Madame Marie Rambert Considers Dancing the Best Form of Sport

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26816, 6 July 1948, Page 2

Madame Marie Rambert Considers Dancing the Best Form of Sport

NOTES FOR WOMEN

“ Quite apart from its being an art, dancing is the best form of gymnastics in the world,” said Madame Marie Rambert, of the Ballet Rambert, in an interview with the Daily Times yesterday morning. On the 30th anniversary of her wedding Madame Rambert turned 30 cartwheels as part of the celebrations, and, indeed, this amazingly lithe little woman, with her charming figure and vivid personality, must be the envy of her contemporaries.

Madame Rambert admits that life for the professional ballet dancer is hard, but considers that it is healthy and satisfying. She herself still goes through all the exercises daily with members of her company. Behind the finished dancing of the principals and the artistry of the stagepictures formed by the corps de ballet iie many hours of rehearsals, classes, and exercises. The perfection which is ever the aim of the enthusiastic dancer is not attained without continuous practice. Classes commence at 10 every morning, followed by rehearsal, lunch, rehearsal again until 4 o'clock, an hour or two actually free, and, after dinner, straight to the theatre to prepare for the evening performance. Nearly all members of the company are English, and have been trained at Madame Rambert’s headquarters, the Mercury Theatre, Notting Hill Gate, London, which is considered the nursery of English ballet. Her husband, Mr Ashley Dukes, who is prominent in the field of drama, also has his headquarters in that theatre. “We are not a company where stars are featured,” Madame Rambert said “ Our specialty is team work, and many parts are interchangeable.” She said that Belinda Wright, the prima ballerina, was a very great artist, and an outstanding classical dancer, while Paula Hinton possessed remarkable versatility, had unique elevation, and a delightful sense of humour. Joyce Graeme, another versatile performer, surprised everyone by her ability to change from the cruel statuesque Queen of the Willis to the huntress in Peter and the Wolf. The narrator in this popular ballet, Waiter Gore, was not only an outstanding dancer, Madame Rambert said, but was also an exceptionally clever choreographer. Dunedin audiences would be pleased to welcome back the Australian, Basil Truro, formerly known as Vasili Trunoff, who, Madame Rambert prophesied, was rapidly " heading for stardom.”

Wherever they have appeared in New Zealand and Australia, this band of young dancers has been received with an enthusiasm which augurs well for the future of ballet in these countries.