RUSSIAN BALLET

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21206, 31 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

RUSSIAN BALLET

FAREWELL TO AUSTRALIA ON WAY TO AMERICA To the balletomanes who packed the Theatre Royal for the final performance of the Russian Ballet, the night was one of excitement, says a Sydney paper. Even more so than on the first night, as friendships have been formed in the many weeks of their Australian tour and everyone in the audience was there for a final glimpse of favourite dancers. Floral gifts and presents in beribboned wrappings and laurel wreaths reached mountainous proportions after each item and the leading dancers were clapped as they appeared and took dozens of curtain calls. The foyer was packed long before the curtain rose on “Paganini” and a crowd of spectators, unable to get seats, watched for their ballet friends to arrive at the theatre. In the intervals the lounge and foyer were again thronged, while balletomanes discussed every step of the performances. The ballet is going to the United States, where it has been engaged for an eight months’ season, commencing at the Metropolitan Opera. New York. It is hoped to return to headquarters at Covent Garden after that, but if the war continues the ballet will probably tour South America and Australia and New Zealand instead.