Sir Robert Murray Helpmann
(1909-1986), Ballet dancer, choreographer, actor and producerSitter in 16 portraits
Helpmann began his training with Anna Pavlova when she toured Australia in 1927. He joined the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1933 and partnered the young Fonteyn. A versatile performer, he danced the classic male leads and dramatic roles such as Job and he created comic roles, including an Ugly Sister in Cinderella (1948). During the war he choreographed dance-dramas for the Company, including Hamlet (1942) and Miracle of the Gorbals (1944). He acted on stage and film, most memorably as the Child Catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). He was appointed co-artistic director of Australian Ballet in 1965 and received a knighthood in 1968.
by Houston Rogers
bromide press print, 1940
NPG x184390
Sir Robert Murray Helpmann; Constant Lambert
by John Worley Debenham
bromide press print, 1940s
NPG x194405
Sir Robert Murray Helpmann; Moira Shearer
by Cornel Lucas
bromide fibre print, 1947
NPG x87555
Margot Fonteyn; Sir Robert Murray Helpmann
by Norman Parkinson
bromide print on card mount, 1951
NPG x30080
by Angus McBean
gelatin silver print, circa 1952
NPG x198529
by Anthony Buckley
modern bromide print from original negative, 1954
NPG x76095
by Pamela Chandler
modern bromide print from original negative, September 1956
NPG x88829
Sir Robert Murray Helpmann; Pamela Chandler
by Pamela Chandler
modern bromide print from original negative, September 1956
NPG x125014
Sir Robert Murray Helpmann; Pamela Chandler
by Pamela Chandler
modern bromide print from original negative, September 1956
NPG x125015
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 18 August 1970
NPG x165743
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 18 August 1970
NPG x165744
by Judy Cassab
lithograph, 1984
NPG D32992
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