Martyn, Laurel (1916-)

Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35624864
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-675056

Biographies

Born in Toowoomba, Queensland, as Laurel Gill, Laurel Martyn received her early dance training with Kathleen Hamilton in Toowoomba and Marjorie Hollinshed in Brisbane. In 1933 Martyn left Australia for further training. In England she studied with Phyllis Bedells and in 1934 won a choreographic scholarship from the Association of Operatic Dancing (later the Royal Academy of Dancing) with her first composition Exile. She passed all her Royal Academy exams to Solo Seal and in 1935 won the Adeline Genee gold medal, the second Australian to do so in the then short life of the competition, which began in 1931. In 1935 Martyn also arranged the dances for a production of The Waltz King and in the same year received second prize in a choreographic competition, the Pavlova Casket, for her ballet Sigrid.

Martyn joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (later Sadler's Wells Ballet) in 1936. She was the first Australian woman to be accepted into the company and by 1938 was a soloist. While in England she changed her name from Gill to Martyn, also a family name. She danced in many of Frederick Ashton's early ballets including Horoscope, Nocturne and Le Baiser de la fee and also spent time in Paris studying with the Russian emigre ballerinas Lubov Egorova and Mathilde Kchessinska.

Martyn came back to Australia in 1938 following the death of her father. On her return she took up a position in Melbourne with well-known teacher Jennie Brenan. While teaching for Brenan she was offered the dancing lead in Hiawatha, a pageant produced by T. E. Fairbairn and choreographed by Brenan, which opened in Melbourne's Exhibition Building on 21 October 1939. The ballet cast of 80 was led by Martyn, Serge Bousloff and Lawrence Rentoul. While performing in Hiawatha Martyn was noticed by Edouard Borovansky who persuaded her to join his fledgling Borovansky Ballet, which she did in 1940 following a brief return to Queensland. Martyn, along with Edna Busse and fellow-Queenslander Dorothy Stevenson, was Borovansky's leading artist in the early Borovansky days and she danced and created leading roles with Borovansky until 1945. Created roles for the Borovansky Ballet included the Spirit of the River in Borovansky's meditation on his Czech homeland, Vltava. While with Borovansky she also restaged Sigrid and reworked what is probably her best known work, En Saga, which premiered for the Borovansky Ballet in 1941.

Martyn left the Borovansky Ballet after her marriage to Lloyd Lawton in 1945. But in 1946, at the request of the Melbourne Ballet Club, Martyn took on the directorship of Ballet Guild, as the Melbourne Ballet Club had renamed itself. She was its director for an extended period. Ballet Guild became Victorian Ballet Company in 1963 and Ballet Victoria in 1967. Martyn was at the helm until 1973. She also established a school associated with Ballet Guild and students from the school augmented professional dancers in Ballet Guild productions. Martyn created many original works for Ballet Guild and Ballet Victoria productions and collaborated with Australian composers, including Dorian Le Gallienne, Margaret Sutherland, John Tallis, Esther Rofe, and Verdon Williams, and Australian designers, including Alan McCulloch, Len Annois, and John Sumner. Some of her works also had specifically Australian themes, notably The Sentimental Bloke (1952) and Mathinna (1954). Other significant works that Martyn made in this period included L'Amour enchantee (1950), a full-length Sylvia (1962), Voyageur (1956) and Eve of St Agnes (1966).

Martyn also developed a specific method for teaching dance especially to children, the principles of which she published in Let them Dance (1985). She also was instrumental in forming the Young Dancers' Theatre, for which she choreographed several works in the 1980s, and the Classical Dance Teachers Australia Inc, which provided in-service training for dance teachers. She was also on the steering committee for the Australian Institute of Classical Dance in the early years of its development. Martyn guested with the Australian Ballet as Mar in The Sentimental Bloke in 1985, as the mother of James in La Sylphide also in 1985, as Berthe, Giselle's mother, in Giselle in 1986 and as Miss Maud in The Competition (Le Concours) in 1989. In 1991 she reproduced Michel Fokine's Le Carnaval for the flagship company. In 1997 she was the recipient of the award for lifetime achievement at the inaugural Australian Dance Awards.

For more about the early years of Ballet Guild and Martyn's involvement in it see 'Inspiring mentors: Valrene Tweedie and Laurel Martyn', National Library of Australia News, July 2002.

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Resources for Laurel Martyn

Resources by Laurel Martyn (26)

  1. Papers of Laurel Martyn
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Unpublished : 1901-1988 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Papers of Laurel Martyn
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.385)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 21.385)

  2. Laurel Martyn / research & interview, James Murdoch
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Video : 1984-1990 ]
    At 11 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.901)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 19.901)

  3. Let them dance : a preparation for dance and life / Laurel Martyn ; illustrated by Margaret Mackie
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Book : 1985-2004 ]
    At 26 libraries
    Let them dance : a preparation for dance and life / Laurel Martyn ; illustrated by Margaret Mackie
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.892)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 13.892)

  4. Laurel Martyn interviewed by Mark Gordon in the Esso Performing Arts collection
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Sound : 1989 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.652)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.652)

  5. Carolyn Harrison as the Sympathetic Woman and Janet Karin as the Aggrieved Woman in Laurel Martyn's "En Saga", 1962, [1] Eric Smith
    Smith, Eric
    [ Photograph : 1962 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Carolyn Harrison as the Sympathetic Woman and Janet Karin as the Aggrieved Woman in Laurel Martyn's "En Saga", 1962, [1] Eric Smith
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.462)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.462)

  6. Help them dance! : classical technique , teaching manual / Laurel Martyn ; illustrations by Ian Thompson
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Book : 2004 ]
    At 2 libraries
    Help them dance! : classical technique , teaching manual / Laurel Martyn ; illustrations by Ian Thompson
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.044)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.044)

  7. The sentimental bloke : ballet / music, John Tallis ; [choreography, Laurel Martyn]
    Tallis, John
    [ Printed music : 1951-1959 ]
    At Baillieu Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.903)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.903)

  8. Mathinna [a ballet in 2 acts] / choreography by Laurel Martyn ; music by Esther Rofe
    Rofe, Esther
    [ Printed music : 1955 ]
    At Baillieu Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.881)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 4.881)

  9. Sentimental bloke : ballet two acts / John Tallis, October 1951 ; Ballet Guild ; choreography, Laurel Martyn
    Tallis, John
    [ Printed music : 1951 ]
    At Baillieu Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.754)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.754)

  10. Dancers of the Victorian Ballet Guild in Laurel Martyn's 'En Saga', 1962 / Eric Smith
    Smith, Eric
    [ Photograph : 1962 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Dancers of the Victorian Ballet Guild in Laurel Martyn's  'En Saga', 1962 / Eric Smith
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.632)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.632)

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Resources about Laurel Martyn (70)

  1. Papers of Laurel Martyn
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Unpublished : 1901-1988 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Papers of Laurel Martyn
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.705)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.705)

  2. Laurel Martyn / research & interview, James Murdoch
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Video : 1984-1990 ]
    At 11 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.056)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 20.056)

  3. [Biographical cuttings on Laurel Martyn, 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: 15.144)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 15.144)

  4. Laurel Martyn interviewed by Mark Gordon in the Esso Performing Arts collection
    Martyn, Laurel, 1916-
    [ Sound : 1989 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.681)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.681)

  5. Portrait of Laurel Martyn [Edouard Borovansky]
    Borovansky, Edouard, 1902-1959
    [ Art work : 1941-1949 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn [Edouard Borovansky]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.132)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.132)

  6. Portrait of Laurel Martyn in costume [for the tango in the ballet Facade] [Edouard Borovansky]
    Borovansky, Edouard, 1902-1959
    [ Art work : 1943 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn in costume [for the tango in the ballet Facade] [Edouard Borovansky]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.948)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.948)

  7. Carolyn Harrison as the Sympathetic Woman and Janet Karin as the Aggrieved Woman in Laurel Martyn's "En Saga", 1962, [1] Eric Smith
    Smith, Eric
    [ Photograph : 1962 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Carolyn Harrison as the Sympathetic Woman and Janet Karin as the Aggrieved Woman in Laurel Martyn's "En Saga", 1962, [1] Eric Smith
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.309)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.309)

  8. Portrait of Laurel Martyn, London, 1938
    [ Photograph : 1935 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn, London, 1938
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.066)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 7.066)

  9. Portrait (head) of Laurel Martyn, 1952 / Helmut Newton
    Newton, Helmut, 1920-2004
    [ Photograph : 1952 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait (head) of Laurel Martyn, 1952 / Helmut Newton
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.966)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.966)

  10. Laurel Martyn [in] Ballade, Vic. Ballet Guild, 1946 / Ronald Esler
    Esler, Ronald
    [ Photograph : 1946 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Laurel Martyn [in] Ballade, Vic. Ballet Guild, 1946 / Ronald Esler
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.961)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.961)

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  1. Borovansky Ballet (1939-1961)
    ... their own works. Laurel Martyn, for example, mounted her Sigrid and ...
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  2. Denton, Margaret Abbie (1937-2008)
    ... Laurel Martyn. She also danced in stage and television shows at this time ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

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  3. Ballet Victoria
    ... back to 1946 when Laurel Martyn established Ballet Guild at the request of the ...
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  1. The Sentimental Bloke (1952 - )
    The Sentimental Bloke (1952 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 19 items.

    Laurel Martyn created The Sentimental Bloke for her company, Ballet Guild, in 1952. It premiered in Melbourne at Ballet Guild's Studio Theatre, 420 Bourke Street, on 14 March with Martyn a...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.004)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.004)

  2. En Saga (1937 - )
    En Saga (1937 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 13 items.

    Laurel Martyn first choreographed a version of En Saga to the Sibelius tone poem of the same name in London in 1937. It premiered at a charity matinee and was at first not considered a cri...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.003)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.003)

  3. Sigrid (1935 - )
    Sigrid (1935 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 10 items.

    Sigrid premiered at the Rudolf Steiner Hall, London, on 27 July 1935 as an entry in the Pavlova Casket competition. Designed by Hugh Stevenson and danced to music by Grieg, the work won se...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.003)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.003)

  1. Portrait of Laurel Martyn [Edouard ...
    Borovansky, Edo...
    [ Art work : 1941-1949 ]
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn [Edouard Borovansky]
  2. Portrait of Laurel Martyn in costum...
    Borovansky, Edo...
    [ Art work : 1943 ]
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn in costume [for the tango in the ballet Facade] [Edouard Borovansky]
  3. Portrait of Laurel Martyn, London, ...
    [ Photograph : 1935 ]
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn, London, 1938
  4. Portrait of Laurel Martyn (Gill)
    [ Photograph : 1934 ]
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn (Gill)
  5. Portrait (head) of Laurel Martyn, 1...
    Newton, Helmut,...
    [ Photograph : 1952 ]
    Portrait (head) of Laurel Martyn, 1952 / Helmut Newton
  6. Portrait of Laurel Martyn / photogr...
    Shmith, Athol, ...
    [ Photograph : 1940 ]
    Portrait of Laurel Martyn / photography by Athol Shmith
  1. Website: Australia dancing
    www.australiadancing.org
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  2. Website: Victorian Arts Centre
    www.theartscentre.com.au
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  3. Website: Paul Hagon
    www.paulhagon.com
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    Finch, Tamara, 1919-
    [ Unpublished : 1911-2004 ]
    At National Library
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    Bartram, Judy
    [ Unpublished : 1940-1950 ]
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    Zlotkowski, Ruby
    [ Unpublished : 1933-1978 ]
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  1. Laurel Martyn
    [ Video : 1984 ]
    At State Library of QLD
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  2. Dance! Laurel Martyn
    Australian Film Institute
    [ Video : 1984 ]
    At ACPE Library
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  3. Lake : ballet in 1 act, set for orchestra and using one soprano voice in places = L'Amour enchanté / choreography by Laurel Martyn ; music by Esther Rofe ; story by Tom Rothfield
    Rofe, Esther, 1904-2000
    [ Printed music : 1962 ]
    At Monash Uni Library
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    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1603-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Spanish, Russian, [26 others]
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  1. Paper empires : a history of the book in Australia, 1946-2005 / edited by Craig Munro & Robyn Sheahan-Bright
    Munro, Craig, 1950-
    [ Book : 2001-2006 ]
    At 113 libraries
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    Sargent, John, 1780-1833
    [ Book : 1820-1858 ]
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  3. Let Them Dance / Martyn, Laurel, Andrewartha, Jane
    [ Book : 2004 ]
    Let Them Dance / Martyn, Laurel, Andrewartha, Jane
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  4. General alumni catalogue, 1916. Comp. for the university under the direction of W. J. Maxwell
    New York University
    [ Book : 1916 ]
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  1. AUSTRALIAN BALLERINA Laurel Martyn's London Art LONDON, March 5.
    The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Wednesday 23 March 1938 Supplement: The Mercury Woman's Realm p 8 Article Illustrated
    ... 'AUSTRALIAN BALLERINA Laurel Martyn's s London Art 5. (From Nell Murray, Special Representative-By ... traditional art of the I Da^,e ; as practised at Sadler's Wells. Miss Laurel. » J*MS rafL Martyn is, in ... choreographic scholar I ships. I. . MISS LAUREL MARTYN, in a Chopin Ballad ballet, in which she ... 734 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.83)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.83)

  2. Brisbane Girl As London.... BALLET Dancing STAR Miss Laurel Gill ... Of St. Lucia... ALTHOUGH only 22 years of age has composed five ballets Her stage name is Laurel Martyn.
    The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954) Thursday 31 March 1938 Section: Second Section. p 1 Article Illustrated
    ... Brisbane Girl As London.... BALLET Dancing STAR Miss Laurel Gill ... uiu ? .-... . Of St. Lucia. ALTHOUGH only 22 .years of. age has composed five ballets ... . Her stage name is Laurel Martyn. IN a ... Miss Brenan two days after she lands. MISS LAUREL MARTYN MISS LAUREL MARTYN ... 380 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.101)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.101)

  3. BALLET COACH
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Saturday 2 April 1938 p 33 Article Illustrated
    ... BALLET COACH -(Kay vaughan) VaUBhnn) Miss Laurel Martyn ... 8 words
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.047)

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  1. A lifetime with dance: profile. -Laurel Martyn-
    Laughlin, Patricia
    Dance Australia
    [ Article : 1986 ]
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.304)

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  2. Inspiring mentors Valrene Tweedie and Laurel Martyn
    Potter, Michelle
    National Library of Australia News
    [ Article : 2002 ]
    View online
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  3. -Collection of seven articles in honour of Laurel Martyn, OBE-
    Karin, Janet and others
    Brolga
    [ Article : 1996 ]
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  4. A slant of her own: [The work of ballerina and choreographer Laurel Martyn. Paper in: Portraits of the Artist.]
    Grove, Robin
    Meanjin (Melbourne)
    [ Article : 2003 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
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