Helpmann, Robert, (Sir) (1909-1986)

Also known as
Helpman, Robert, (Sir) (1909-1986)
Helpmann, Robert (1909-1986)
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an36588503
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-1307971

Biographies

Robert Helpmann, born in Mount Gambier, South Australia, pursued a singular career as an actor, dancer, choreographer and director beginning at an early age and continuing until just two months before his death. After taking ballet lessons in Australia from a variety of teachers, including Anna Pavlova during her Australian tours, he left for London in 1932 and over the next thirty or so years secured engagements in dance, theatre and film. His partnership with Margot Fonteyn was a major highlight of his early career in dance. He returned to Australia to perform on various occasions from 1955 onwards. He became joint artistic director of the Australian Ballet in 1965, sharing the position with Peggy van Praagh until 1974. He directed the company alone during 1975.

Helpmann made his first choreography for a dance company in 1942 when he created Comus for the Vic-Wells, later Sadler's Wells, Ballet. For the Australian Ballet he made his iconic Display in 1964, the Japanese-inspired Yugen in 1965, Sun Music in 1968 and Perisynthyon in 1974. During his co-artistic directorship of the Australian Ballet he directed, with Rudolf Nureyev, a film of Nureyev's version of the ballet Don Quixote and while sole artistic director introduced into the Australian Ballet's repertoire a successful and popular version of The Merry Widow. The works he choreographed and/or directed were always based on his philosophy that all art should be entertaining.

For more about Helpmann's career as reflected in the collections of the National Library of Australia see 'A dash of Helpmann', National Library of Australia News, October 2002.

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Resources for Robert Helpmann

Resources by Robert Helpmann (104)

  1. Sir Robert Helpmann
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Video : 1975 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.363)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.363)

  2. Robert Helpmann studies / by Gordon Anthony ; with an introduction by Ninette de Valois
    Anthony, Gordon
    [ Book : 1946 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.654)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.654)

  3. Letters of Robert Helpmann and others
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Unpublished : 1959-1975 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 23.238)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 23.238)

  4. [Robert Helpmann : Art & Artist Files (Australia and New Zealand)]
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Book : 1900 ]
    At Nat Gall Aus Res
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.379)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.379)

  5. Sir Robert Helpman / directed by Keith Salvat
    Australia Council
    [ Video : 1990 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.185)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.185)

  6. Tales of Helpmann : a portrait of Sir Robert Helpmann / directed by Don Featherstone
    Australian Broadcasting Corporation
    [ Video : 1990 ]
    At 6 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.031)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.031)

  7. Papers of Robert Helpmann
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Unpublished : 1933-1986 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.135)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.135)

  8. [Helpmann, Sir Robert, dancer, choreographer, director and actor : : theatre programmes, ephemera / held in the PROMPT Collection, National Library of Australia]
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Published : 1926-1986 ]
    Possibly online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.528)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.528)

  9. Interview with Robert Helpmann, actor, dancer and choreographer : historical recordings of important happenings recorded by Radio Station 2GB News
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Sound : 1961 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.026)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.026)

  10. Robert Helpmann interviewed by Hazel de Berg in the Hazel de Berg collection
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Sound : 1964-1974 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.164)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.164)

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Resources about Robert Helpmann (134)

  1. Sir Robert Helpmann
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Video : 1975 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.605)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.605)

  2. Robert Helpmann studies / by Gordon Anthony ; with an introduction by Ninette de Valois
    Anthony, Gordon
    [ Book : 1946 ]
    At 10 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.722)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.722)

  3. Helpmann : the authorized biography of Sir Robert Helpmann, CBE. / [by] Elizabeth Salter ; foreword by Katharine Hepburn
    Salter, Elizabeth, 1918-1981
    [ Book : 1978 ]
    At 72 libraries
    Helpmann : the authorized biography of Sir Robert Helpmann, CBE. / [by] Elizabeth Salter ; foreword by Katharine Hepburn
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.235)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 29.235)

  4. Robert Helpmann : a servant of art / Anna Bemrose
    Bemrose, Anna
    [ Audio book, Book : 2008-2009 ]
    View online
    At 84 libraries
    Robert Helpmann : a servant of art / Anna Bemrose
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.827)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.827)

  5. Letters of Robert Helpmann and others
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Unpublished : 1959-1975 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.745)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.745)

  6. [Robert Helpmann : Art & Artist Files (Australia and New Zealand)]
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Book : 1900 ]
    At Nat Gall Aus Res
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.384)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.384)

  7. Sir Robert Helpman / directed by Keith Salvat
    Australia Council
    [ Video : 1990 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.19)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 22.19)

  8. Tales of Helpmann : a portrait of Sir Robert Helpmann / directed by Don Featherstone
    Australian Broadcasting Corporation
    [ Video : 1990 ]
    At 6 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.506)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.506)

  9. Papers of Robert Helpmann
    Helpmann, Robert Sir, 1909-1986
    [ Unpublished : 1933-1986 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.491)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.491)

  10. Robert Helpmann : choreographer / by Caryl Brahms ; photographs by Russell Sedgwick
    Brahms, Caryl, 1901-
    [ Book : 1943-1945 ]
    Possibly online
    At 17 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.49)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.49)

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  1. Nolan, Sidney, (Sir) (1917-1992)
    ... The Display Nolan worked in collaboration with Robert Helpmann ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.006)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.006)

  2. Williamson, Malcolm (1931-2003)
    ... in 1964 with choreography by Sir Robert Helpmann and designs by Sir Sydney Nolan. He often performed ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

  3. Stewart, Garry (1962-)
    ... the biennial Sir Robert Helpmann fellowship, an Australia Council ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

  1. Checkmate (Australian context)
    Checkmate (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 16 items.

    The one-act ballet Checkmate was choreographed by Ninette de Valois in 1937 to a score by, and at the suggestion of, composer Arthur Bliss. An allegorical tale of humanity's struggle betwe...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

  2. Adelaide Festival of the Arts (1960 - )
    Adelaide Festival of the Arts (1960 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 11 items.

    The Adelaide Festival of the Arts is a biennial festival held in Autumn which showcases music, theatre, dance, new media events, literature and visual arts. Modelled on the Edinburgh Festiva...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

  3. The Sleeping Beauty (Australian context)
    The Sleeping Beauty (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 44 items.

    Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty, which premiered in St Petersburg in 1890 to a score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, was not performed in Australia until 1951. By then, however, Australi...

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    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

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  1. Sydney : a book of photographs / by David Mist ; introduction by Sir Robert Helpmann
    Mist, David
    [ Book : 1969 ]
    Languages: English, French, German
    At 21 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.218)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.218)

  2. My book of ballet stories / Marcia Hatfield
    Hatfield, Marcia
    [ Book : 1974-2007 ]
    At 28 libraries
    My book of ballet stories / Marcia Hatfield
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.217)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.217)

  3. Shakespeare's sonnets : a selection / [by] Keith Michell ; foreword by Sir Robert Helpmann
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book : 1979 ]
    At 12 libraries
    Shakespeare's sonnets : a selection / [by] Keith Michell ; foreword by Sir Robert Helpmann
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.174)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.174)

  4. Taking irrigation beyond 2000, Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre, 24-27 October 1999 / ANCID Conference
    ANCID Conference Mount Gambier, S. Aust.) (1999 :
    [ Book : 1900 ]
    At Black Mountain
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

  1. [Helpmann, Robert Murray (Sir) : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia]
    [ Published : 1900 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.112)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.112)

  2. Papers of the Tait family
    Tait family
    [ Unpublished : 1908-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

  3. Papers of Albert Arlen and Nancy Brown
    Arlen, Albert, 1905-1993
    [ Unpublished : 1924-2001 ]
    At National Library
    Papers of Albert Arlen and Nancy Brown
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.005)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.005)

  1. Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre & Civic Centre : celebrating 25 years in 2007
    Mount Gambier (S. Aust.). Corporation
    [ Video : 2007 ]
    At State Library S Aust
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.184)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.184)

  2. Classic Alec Guinness
    [ Video : 2010 ]
    At 4 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.132)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.132)

  3. My book of ballet stories / written by Marcia Hatfield ; illustrated by Aubrey Eden Stapleton ; foreword by Sir Robert Helpmann
    Hatfield, Marcia
    [ Sound : 1983 ]
    At Leichhardt Library
    My book of ballet stories / written by Marcia Hatfield ; illustrated by Aubrey Eden Stapleton ; foreword by Sir Robert Helpmann
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.078)

  4. The merry widow
    Lehár, Franz, 1870-1948
    [ Sound : 1944-2005 ]
    Languages: English, French, Undetermined, German
    At 13 libraries
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.011)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.011)

  1. [Portrait of Robert Helpmann] G. Sm...
    Smith, Geoffrey...
    [ Photograph : 1967 ]
  2. Portrait of Robert Helpmann, 1933-3...
    Anthony, Gordon...
    [ Photograph : 1933-1934 ]
  3. Collection of portraits of Robert H...
    Anthony, Gordon...
    [ Photograph : 1940-1949 ]
    Collection of portraits of Robert Helpmann on stage
  4. Portrait of Robert Helpmann in The ...
    McMurdo, Don, 1...
    [ Photograph : 1976-1998 ]
    Portrait of Robert Helpmann in The cobra / Don McMurdo
  5. Sir Robert Helpmann with his mother...
    McFarlane, Robe...
    [ Photograph : 1964 ]
    Sir Robert Helpmann with his mother and sister Sheila, Adelaide, S.A., 1964 / Robert McFarlane
  6. Portrait of Sir Robert Helpmann as ...
    Rogers, Houston
    [ Photograph : 1937 ]
    Portrait of Sir Robert Helpmann as Oberon, 1937 / Housten Rogers
  1. Sir Robert Helpmann [coming soon]
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) Wednesday 15 September 1976 p 15 Article
    ... Sir Robert Helpmann SYDNEY, .Tuesday. - The,' former co-director of The Australian Ballet, Sir ... Airport after arriving from Honolulu on Mon day, Sir Robert said it was "abundantly clear" that he was not ... renewed, he said. Sir Robert said he would soon be directing productions of _ 'Caesar and Cleopatra' ... 97 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.177)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.177)

  2. Sir Robert Helpmann has 'false alarm' [coming soon]
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) Thursday 15 April 1971 p 21 Article
    ... Sir Robert Helpmann has 'false alarm' SYDNEY, Wednesday.-Sir ^ Sir Robert Helpmann returned to Australia yesterday terday to rejoin the Aus tralian Ballet after a false diagnosis of lunc cancer, and ... stricken with pneumonia while touring with the Australian Ballet in America. Sir Robert said that American ... 92 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.643)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.643)

  3. A few words from Sir Robert Helpmann
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) Saturday 19 July 1975 p 13 Article Illustrated
    ... I -There Ms a lot more to Pallet than prancing about the stage' ■K ; v;; i ; Sir Robert Helpmann ...'-People talk enormous nonsense ... I close my ears to it all.. . A few words from Sir Robert Helpmann / ; By his Rees. ||IL Robert Helpjfflf mann, in spruce black j||| suit, patent shoes and just ... 1885 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.358)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.358)

  1. Website: National Library of Australia staff papers
    www.nla.gov.au
    Matching pages:
    View 26 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.176)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.176)

  2. Website: Australia dancing
    www.australiadancing.org
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    View 97 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.059)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.059)

  3. Website: Helpmann Awards
    www.helpmannawards.com.au
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    View 134 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.037)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.037)

  1. 'An artist of infinite range': an interview with Robert Helpmann recorded by Hazel de Berg in 1974. -Edited and introduced by Denton, Meg Abbie-
    Helpmann, Robert, Sir
    Brolga
    [ Article : 1996 ]
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.475)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.475)

  2. Helpmann, Sir Robert
    The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.
    [ Article : 2004 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.399)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.399)

  3. Sir Robert Helpmann: turning point
    Jarratt, Phil
    Mode Australia
    [ Article : 1986 ]
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.362)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.362)

  4. Sir Robert Helpmann, artist on many stages
    Sydney Morning Herald
    [ Article : 1986 ]
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.322)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.322)