INTERESTING VISITORS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20732, 16 February 1939, Page 11

INTERESTING VISITORS

THE RUSSIAN BALLET JOLLY, FRIENDLY PEOPLE DOLIN TALKS OF DIAGHILEFF Members of the Russian Ballet are interesting personalities, and a Waikato Times representative found them very jolly, friendly people to meet. -Anton Dolin—-who is really Patrick Healey-Kay, an Irishman —is filled with the spirit of the Ballet, and talks it in a dozen languages. He rehearses incessantly, and, although he is such a brilliant solo dancer, he never obtrudes his genius, being noted for his unselfishness when partnering the women dancers, and effacing himself when the surge of the ballet demands the sudden prominence, for effect, of some of the others. Acclaimed as Nijinsky’s successor, Anton Dolin is said to have interpreted more roles than any other living dancer. Tribute to Diaghileff Speaking of the joy brought to people by the Ballet, Dolin said—"l wonder if a thought goes out to the late Serge do Diaghileff, the one man who really was responsible for all this strange exotic new entertainment that is so .quickly becoming an important part of the artistic life of several countries. “The man who first brought the ballet to Western Europe, who moulded so perfectly together the musician, painter and choreographer! “The real producer of the ballet masterpieces of to-day and the indirect inspirer of those of to-morrow! “A man who for more than 20 years kept together his great company of dancers, who first brought the incomparable Karsavina and Nijinsky" In 1911 to Europe, who showed and proved that the male dancer was something more than a support or a leaning-post for the ballerina! “The man who first showed the choreographic genius of Fokine to Europe, who discovered the same great qualifies in Massine, Balanchine and Nijinska! Owe Their Fame to Him “A man ever searching for new talent, encouraging and teaching him or her, adding to the glories of the dance and the ballet. “If it had not been for Diaghileff the repertoire of ballet would have been different, very different, to-day, perhaps non-existent. “It was he who first discovered the genius of Stravinsky, and so ‘Petrouchka’ came about. “Alexander Benois, who did the decor, was already an important figure in Russia, but it was Diaghileff who first introduced his work to Europe. “Pablo Piccasso, greatest modern painter of to-day, was discovered by DiaghilefT. “Dancers, musicians and painters owe their fame to this great man. “He was always domineering and adamant, but never too great to admit that he was wrong. It was that quality that made his authority so supreme. Discrimination In Australia “I was astounded by the way in which audiences, selected good from bad in Melbourne and Sydney. I did not expect such critical ability,’’ said Dolin. To Become Good Dancer One of the principal ballerinas of the Russian Ballet is Irina Baronova, who has a spontaneous smile, a charming and friendly manner, a great gift of humour, and speaks English easily and fluently. Baronova said that if one wished to take up a ballet career one must have a good figure, straight legs and a good ear for rhythm and music, beside a talent for dancing and a love of the dance. Starting with those qualifications. one could become a good dancer only after constant work. Prefers Classical Dance Another charming principal ballerina is Tatiana Riabouchinska. who has a fair complexion and blonde hair, which she wears in a long bob. “I prefer the classical dance—it has so much more feeling and so much more dancing.’’ she said. “Some people prefer the modern ballets, but I think that they will pass, while the classical ballets will always remain, like old paintings.” Most of the members of the Ballet are great lovers of animals, and Riibouehinska has a beautiful English setter, which >hn has named Stetpka.