'Thamar' (1912) - 'The Original Ballet Russe', Australian tour 1939-40

Serge de Diaghilev died in 1929 and his famed Ballet Russe company dissipated. But it was soon re-constructed in a number of new companies, each claiming to the carriers of the legendary tradition. Three of these companies toured Australia during the 1930s: '(Colonel W. de Basil's) Monte Carlo Russian Ballet' (1936-7), 'Covent Garden Russian Ballet, presented by Educational Ballets Ltd' (1938-9) and 'The Original Ballet Russe' (1939-40). All were under the aegis of Colonel W. de Basil.

A number of the performances, informal practice sessions and general horsing round during these tours were recorded as home movies by Ewan Murray-Will.

Of the performances of works from the Diaghilev era, there was 'Thamar' (1912) which was choreographed by Mikhail Fokine with music by Mily Balakirev. It was based on a poem by Mikhail Lermontov. The decor and costumes were by Leon Bakst and the principle dancers at the first performance were Tamara Karsavina and Adolph Bolm.

What's interesting about this revival is that it allows us to see not-widely-known work by this legendary choreographer.

And it's in colour - while most of Ewan Murray-Will's footage is in black and white.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Thamar
• Tamara Karsavina
• Adolph Bolm
• Diaghilev
• Ballet Russe
• Mikhail Fokine
• Leon Bakst
• Ewan Murray-Will
• Mikhail Lermontov

[debhig]

I recognized the dance movement, Lezghinka, which was featured in the Marquis de Cuevas ballet of Georges Skibine, "Prisoner of the Caucasus". Of course, Khachaturian's "Gayaneh" features a Lezghinka.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi debhig - thanks for that - great to find out more about the videos that get uploaded! cheers, nick

[ditogam]

Dear Nick , Thank you very much for this video 

[nickwallacesmith]

hi ditogam - very happy you liked seeing it - the footage hasn't been well circulated so it's good to put it out there for people to appreciate !

best, nick

[nickwallacesmith]

hey Sayo7MaE

the original music for the ballet was by

nick

[nickwallacesmith]

hi Tamara02031919 - you are exactly right about the Georgian influence in this work - i've just been reading richard buckle's authoritative book 'diaghilev' about this ballet, best, nick

[ditogam]

@Tamara02031919 As I read, Balakirev's work is based on the Lermontov's poem Demon, and this story wholly takes place in Georgian mountains, particularly in Kazbegi ... Obviously costumes and dance should be inspired by Georgian folk

[Sayo7MaE]

does anyone have the song?