gorgeous selling and eoslumes, and the wonderful dancing and acting of Leon Woizikowsky. The third haliel. ‘Aurora’s Wedding,’ from 'The .Sleeping Beauty.’ has Tschaikowsky music ami strikingly-beaiitifnl costumes ami .selfing, but more than either of the other ballets it illustrated the wonderful strength of talent which has made the Monte Carlo Ballet famous all over the world. From within the superbl,v-shaped ,in<l coni rolled ensembles of wedding gaiety, it sent forth specialty after specialty in character dances and variations. It piles strength upon strength in a cascade of varying personalities. all highly t.'ilcnled, and in the performances humour gaily jostles drama. Unquestionably, the Russian Ballet, in its entertaining melody, pageantry, and allegory, quite apart from its immense aggregation of talent, made a general appeal, which assures a highly successful season.”