Description :

War Memorial Opera House Playbill – Fonteyn & Nureyev, Royal Ballet (1965)

This rare and authentic Playbill from the War Memorial Opera House’s July 1965 engagement of the Royal Ballet is a radiant jewel in mid-20th-century dance ephemera. Held from July 1 through July 6, 1965, this performance showcased the company’s transcendent artistry, anchored by the legendary partnership of Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, whose chemistry and technique redefined modern ballet. Additional principal dancers included Antoinette Sibley, David Blair, Lynn Seymour, and Christopher Gable, with full ensemble contributions from the Royal Ballet company, each artist part of this historic tour's majesty.

Creative stewardship was helmed by Sir Frederick Ashton (Director), with choreography by Kenneth MacMillan, Ninette de Valois, and Ashton himself. Musical selections included compositions by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Sergei Prokofiev, and Igor Stravinsky, performed under the baton of John Lanchbery, whose conducting imbued each piece with dynamic emotionality. Scenic and costume design were by the visionary Nicholas Georgiadis, lighting by John B. Read, and wigs by Stanley Hall—each adding visual texture to the evening’s palette of movement and sound.

Production support featured John Field as Company Manager, with Peter Wright serving as Stage Manager and Monica Mason as Associate. The tour was brought to life by producers Dame Ninette de Valois and David Webster, with casting overseen by John Hart. Promotional efforts were handled by Harold Holt Ltd., and advertising managed through Collett Dickenson Pearce & Partners. The War Memorial Opera House, renowned for its acoustics and elegance, provided the ideal setting for this ballet tour’s poetic resonance.

This Playbill is printed in monochrome ink with saddle-stitch binding, featuring a period-specific cover illustration that harmonizes with the performance’s artistic themes. This is not a reprint or souvenir edition, but a genuine performance-issued Playbill from the original San Francisco run—essential for collectors of Royal Ballet memorabilia, devotees of Fonteyn & Nureyev, and connoisseurs of 20th-century performing arts history.

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