Jan 27 2008
Robert Helpmann
The trouble with nude dancing is that not everything stops when the music stops. Robert Helpmann Every human society practices dance as a celebration of the emotional, mental, and physical human self.
If not for the strength and skill of the male dancer, ballet would not have moved from court entertainment to popular art form and found its place in the hearts of audiences today.
The greatest Australian dancer was Robert Helpmann. Born in South Australia in 1909, Helpmann decided to take up the world of dance at an early age and kept dancing until just before his death. He left for London in 1932 and for more than thirty years worked in England in dance, theatre and film. One highlight of his youthful career was the dazzling partnership with Dame Margot Fonteyn.
Helpmann returned to Australia to perform many times. In 1965 he took up the coveted post of artistic director of the Australian Ballet, sharing the position with Peggy van Praagh for ten years.
Among his choreographic works Helpmann is remembered for his first - Comus, created for the Vic-Wells (later Sadlers Wells) Ballet. In Australia he produced Display (1964), the Japanese-inspired Yugen (1965), Sun Music (1968) and Perisynthyon (1974). With Rudolf Nureyev he directed a film version of the ballet Don Quixote. Whatever works Helpmann created were always based on his philosophy that all art should be entertaining.
The Helpmann Awards
The Helpmann Awards are named in honour of Sir Robert, and to commemorate his memory and achievements, were established by the Australian Entertainment Industry Association (AEIA) to recognise, celebrate and promote our entertainment industry, similar to the Tony Awards on Broadway and the Olivier Awards in London.
The Awards annually recognises distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia’s vibrant live performing arts sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, opera, classical music, dance and physical theatre.
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