Australian Ballet.

Also known as
Australian Ballet, The. (1962-)
Australian National Ballet Company.
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35231438
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-489225

Biographies

The Company was formed circa 1961 and gave its first professional performance in 1962.

View the full record at Libraries Australia

The Australian Ballet gave its first performance on 2 November 1962 at Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney. The company was led by principal artists Kathleen Gorham, Marilyn Jones, Garth Welch and Caj Selling and the opening night production was a full length Swan Lake with guest stars Sonia Arova and Erik Bruhn dancing the principal roles. Many of the soloists in that first company were former members of the Borovansky Ballet, as were Gorham, Jones and Welch.

Since the company's foundation it has been directed by Peggy van Praagh (1962-1974) - a position she shared with Robert Helpmann between 1965 and 1974; Robert Helpmann (1975); Anne Woolliams (1976-1977); Peggy van Praagh (1978); Marilyn Jones (1979-1981); Marilyn Rowe (1982) as caretaker ballet director; Maina Gielgud (1983-1996), Ross Stretton (1997-2001) and David McAllister (2001-).

The company is a touring repertory company, a model it inherited from the Borovansky Ballet and, before it, from the Ballets Russes companies that toured in Australia between 1936 and 1940. From the beginning the Australian Ballet aimed to present a variety of works to its audiences. The company's founding documents stated that the company would stage the great classics from the nineteenth century, the most distinguished ballets of the twentieth century from all countries in both classical and contemporary styles, and new works of Australian origin. In effect the company's repertoire has largely reflected the background and experiences of its various directors. The English-ness of van Praagh, the European background of Gielgud and the American experiences of Stretton have all been noticeable, for example, although each director has to a greater or lesser degree also encouraged the development of Australian choreography.

Throughout its history the company has had five resident choreographers. In 1976 Graeme Murphy rejoined the company after a period spent dancing overseas. He rejoined not as a dancer but as the company's choreographer, although by the end of 1976 he had left the Australian Ballet to take on the direction of Sydney Dance Company. In 1995 Maina Gielgud appointed Stanton Welch and Stephen Baynes as resident choreographers. Both have choreographed a number of works for the company since their appointment. In 2000 Ross Stretton gave a similar appointment to Natalie Weir who held her position until 2001. In 2003 David McAllister appointed Adrian Burnett as the fifth resident choreographer in the company's history. Burnett held his position until 2006, leaving Baynes and Welch as the continuing resident choreographers.

For a panorama of images showing dancers of and productions by the Australian Ballet take the Picture Australia Australian Ballet trail. This trail showcases images from the National Library of Australia's W. F. Stringer and Don McMurdo Collections.

The Australian Ballet runs an extensive community education programme, details of which are available on the company website's 'Education' page.

Related people and organisations

Resources for Australian Ballet.

Resources by Australian Ballet. (247)

  1. The Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical, Archived website : 2001-2012 ]
    View online
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 91.288)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 91.288)

  2. The Australian ballet news
    Australian Ballet Foundation
    [ Periodical : 1986-2008 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 69.003)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 69.003)

  3. Australian ballet / Hélène Kirsova ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1944 ]
    At 12 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.31)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.31)

  4. Ballet news (Southbank, Vic.)
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1900-2013 ]
    Possibly online
    At 4 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 65.39)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 65.39)

  5. News (Australian Ballet)
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1997-2001 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 62.261)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 62.261)

  6. Beyond 40 : the Australian Ballet celebrating 40 years of dreams / photographs by Jeff Busby
    Lawson, Valerie, 1943-
    [ Book : 2002 ]
    At 63 libraries
    Beyond 40 : the Australian Ballet celebrating 40 years of dreams / photographs by Jeff Busby
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.808)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.808)

  7. Update / Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1990-2012 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.83)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.83)

  8. News from the Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1980-1990 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 49.174)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 49.174)

  9. [Press release] / The Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1900-2012 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 41.445)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 41.445)

  10. In theatres, In schools, In communities / The Australian Ballet, Education
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 2000-2012 ]
    At State Library of VIC
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.915)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 35.915)

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Resources about Australian Ballet. (1,268)

  1. The Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical, Archived website : 2001-2012 ]
    View online
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 90.057)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 90.057)

  2. The Australian ballet news
    Australian Ballet Foundation
    [ Periodical : 1986-2008 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.76)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.76)

  3. Australian ballet / Hélène Kirsova ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1944 ]
    At 12 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.241)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.241)

  4. Ballet news (Southbank, Vic.)
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1900-2013 ]
    Possibly online
    At 4 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 63.598)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 63.598)

  5. News (Australian Ballet)
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1997-2001 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 61.014)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 61.014)

  6. Beyond 40 : the Australian Ballet celebrating 40 years of dreams / photographs by Jeff Busby
    Lawson, Valerie, 1943-
    [ Book : 2002 ]
    At 63 libraries
    Beyond 40 : the Australian Ballet celebrating 40 years of dreams / photographs by Jeff Busby
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.268)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 54.268)

  7. The Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet Foundation
    [ Book : 1969 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.441)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 51.441)

  8. Update / Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1990-2012 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 50.625)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 50.625)

  9. News from the Australian Ballet
    Australian Ballet
    [ Periodical : 1980-1990 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 47.854)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 47.854)

  10. Inside the Australian ballet / Diana Lawrenson
    Lawrenson, Diana
    [ Book : 1999 ]
    At 102 libraries
    Inside the Australian ballet / Diana Lawrenson
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.371)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 43.371)

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  1. Ballet Imperial (Australian context)
    Ballet Imperial (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 11 items.

    Ballet Imperial has been performed in Australia solely by the Australian Ballet, its Australian premiere taking place at the Tivoli theatre, Sydney, on 26 October 1967. This work was creat...

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.281)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.281)

  2. Chitrasena Ballet Australian tours (1963 - )
    Chitrasena Ballet Australian tours (1963 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 7 items.

    The Chitrasena Ballet first toured to Australia under the auspices of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust in 1963. After their initial performance at the Festival of Perth, the company present...

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.186)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.186)

  3. New York City Ballet Australian Tours (1958 - )
    New York City Ballet Australian Tours (1958 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 7 items.

    New York City Ballet made its first tour to Australia in 1958. Appearing in Sydney and Melbourne the company was brought to Australia by the J. C. Williamson organisation whose advertising asserted...

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.89)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 1.89)

  1. Borovansky Ballet (1939-1961)
    ... Borovansky Australian Ballet Company, the Borovansky Ballet of 40 and the ...
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.076)

  2. West Australian Ballet Company
    ... West Australian Ballet was founded by former Ballets Russes dancer Kira Bousloff ...
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.073)

  3. Queensland Ballet
    ... The Queensland Ballet, Australia's first professional state dance company, began ...
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    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.035)

  1. Portrait of Janet Karin, Australian...
    [ Photograph : 1960 ]
    Portrait of Janet Karin, Australian Ballet
  2. [Portrait of Ray Powell, Australian...
    [ Photograph : 1960 ]
    [Portrait of Ray Powell, Australian ballet master and Karl Welander in class, the Australian Ballet]
  3. Portrait of Mark Brinkley, the Aust...
    McMurdo, Don, 1...
    [ Photograph : 1976-1998 ]
    Portrait of Mark Brinkley, the Australian Ballet / Don McMurdo
  4. Portrait of Andrea Toy in Sleeping ...
    McMurdo, Don, 1...
    [ Photograph : 1976-1998 ]
  5. [Group portrait at Australian Balle...
    Ellis, Rennie, ...
    [ Photograph : 1992 ]
    [Group portrait at Australian Ballet reception for National Ballet of Cuba] Rennie Ellis
  6. Portrait of Joanne Canning in Kette...
    McMurdo, Don, 1...
    [ Photograph : 1976-1998 ]
  1. Hassell Architects: two projects
    Shannon, Tim; Lyon, Hamish
    Architecture Australia
    [ Map, Article : 1990 ]
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  2. Bundaberg : vocal one-step / words and music by Harry Harmer
    Harmer, Harry pianist
    [ Printed music, Map : 1924-1929 ]
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    Bundaberg : vocal one-step / words and music by Harry Harmer
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  3. Boonooroo / compiled by Survey and Mapping Section, Department of Forestry
    Queensland. Dept. of Forestry
    [ Map : 1977-1983 ]
    Languages: English, Italian, French, German
    At 2 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: 0.015)

    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: 0.015)

  1. AUSTRALIAN BALLET
    Goulburn Evening Post (NSW : 1940 - 1957) Wednesday 10 May 1950 Edition: Daily and Evening p 5 Article
    ... AUSTRALIAN BALLET The Arts Council of Australia hopes to arrange performances abroad of the Australian ballet "Corroboree" by John Antill. ... 20 words
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.46)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.46)

  2. AUSTRALIAN BALLET.
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 23 November 1935 p 12 Article
    ... AUSTRALIAN BALLET. The first Australian Ballet, directed by Louise Lightfoot, and Misha Burlakov, Is to be given at the Savoy Theatre, on Thursday, when "Carnival" val" and "Lake of Swans" will be featured. ... 33 words
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.416)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.416)

  3. AUSTRALIAN BALLET.
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 22 February 1936 p 14 Article
    ... AUSTRALIAN BALLET. The First Australian Ballet, directed by Louise Lightfoot and Misha Burlakov, will present a repeat performance of "Carnival" and "Lake of Swans," at the Savoy Theatre on Wednesday. March 4 ... 32 words
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.416)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.416)

  1. Records of the Australian Theatre Ballet
    Australian Theatre Ballet
    [ Unpublished : 1955 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.841)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 18.841)

  2. [Australian Ballet : programs and related material collected by the National Library of Australia]
    [ Published : 1900 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.959)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 16.959)

  3. Records of Ballet Australia
    Ballet Australia
    [ Unpublished : 1956-1976 ]
    At National Library
    Records of Ballet Australia
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.172)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.172)

  1. The Australian Ballet : Opening Act 1962-1972
    2002 Compilation produced by National Film and Sound Archive (asScreenSound Australia) andNational Library of Australia
    [ Video : 2002 ]
    At NFVLS
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.556)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.556)

  2. The australian ballet - corroboree
    Australia. Commonwealth Film Unit
    [ Video : 1951-2012 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.97)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 14.97)

  3. Boro's Ballet : the making of an Australian ballet, 1939-1961
    National Library of Australia
    [ Video : 2001 ]
    At 12 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.16)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.16)

  4. Inside the Australian ballet [videorecording]
    Australian Broadcasting Corporation
    [ Video : 2001 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.072)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 10.072)

  1. Australian ballet / [by] David Formby
    Formby, David, 1942-
    [ Book : 1976-1978 ]
    At 46 libraries
    Australian ballet / [by] David Formby
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.033)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 67.033)

  2. Australian ballet / Kirsova ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1944-1980 ]
    At 5 libraries
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 31.892)

  3. Prospectus / The Australian Ballet School
    Australian Ballet School
    [ Book : 1964-1977 ]
    At National Library
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  4. Australian ballet and modern dance / David Formby
    Formby, David, 1942-
    [ Book : 1981 ]
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.395)

  1. Dance lines / West Australian Ballet
    West Australian Ballet Company
    [ Periodical : 1992-1999 ]
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 53.71)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 53.71)

  2. Australian Ballet School
    Australian Ballet School
    [ Periodical, Archived website : 2001-2012 ]
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 50.088)

  3. Ballet bulletin / Australian Ballet Society
    Australian Ballet Society
    [ Periodical : 1900 ]
    At 4 libraries
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 49.839)

  4. Bodytallking / West Australian Ballet
    West Australian Ballet Company
    [ Periodical : 2000-2012 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 47)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 47)

  1. Website: Australian Ballet
    www.australianballet.com.au
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    View 5640 matching archived pages
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.093)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.093)

  2. Website: West Australian ballet
    www.waballet.com.au
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    View 864 matching archived pages
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.465)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.465)

  3. Website: Australian Ballet School
    www.australianballetschool.com.au
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    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.31)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.31)