Ashbridge, Bryan

Also known as
Ashbridge, Bryan (1924-1995)
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35223795
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-487604

Biographies

Bryan Ashbridge was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and educated at Auckland Grammar School where he excelled at sport. He began learning ballet from the age of nine under Joseph Knowsley and in 1938 travelled to Sydney to spend a year training at the Frances Scully school. Whilst in Australia he appeared on stage with the de Basil Ballets Russes.

Returning to New Zealand, Ashbridge finished school and then joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He performed with the Borovansky Ballet during its tour of New Zealand in 1944/1945 and then in 1946/1947, along with fellow dancers Paul Hammond and Peggy Sager, travelled to England to pursue a career in ballet.

In London, Ashbridge studied at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School and won an Adeline Genee gold medal in 1947. The following year he performed as a featured soloist in the film The Red Shoes and joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet, going on to become a soloist and then, in 1957, a principal with the company.

During his years with Sadler's Wells (which became the Royal Ballet in 1956), Ashbridge returned to Australia and New Zealand on several occasions. In 1954 he danced in New Zealand at the Auckland Festival of Arts with fellow New Zealander Rowena Jackson who had also won Genee gold in 1947 and was a colleague at Sadler's Wells. In 1957 the pair again visited New Zealand, this time with dancers Pearl Garden and Derek Westlake from Ballet Rambert. In the same year they came to Australia with fellow Royal Ballet principals Michael Somes and Margot Fonteyn as guests of the Borovansky Ballet during Fonteyn's first Australian tour. Ashbridge and Jackson were particularly acclaimed in the Don Quixote pas de deux and the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake during this tour. Ashbridge then partnered Svetlana Beriosova during the Royal Ballet's inaugural Australian tour the following year. In 1960 he performed in New Zealand with Beryl Grey, and in 1962 he again toured Australia and New Zealand with eight dancers from the Royal Ballet affectionately dubbed the 'Fonteyn Follies'.

Ashbridge was a guest artist with the Bolshoi Ballet during his time with the Royal Ballet. He had the honour of being the first British danseur to perform behind the Iron Curtain, dancing the role of Prince Siegfried in the Bolshoi production of Swan Lake.

On his retirement from the Royal Ballet in 1965, Ashbridge undertook the BBC production course and subsequently produced ballet for BBC television. In 1966 he returned to New Zealand where he joined the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation and produced ballet, gardening, sports, music and religious television programmes.

Ashbridge was invited to come to Australia to produce La Fille mal gardee for the Australian Ballet and in 1969 joined the company as assistant and then associate artistic director. In 1971 he took brief leave of absence to direct the Royal New Zealand Ballet. He toured extensively with the Australian Ballet, coaching and producing as well as appearing as guest artist in many ballets including the title role in Rudolf Nureyev's Don Quixote. He also directed a number of ABC television productions including The Fool on the Hill, a ballet specifically choreographed for television by Gillian Lynne, and was assistant director of the 1973 filmed version of Don Quixote directed by Rudolf Nureyev. In 1980 he was appointed inaugural director of the Dancers Company.

Ashbridge resigned from the Australian Ballet in 1983. He continued his involvement in dance through various television productions and teaching.

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Resources for Bryan Ashbridge

Resources by Bryan Ashbridge (3)

  1. Sadler's Wells Ballet goes abroad / by Franklin White ; with photographs by Bryan Ashbridge
    White, Franklin
    [ Book : 1951 ]
    At 8 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.895)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.895)

  2. Improving your ballet : a video for home practice
    Australia Pacific Licensing
    [ Video : 1990-1992 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.857)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.857)

  3. Another beginning
    Prod Co: Australian Broadcasting Commission
    [ Video ]
    At NFVLS
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.241)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.241)

Resources about Bryan Ashbridge (8)

  1. [Biographical cuttings on Bryan Ashbridge, ballet dancer, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.149)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.149)

  2. Ballet star struck a sporting deal. -Obituary of Bryan Ashbridge, ballet dancer.-
    Ruskin, Pamela; Messenger, Dally
    Australian
    [ Article : 1995 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.277)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.277)

  3. Borovansky Ballet performance of Fonteyn season starring Bryan Ashbridge, Her Majestys, c. 1957 / Walter Stringer
    Stringer, Walter, 1907-2001
    [ Photograph : 1957 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Borovansky Ballet performance of Fonteyn season starring Bryan Ashbridge, Her Majestys, c. 1957 / Walter Stringer
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.039)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.039)

  4. Bryan Ashbridge as Don Quixote in the Australian Ballet production of Don Quixote, c. 1979 / Walter Stringer
    Stringer, Walter, 1907-2001
    [ Photograph : 1979 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Bryan Ashbridge as Don Quixote in the Australian Ballet production of Don Quixote, c. 1979 / Walter Stringer
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.576)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.576)

  5. Alicia Markova and Bryan Ashbridge, Australian Ballet Studios, Flemington, 1976 [Walter Stringer]
    Stringer, Walter, 1907-2001
    [ Photograph : 1976 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Alicia Markova and Bryan Ashbridge, Australian Ballet Studios, Flemington, 1976 [Walter Stringer]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.416)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.416)

  6. New Zealand ballet dancers Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge at the Hotel Australia
    Redshaw, Ken
    [ Photograph : 2010 ]
    View online
    At State Library of NSW
    New Zealand ballet dancers Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge at the Hotel Australia
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.836)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.836)

  7. Ballet on the small screen
    Laughlin, Patricia
    Dance Australia
    [ Article : 1981 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.316)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.316)

  8. Margot Fonteyn in a Dior evening gown backstage on the opening night of her Sydney ballet season at the Empire Theatre
    Redshaw, Ken
    [ Photograph : 2011 ]
    View online
    At State Library of NSW
    Margot Fonteyn in a Dior evening gown backstage on the opening night of her Sydney ballet season at the Empire Theatre
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.827)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.827)

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  1. Fool on the Hill (1975 - )
    Fool on the Hill (1975 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 15 items.

    Choreographed by British choreographer Gillian Lynne, to a scenario by Lynne and Bob Hird, Fool on the Hill was created as a joint venture by the Australian Ballet and the Australian Broad...

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    Created by NLAdance, 19 items.

    A ballet based on the novel Don Quixote by Cervantes first made its appearance in Australia on 5 April 1926. A two act version with choreography by Laurent Novikoff after Petipa was perfor...

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  1. Fonteyn, Margot (1919-1991)
    ... principals, Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge. She returned in 1962 as one ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

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  2. Powell, Ray (1925-2003)
    ... position he shared with Bryan Ashbridge. He retired from the Australian Ballet ...
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  3. Gnatt, Poul (1923-1995)
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    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

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  1. Papers of Geoffrey Ingram
    Ingram, Geoffrey, 1924-2003
    [ Unpublished : 1930-1970 ]
    At National Library
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  1. Sadler's Wells Ballet in America. With photos. by Bryan Ashbridge
    White, Franklin, 1924-
    [ Book ]
    Read online at Hathi Trust
    View online
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.922)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.922)

  2. Margot Fonteyn in Australia : a souvenir to commemorate the 1957 visit to Australia's Borovansky Ballet of one of the world's most fabulous personalities : and her distinguished collegues, Mr. Michael Somes, Miss Rowena Jackson and Mr. Bryan Ashbridg...
    [ Book : 1957 ]
    At UQ Library
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.029)

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  3. Don Juan
    Hurok, Sol, 1888-1974
    [ Book : 1953 ]
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    [ Book : 1949-1955 ]
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  1. Website: Australia dancing
    www.australiadancing.org
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    dancelines.com.au
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  1. Bryan Ashbridge as Don Quixote in t...
    Stringer, Walte...
    [ Photograph : 1979 ]
    Bryan Ashbridge as Don Quixote in the Australian Ballet production of Don Quixote, c. 1979 / Walter Stringer
  2. Alicia Markova and Bryan Ashbridge,...
    Stringer, Walte...
    [ Photograph : 1976 ]
    Alicia Markova and Bryan Ashbridge, Australian Ballet Studios, Flemington, 1976 [Walter Stringer]
  3. Borovansky Ballet performance of Fo...
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    [ Photograph : 1957 ]
    Borovansky Ballet performance of Fonteyn season starring Bryan Ashbridge, Her Majestys, c. 1957 / Walter Stringer
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    Redshaw, Ken
    [ Photograph : 2010 ]
    New Zealand ballet dancers Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge at the Hotel Australia
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    Redshaw, Ken
    [ Photograph : 2011 ]
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  1. The Royal Ballet / a Paul Czinner production for Poetic Films Ltd in association with the Royal Opera House Covent Gardens Ltd ; produced and directed by Paul Czinner
    Royal Opera House (London, England)
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    Languages: English, French
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  2. Isobel Pratt interviewed by Lee Christofis
    Pratt, Isobel, 1914-
    [ Sound : 2007 ]
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    Sager, Peggy, 1924-2002
    [ Sound : 1994 ]
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    De Masson, Paul, 1953-2012
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    ... No of the Australian Ballet rehearsed at the Canberra Theatre yesterday under the watchful .eyes of the ballet master Ray Powell, the co-artistic director Miss Peggy van Praagh, and the director's assistant Bryan Ashbridge. ... 34 words
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  2. New coach for ballet [coming soon]
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995) Tuesday 28 January 1969 p 12 Article
    ... New coach for ballet Mr Bryan Ashbridge, 42, arrived in Melbourne yesterday terday from New Zealand to take up his position as teacher and coach to the Australian Ballet. Mr Ashbridge's career includes dancing with Sadlers Wells Opera Com pany and producing ballet for the BBC and New Zea land ... 53 words
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  3. Covent Carden stars delight Sydney
    The Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982) Wednesday 5 June 1957 p 3 Article Illustrated
    ... Covent Carden »tar« delight Sydney KOW EN A JACKSON and Bryan Ashbridge, who accompanied Dame Margot Fonteyn from England, dancing the pas de deux in '"Don Quixote" at the opening of the Borovansky Ballet at the Empire Theatre. DAME MARGOT FONTEYN and Michael Sames in " scene from "Swan Lake" on ... 73 words
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