Polish Australian Ballet (1943 - c. 1953)

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The Polish Australian Ballet was established in 1943 by Raisse Kouznetsova (as founder) and her Polish compatriots, Valery Shaievsky and Edouard Sobichevsky. All three had elected to remain in Australia at the conclusion of the Covent Garden Russian Ballet tour of 1938-1939.

Dancers who performed with the company, in addition to Kouznetsova, Shaievsky and Sobichevsky, included Paul Hendl, George Rajewsky, Peter Francis, Pam Vockler, Peggy Harber, Myrtle Reeve, Ken Croser, June Newstead, Maria Biship, Barbara Taylor, Pat Alison, Diana Barnett, Hazel Farnsworth, Lydia Stewart, Diana Collins, Peggy Blewitt, Marina Petunia, Pat Stormon, Lloyd Waye, Erast Dorochanko, Lois Christiansen, Walter Phillips, Myrtle Reeve, and Irina Milova.

The company gave performances for the Polish Relief Fund and other charities and toured extensively to regional centres in New South Wales. They also appeared as the featured ballet in some musicals and other concerts.

See also: Ballets Russes Australian tours ; Kouznetsova, Raisse

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Research Materials

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Find more about Polish Australian Ballet in:

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• Articles - New York Public Library Dance Collection