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Interview with Rex Reid, ballet dancer and choreographer, about Natasha Kirsta, ballet school administrator [sound recording] / interviewer, James Murdoch
Bib ID 288026
Format AudioAudio
Author Reid, Rex, 1930-2000
Access Conditions Access open for research, personal copies and public use. 
Description March 1986. 
3 sound tape reels 
Summary

Rex Reid summarises Kirsta's early life in Russia before and during the 1917 Revolution. Her life in Vienna is discussed, including her life with second husband George Kirsta and friends Victor Gsovsky, George Balanchine and Tamara Geva. Reid discusses Kirsta's move to Berlin to direct Gsovsky's ballet school and Kirsta's establishment of a ballet company with Gsovsky called Ballet Kirsta, members of which included Lesley Caron, Brigitte Bardot and Roland Petit. Kirsta's friendship with Jean Cocteau and Misha Sert is discussed. Reid discusses Kirsta's move to Australia and her friendships with the Stravinskys, Arthur Rubinstein, Richard Meale, Marlene Dietrich, Abby Simon, Lila Kedrova and Yul Brynner. Kirsta's influence on Barry Moreland and Les Sinclair is discussed, as is Kirsta's admiration for Reid. Reid discusses Kirsta's love of Australia, her pride in becoming an Australian citizen, and her close friendships with Kathleen Gorham, Ann Church, John Gielgud, Phillip Jones, Barry Reid, Nadia Nerina and Rudolf Nureyev. Natasha's knowledge of art, ballet, ballet history, music knowledge and talent for painting is discussed. Reid comments on her friendship with Katia, Ludmilla and Luba Crassine and the vast amount of correspondence Kirsta kept. He highlights Kirsta's influence on his dance studio in Adelaide, her brilliant business skills and her influence on young dancers. He recalls that many people were nervous of Kirsta and did not understand her, citing Peggy Van Praagh as an example. Reid then discusses the lead up to Kirsta's death, the circumstances surrounding Kirsta's death and the people he notified, including Lila Kedrova and Marcel Marceau who were great friends of Natasha Kirsta.

Notes

Working duplicate and user CD copies made.

Recorded on March 21, 1986 at the Playhouse in the Adelaide Festival Centre, S.Aust.

Subjects Reid, Rex, - 1930-2000 - Interviews.  |  Kirsta, Natasha, - 1894-1982.
Occupation Ballet administrators.
Other Authors Murdoch, James, 1930-
Details Collect From
ORAL TRC 1986/3-5 Petherick Reading Room (Oral History)
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