COVENT GARDEN RUSSIAN BALLET

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 106, 28 January 1939, Page 11

COVENT GARDEN RUSSIAN BALLET

'"he Copent Garden Russian Ballet is reputed to be the greatest theatrical enterprise ever undertaken anywhere in the Southern Hemisphere. New Zealanders will have the opportunity shortly of seeing this famous company of dancers, they will see them in the same brilliant programmes, the same costumes, and with the same gorgeous scenery as was used in Covent Garden, London. The tour will begin at His Majesty s Theatre, Auckland, on Wednesday, February 1, when no fewer than 15 ballets will be presented in a limited sei son lasting twelve nights as well as special matinees. The company is under uie direction of Victor Dandre. His co-director is Mr. German Sevastianov, born of a distinguished theatrical family, and nephew of the great Stanislawsky, who was founder of the Moscow Arts Theatre; and with Serge Grigorieff in charge of actual production thia strong board ensures smooth working and the maximum of efficiency. Of the dancers names like Irina Baronova, Tatiana Riabouchiuska, Anton Bolin, David Licbiue, Paul Petroff, Tamara Grigorieva echo in the mind as the greatest gathering of principal dancers today, and Baronova, exquisitely beautiful and peerless technician, Riabouchiuska, dancing for the love of it, Anton Dolin, a veteran of dancing, though not in years, David Lichine, most promising choreographer, and Paul Petroff, gallant dancer and the world’s best partner, give some indication of the towering strength ot this company. The beauty of the ballets and the glory of the orchestra, a full symphony, under the baton of Antal Dorati, would assure performances of merit. In spirit a great ballerina—the great ballerina —watches over the Covent Garden Russian Ballet. It is Anna Pavlova, who is always there watching over the destinies of the young dancers, every one of whom, without exception, is tilled with ait ambition to emulate her. Pavlova is a guardian angel to the bullet dancers in more ways than one. Many of the younger ones were inspired with the desire to dance after seeing her. Paul Petiroff saw her dance in Copenhagen, his native city. He immediately went into the motor factory there and worked tirelessly for three years. Then he met and danced for Pavlova. She sent him to Paris, where be took lessons with Proebejenska, but he did not j'oin Pavlova’s company because her tragic death came before he was through. Vera Nelidovu, too, saw Pavlova, Throughout the whole company there is a determined and great love of the great ballerina, and there is no doubt that this Covent Garden Russian Ballet is largely influenced by what Pavlova did and eaid during her graceful life.