Burlakov, Mischa (c.1884 - 1965)

Photographer unknown: Moya Beaver and Mischa Burlakov dancing on a beach, c. 1937

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Mischa Burlakov was born around 1884 in the Ukraine. His family name was Schweiholz not Burlakov and he was a cabinet maker by trade. He moved to London in the early 1890s where he married. He set off for Australia before World War I, probably around 1909 or 1910. He became involved with ballet around the late 1920s and in 1929 was offered a contract by the J. C. Williamson organisation to appear as Pedro in the Melbourne production of the musical Victory.

Burlakov established a school in Sydney and co-founded, with Louise Lightfoot, the First Australian Ballet. While the First Australian Ballet disbanded in the 1950s, Burlakov continued to teach in Sydney until his death in 1965.

Bibliography:

Anne Gollan, 'Mischa Burlakov and the First Australia Ballet', Brolga, 15 (December 2001), pp. 23-25; Michelle Potter, 'More on Mischa', Brolga, 15 (December 2001), p. 26.

See also: First Australian Ballet, The ; J. C. Williamson Ltd. ; Lightfoot, Louise

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Research Materials

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Other resources

Find more about Burlakov, Mischa in:

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