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.
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