Guide to the Programs and ephemera regarding Kirsova Ballet in Australia, 1941-1944

 

Collection context

Summary

Collection number:
Kirsova
Extent:
34 items
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.

Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.

Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]

Availability:
Available

Background

Content Summary:

The list is primarily based on material in the National Library of Australia's PROMPT collection. Where there are gaps in the PROMPT holdings, the list has been supplemented by an indication of material in the National Gallery of Australia's Research Library. The Research Library holds Helene Kirsova's extensive personal archive including stage and costume designs, photographs and letters as well as published materials. In a couple of rare cases where no programs are held in either institution, newspaper clippings in the NGA Kirsova Archive have been quoted as evidence of performances.

The PROMPT collection also contains programs for part of Kirsova's career in Europe prior to her Australian visit, and programs for all the Australian tours of the de Basil companies in 1936, 1938 and 1940.

Biographical / Historical:

Helene Kirsova came to Australia in 1936 with the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet.

Born Ellen Wittrup in Denmark, she had trained with Europe's leading ballet teachers and had reached prima ballerina status dancing with major European companies and working with choreographers such as Leonide Massine and Michel Fokine.

Kirsova received star billing for the 1936 Australian tour which was entrepreneured by Colonel W. de Basil. De Basil brought more companies to Australia in 1938 and 1940 which further opened up a world of exotic and dazzling ballet to Australian audiences.

The advent of these 'Ballets Russes' companies also had a lasting legacy in the form of members of the companies who elected to stay in Australia. Two of the most prominent of these were Edouard Borovansky and Helene Kirsova both of whom formed companies of their own which had lasting influences on the development of ballet in Australia.

Kirsova initially returned to England with the Monte Carlo Russian ballet in 1937 but returned early in 1938 when she married the Danish Vice Consul in Sydney, Erik Fischer. She soon established a ballet school developing local Australian dancers as well as engaging other dancers from the de Basil companies who remained in Australia.

She formed her own company in 1941. Based in Sydney, the company also successfully toured Australia in spite of the difficulties of movement around the country in wartime, as well as the constant threat of male dancers being enlisted into wartime duty. After a short life span of three years the company was disbanded in 1944 following its Brisbane season.

Kirsova went to Europe in 1947 with her second husband the Australian journalist Peter Bellew and lived in Paris. She died on the 22nd February 1962 while visiting London.

For a full list of dancers and alphabetical repertoire please see supplementary material.

Arrangement:

The Kirsova Ballet programs are listed in chronological order, which reflects the arrangement of the Library's PROMPT collection.

Entries identify the city and the venue. All the information is taken from programs, flyers and ephemera. Entries for each program are arranged as follows: City; name of production or performer; date (day and month); details of publication.

Holdings are noted for NLA (National Library of Australia, PROMPT collection) and NGARL (National Gallery of Australia Research Library).

Access and use

Preferred citation:

Acknowledgement of use this material should refer to the Ephemera PROMPT collection.

Citation of items from this collection should include references to author's/organisation's name, date, item title, Publisher and place of publication.

Example: J.C. Williamson (Firm). Theatre Royal (Adelaide, S.A.). 1950, Gilbert Sullivan opera season [theatre program] : The gondoliers J. C. Williamson Ltd [Adelaide]

Location of this collection:
Parkes Place
Canberra ACT 2600, Australia
Contact: