Letters to the Editor
Do you have a comment about one of our articles? Do you have a theatre memory that you would like to share with us? Are you looking for information on a performer or a show? Do you have a suggestion for a future article? Or a photo of a theatre performer or venue that you can't identify. If so, feel free to contact us. Submit your Letter to the Editor by clicking here»
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Dear Editor
At the age of fifteen, I became a dancer at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney and danced in many of the shows. The article about Joy Nichols was one of them I still have the program with my name Wendy Burr as Showgirl.
I had lied about my age, as I was pursuing a career as a ballerina, studying during the day, then wearing spangles and high heels at night.
At 17 years of age left for London joining London’s Festival Ballet, followed by, many musical movies and West End shows. An amazing career.
Now at age 85 living in the USA, I shall always call Australia home ... a beautiful country.
After receiving your email, wanting to know about my career in dance and theatre, here is a short bio from my Professional life in dance.
It all started at my Mother’s Dancing School in Wentworthville, NSW. I was born on a farm in Pendle Hill, and couldn't wait to leave as soon as I turned 15 years old.
That’s when I joined the Tivoli Theatre. Ronnie Hay the Choreographer was artistic and invented so many wonderful shows. Eight shows a week, but I loved it.
Studying Ballet during the days towards the RAD Scholarship to go to London. In a theatrical boarding house, at Kings Cross I rented a room, not the safest place for a young girl, but it was cheap. Lucette Aldous won the RAD Scholarship and was sent to the Royal Ballet School. She was an amazing Ballerina. Sadly, she passed in 2021.
After saving enough money for a passage on an Italian ship to Europe, and eating too much pasta, did not look a ballerina when I arrived. Cut my hair to look like Audrey Hepburn, but looked more like Gina Lollabrigida. Lucky for me the day I went to audition for London's Festival Ballet a girl in the Company had an accident, and I was her height. The following night I was in “Gizelle”. This is August 1955, and I am 17 years old.
Some highlights of six years in the Company were Performing at Grace Kelly’s Wedding in Monte Carlo, in the beautiful Opera House. It was magic! From Pendle Hill to Monte Carlo.
We travelled extensively though out Europe, South America and Isreal. An education in itself. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and left the Company, to dance in the Cliff Richards Movie's ...“The Young Ones” and “Summer Holiday” where I had a wonderful role as the Yugoslavian Sheperdess ... many films followed: “Oliver”, “The Boyfriend”, “Demoiselle de Rochefort” with Gene Kelly ... how exciting is that.
My career continued in London’s West end Musicals, “Billy” with Micheal Crawford, and principal dancer at London’s Palladium “Aladdin” panto, TV specials and much more. Never famous, now married with three children, kept dancing till we relocated to USA. My last performance with the Palm Springs Follies in California at age 69-71 years of age. Now live in Newport R.I . Famous for the Australians winning Americas cup in 1983! Well done Aussies.
Thank you Elisabeth, it’s been a wonderful fulfilling life.
Why I changed my name to Barry? I did not want to be known as Marilyn Burr’s sister. She was a famous ballerina, who passed sadly a year ago.
I think I am the last living member from that period in London’s Festival Ballet 1955-1961.
Wendy Barry
(My Stage Name)
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Geraldine Starbrook’s great aunt, Allea Fleming Dunstan (1886-1966) was soprano who performed in concerts and musicals during the early 20th century. In September 2023 the Glen Eira Historical Society at the Glen Eira Civic Centre put on a display called Musical Notes from Glen Eira. Included in the display were two photos of Allea. The accompanying notes reads:
Allea, a resident of Elsternwick in the 1920s-1930s, was a pupil of the esteemed tenor Walter Kirby, ‘Australia’s forgotten Caruso’. In 1929-30 Allea spent a year studying and travelling in Europe, but on her return was unable to achieve her dream of becoming a professional opera singer.
During the 1920s she performed at many ‘at homes’ and fundraisers.
The Louise Lovely ‘At Home’, held at the Renown Picture Theatre, Elsternwick, on Monday afternoon will enable the Alfred Hospital Auxiliary Commitee to ... maintain their cot in the children’s ward ... The music was much appreciated, also the dancing and recitation. Artists were Mrs. Fleming Dunstan, Mr. Bobby Pearce, Miss Ivy Cook, and Miss Sylvia Jones; also Mrs. Ree’s Orchestra and Mrs. Downing as accompanist. (Prahran Telegraph, 4 December 1925, p.3)
The photo on the left was taken in 1910. The one on the right was taken in July, 1930, possibly by Spencer Shier. He photographed her a few times. It appears to be taken in a theatre. Does anyone recognise this theatre?
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As usual I have greatly enjoyed the latest THA Newsletter, and the piece by Richard Fotheringham on the song ‘A Brown Slouch Hat’ stirred a particular memory with me. Let me tell you about it:
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Searching for any information on my ancestor Abraham Israel Resnick, aka Alex Resnick and/or Raymond Navarro [he used the name]. Born 1906 New York. Died 1932 New York. He went to Australia as a child with either the Australian or British battalions at about 12 years of age in 1918 and presumably stayed there until 1927.
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Aimee Crean, who acted under the stage name Mae CreanIn 2005 I inherited (saved from being burnt on a bonfire) an old trunk full of photos and other memorabilia from a relative. A postcard caught my attention—on the front was the photo of a pretty young lady and on the back was written:
‘Your Cousin—Aimee Crean, with love’. And some wonderful person had added in biro ‘Nellie Dunn’s sister was an actress’.
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I am enjoying Frank Van Straten’s series on tenor Walter Kirby, my great-aunt, Allea Fleming Dunstan, having been one of his many pupils. She was present on several of the occasions mentioned and being part of Melbourne’s musical scene c.1925-1935 was on programs with many of the well-known identities of the period.
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After being in our family for the last 35 years we have always been intrigued by the mystery that surrounds these beautiful wall lamps.
They were in a house my parents purchased at the time and the previous owner had been an antiques dealer in the 60s.
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After reading Peter Pinne's two-part article on the Australian musical The Sentimental Bloke, Lisa Ride, the daughter of Edwin Ride (who created the lead role of Bill) sent us the following comments and pictures.
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