Papers of Dorothy Stevenson, 1932-1977 (bulk 1938-1947) [manuscript]
- Bib ID:
- 1179475
- Format:
- Manuscript
- Author:
- Stevenson, Dorothy, 1916-2009
- Related Online Resources:
- Finding aid at National Library of Australia
- Access Conditions:
- Available for research. Not for loan.
- Description:
-
- [1932-1977]
- 0.36 m. (2 boxes) + 2 folders.
- Summary:
-
MS 3976 comprises a typescript photocopy of Stevenson's unpublished memoir titled "The Borovansky story: Dorothy Stevenson's account".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.
- Originals in private ownership.
- Reproduction:
- In part, photocopies. [S.l.]
- Subject:
- Time Coverage:
- 1932-1977
- Occupation:
- Ballet dancers
- Terms of Use:
- Copying of Dorothy Stevenson’s copyright material permitted for research purposes.
- Copyright:
-
Copyright Undetermined
If you wish to copy or order copies, contact us. For access conditions return to the record display above.
- Reason for copyright status:
- A Manuscript Collection may have a range of formats and dates.
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Literary, dramatic or musical work
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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