Rhodes Ballet Society
A Ballet Society was formed at Rhodes University College and held its first performance on August 29, 1947, thanks to the efforts of Joan Myburgh and Barbara Eddy. The programme, which included solo items, a suite of dances in classical style and three ballets, was repeated on August 30. Among the members of the Ballet Society were E Parkin, M Ballot, G Dykeman, E Louw, R Angus and J Struthers. The set was designed by Alex Kiddie, of the Art School.
The motivator for the formation of the Rhodes Ballet Society was Chloris Edmonstone-Sammons, who had wide experience as a pupil of both Henrietta Frames (Poppy) in Johannesburg, and Madame Rambert in London. When she arrived at Rhodes she enrolled in the Science Department but was unable to devote much time to her dancing. Unfortunately, on returning from a scientific expedition in the country, the lorry on which she was passenger overturned. Several students were badly injured and Chloris had to spend months in hospital and accept the fact that she would never again be able to stand up to the rigorous toe-work demanded of a ballet dancer due to her leg injuries. She then turned her attention to choreography.
Source
Saturday Post, August 30, 1947.
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