Australian Ballet, The - Corroboree

1951, 10 Minutes. Exempt from classification.

An early attempt by the National Theatre Ballet Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to synthesize elements of traditional Aboriginal dance and ceremony into a formal, contemporary ballet. Inspired by composer John Antill’s best known work which was based on an authentic corroboree that he had witnessed as a child, the ballet was commissioned by the Arts Council of Australia and was choreographed by Rex Reid.

This is the film of the world premiere of Corroboree in Sydney, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the rehearsal, design and preparation that went into it.

Produced by the Department of the Interior for the Australian National Film Board. © 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.