Australia Dancing - Fonteyn, Margot (1919

Fonteyn, Margot (1919 - 1991)

Stringer, Walter: Margot Fonteyn, John Meehan (left) and Kelvin Coe in 'The Merry Widow', the Australian Ballet, 1977

Born Peggy Hookham, British ballerina Margot Fonteyn received her early dance training in England and Shanghai before being accepted into Ninette de Valois' Vic-Wells Ballet in London in 1934. Her first major partner was Robert Helpmann with whom she created many roles in ballets choreographed by Fredrick Ashton. She went on to become prima ballerina assoluta with the Royal Ballet and to develop acclaimed professional partnerships with two other dancers, Michael Somes and, later, Rudolf Nureyev.

During her career, which spanned over 40 years, Fonteyn danced in over 30 countries. She first came to Australia in 1957 as a guest artist with the Borovansky Ballet when she danced in Swan Lake Act II and Aurora's Wedding. On this visit she was partnered by Michael Somes and accompanied by two other Royal Ballet principals, Rowena Jackson and Bryan Ashbridge. She returned in 1962 as one of an ensemble of 8 dancers from the Royal Ballet. The group was affectionately known as the Fonteyn Follies and, in addition to Fonteyn, comprised Bryan Ashbridge, David Blair, Ronald Emblen, Maryon Lane, Annette Page, Brian Shaw and Australian dancer Robin Haig. The group presented several works from the Royal Ballet's repertoire including Symphonic Variations, Le Spectre de la rose and a scaled down version of Birthday Offering.

Fonteyn's next visit was in 1964 when she appeared as a guest artist with the Australian Ballet. On this occasion she was partnered by Rudolf Nureyev and the visit was a public triumph. Fonteyn and Nureyev danced the leading roles in Peggy van Praagh's production of Giselle, and in a full-length production of Swan Lake.

Fonteyn briefly visited Australia in 1970, appearing as a guest with the Australian Ballet in Canberra where, partnered by Garth Welch, she danced Odette in Swan Lake Act II. Her next major visit, however, came in 1977 when she appeared in Adelaide, Launceston, Melbourne and Perth as Hanna, the Widow, in Robert Helpmann's and Ronald Hynd's production of The Merry Widow. Fonteyn had previously danced the role of Hanna as a guest with the Australian Ballet both on the company's first tour to the United States in 1976 and during its 1976 visit to the Philippines.

Bibliography:

Edward Pask, Ballet in Australia. The Second Act 1940-1980 (Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 1982)

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Find more about Fonteyn, Margot in:

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