Not Sweating the Small Stuff

The Russian Ballet in Australia in the 1930's

Tamara Toumanova dancing at Bungan Beach, one of Sydney's Northern Beaches (1939-40)

Serge de Diaghilev died in 1929 and his famed Ballet Russe company dissipated. But it was soon re-constructed in a number of new companies, each claiming to the carriers of the legendary tradition.

Three of these companies toured Australia during the 1930’s: '(Colonel W. de Basil's) Monte Carlo Russian Ballet' (1936-7), 'Covent Garden Russian Ballet, presented by Educational Ballets Ltd' (1938-9) and 'The Original Ballet Russe' (1939-40). All were under the aegis of Colonel W. de Basil.

A number of the performances, informal practice sessions and general horsing round during these tours were recorded as home movies by Ewan Murray-Will ...

... notably (in the 1938-39 tour) Tamara Toumanova (the 'Black Pearl' of the Baby Ballerinas) playing at practising at Bungan Beach, one of Sydney's northern beaches ...

... Tamara Toumanova and Serge Lifar similarly practising in a garden ...

... and an unidentified male dancer having (mostly) fun at the water's edge ...

These legendary dancers suddenly seem more real - away from the stage and being informal and silly ... and in my own back yard!