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Papers of Dorothy Stevenson, 1932-1977 (bulk 1938-1947) [manuscript]
Bib ID 1179475
Format ManuscriptManuscript
Author
Stevenson, Dorothy, 1916-2009
 
Access Conditions Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan. 
Description [1932-1977] 
0.36 m. (2 boxes) + 2 folders. 
Summary

MS 3976 comprises a typescript photocopy of Dorothy Stevenson's unpublished memoir titled "The Borovansky story: Dorothy Stevenson's account". This contains her experiences with the Borovansky Ballet from its beginnings in the late 1930s until 1952. Also included are two black and white photographs: a portrait of Edouard Borovansky and a group photo (2 folders).

The Acc10.029 instalment includes Stevenson's choreographic notebook for Chiaroscuro, programmes, souvenir volumes, news clippings, and notes on various Australian performances of the Ballets Russes and Borovansky Ballet, and minutes and notes from the Melbourne Ballet Club and Society of Ballet and Recorded Music. There are also black and white photographs including production photographs of Giselle and Les Sylphides, hand drawn sketches of dancers, autographed portraits and programmes of youth ballet recitals (2 boxes).

Biography/History Ballet dancer. Dorothy Stevenson began her dance training in Brisbane with Peggy Chauncey. She also studied in England with a number of teachers, including Pruzina, and returned to Australia in 1938 dancing under the name of Katia Assenkova, on tour with de Basil's Covent Garden Russian Ballet. Stevenson remained in Australia for the next several years. She was a principal dancer with the Borovansky Ballet in the first years of the 1940s and was especially lauded for her roles in Borovansky's Fantasy on Grieg's Concerto in A minor and in his Spanish-inspired ballet L'Amour ridicule. For Borovansky she staged her Sea legend, which had its Australian premiere at Melbourne's Comedy Theatre in November 1943. Stevenson married an English doctor (Rumsey) in 1946 and moved to England where she danced with the International Ballet. She returned for the Borovansky Ballet's season of 1951 dancing leading roles in a number of ballets including Borovansky's full length Sleeping Princess. In 1951 she also produced her own Chiaroscuro for the Borovansky Ballet. Stevenson died in 2009. 
Notes

Manuscript reference no.: MS 3976, MS Acc10.029.

Some photocopies.

Originals in private ownership.

Subjects Stevenson, Dorothy, - 1916-2009 - Archives.  |  Borovansky, Edouard, - 1902-1959 - Portraits.  |  Borovansky Ballet - Employees - Archives.  |  Ballet dancers - Australia - Archives.  |  Ballet - Australia.  |  Dance companies - Australia.
Occupation Ballet dancers.

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    Members of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Maori communities are advised that this catalogue contains names and images of deceased people. All users of the catalogue should also be aware that certain words, terms or descriptions may be culturally sensitive and may be considered inappropriate today, but may have reflected the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written.