A Boost For Ballet

Gisborne opened its heart to ballet last month in a way which thrilled members of the New Zealand Ballet Company now touring the Dominion.

And the company, in turn, gave ballet the biggest boost it has ever had in this district.

Danish-born Poul Gnatt, choreographer, leading dancer and producer of the, company, was both surprised and pleased by the Gisborne public's enthusiastic reception.

The dancers are pictured above with members of the Gisborne Ballet Group. The group was formed recently by Mrs Pat Stewart and other enthusiasts to promote the art of ballet in Gisborne.

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Rodney Macdonald and Rosalind Tong in a classic pose

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A touch of humour: The clown, Arthur Turnbull, emerges from a tangle of legs

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Poul Gnatt combines grace and vigour in this scene from "Popular Pastime No. 1"

Sponsoring the company's tour is the Community Arts Service. And "service" was the keynote throughout the dancers' Gisborne visit.

Despite a tight schedule of rehearsal, preparation and performance, the dancers were always willing to help local ballet students, as the pictures on this page show.

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Jill Candy looks on as Rosalind Tong gives some advice to Leslie Clapham.

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Rosalind assists Pat Johnson as she strikes a pose.

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Poul Gnatt

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Gisborne dancers with members of the company

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Rosalind and Rodney in "Petrouchka"