J. C. Williamson’s Wonderful Attraction

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 3

J. C. Williamson’s Wonderful Attraction

MONTE CARLO RUSSIAN BALLETThis morning at nine o’clock the box plans will be opened at Collinson and Cunninghame’s for the appearance here of Colonel de Basil’s world-famous Monte Carlo Russian Ballet which is to be presented by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., at the Opera House on Monday uigbt next. Over 100 artists and musicians will Lake part in the performances, including some of the world’s dancing stars. M. Leon Woizikowsky, the leading pertoriner in the large cast which has been assembled for the tour, hail been responsible for the development of much young talent in London ahd Paris, and rejoined the present company after his own had concluded a very successful tour, with final appearances in Paris. Another prominent member of the organisation is Valentina Blinova, who

was trained in the great Russian Ballc School by Vaganova, the greatest .teacher then in the school, and wfio, also, has been praised with considerable enthusiasm by leading critics. Helene Kirsova, who is to appear in the opening presentation “Les Sylphides,” is ideally suited to this ballet, which is set to the light and airy music ot Chopin. Nina Kaievska, another of the leading feminine performers, is famous for her interpretation of exotic roles, and she is described as having a temperament which is “irresistible on the stage.” “Aurora’s Wedding,” one of the ballets to be presented on the opeuing night gives a wonderful opportunity, it is said, to the brilliant stage director, Jeau Hoyer. The story of s rise to fame as a character dancer and later as a director and leader of ballet commences in the days of tho Russian 1 revolution, when he was singled out, with four others, as possessing outstanding merit and ability. Colonel de Basil is said to have been responsible for developing tho gift of ballet leadership in him, and it was partly as a result of this that M. Hoyer has undertaken four tours of America with the company. The programme to be presented hero will contain a lavish and varied group of the company’s best ballets, including “Les Sylphides,” with music by Chopin, “Scheherazade,” with music by Rimsky-Korsakoff and “Le Mariage D’Aurore” (“Aurora’s Wedding”) with music by Tchaikow-

sky. The risk of bringing such a huge and wonderful attraction to New Zealand is seen by the fact that expenses for the eight weeks will total over £22,000, a major portion of the money being spent in the Dominion. Tho directors of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., had the fullest confidence that the public of New Zealand would respond and support them in their efforts to provide the last word in entertainment of the highest standard and importance, and the wonderful success of the Auckland season where capacity audiences witnessed every performance, has fully justified their confidence. Special trains will convey the company from one town to another.