Australia Dancing - Powell, Ray (1925

Powell, Ray (1925 - 2003)

Stringer, Walter: Ray Powell in make-up for Bootface in John Cranko's 'Lady and the fool', the Australian Ballet, 1970s

English-born Ray Powell joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School in 1940, which led to a career as a dancer with the Sadler's Wells and Royal Ballets. In 1962, at the request of Peggy van Praagh, he came to Australia, initially on six months leave from the Royal Ballet, as ballet master to the newly established Australian Ballet. Over the course of the next twenty years he not only worked as ballet master but staged a number ballets, including some of his own choreographies, and appeared in many character roles in company productions.

As a character dancer with the Australian Ballet, Powell was especially well known for roles such as Bootface in Lady and the Fool, Sancho Panza in Don Quixote, the Widow Simone in La Fille mal gardee, Njegus in The Merry Widow and Dr Coppelius in Coppelia. His original works for the Australian Ballet included Just for Fun made for the company's premiere season in 1962, Roundelay created in 1964 to a commissioned score by James Penberthy and with designs by John Brack, Symphony in Gold made in 1969 for the Australian Ballet School and taken into the company repertoire in 1970, and Beethoven Dances created for Elaine Fifield in 1971.

Powell was appointed associate director with the Australian Ballet in 1972, a position he shared with Bryan Ashbridge. He retired from the Australian Ballet in 1982 and from 1985 onwards was closely associated with the Australian Ballet School both as a teacher and adviser. He returned to the stage on many occasions as a guest artist with the Australian Ballet. His final appearances were in 2002 when he performed with the Australian Ballet in Beyond 40, the company's 40th anniversary celebration.

Research Materials

Other resources

Find more about Powell, Ray in:

Internet - Google
Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection
Pictures - Picture Australia
Collection - OzLife