Margot Fonteyn - ‘The Merry Widow’ (1976)

This video shows little bits of the ballerina’s performance with the Australian Ballet, and the curtain call at the end of the performance with Robert Helpmann.
Scenario: Robert Helpmann
Choreographer: Ronal Hynd
Music: Franz Lehar
Lovely to have Fonteyn talking about the ballet and Robert Helpmann’s involvement.

[@AmberSlemmer]

Absolutely fantastic. Oh my goodness, that long black skirt!! That would really change the momentum of your turns! But of course, she is, was, and will always be flawless 💖💖💖

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, tricky to dance with. i was lucky to see Fonteyn towards the end of her career - i treasured each performance.

[@isabeldiezlangre9411]

¡ Margot tan elegante como siempre! Bellisima bailarina
❤❤❤🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@JohnRaymondHall]

¡en efecto! :)

[@ausbrum]

Originally created by Marylin Jones. Helpman left the Australian ballet after budget blowouts: the Widow became a staple with a number of companies, thus paying for itself.Its still in the repertoire. Part of the cost was due to the fact that the music publishers insisted on a chorus

[@JohnRaymondHall]

yes, that's right. i posted later film of that ‘The Merry Widow’ with Steven Heathcote and Lisa Pavane czcams.com/video/wPjnndFanac/video.html

[@me67226]

Wish i could see the whole ballet❤

[@JohnRaymondHall]

same here - and better quality :)

[@ingermanndesign]

Please add to the credits: Scenery and Costume Design by Desmond Heeley

[@msbeejones]

so much beauty and poignancy in such short clip!

[@JohnRaymondHall]

very much so - you get all of Fonteyn in it

[@ilovefacebookandebay]

Hello. Was this part of the Magic of Dance series for the BBC ?

[@JohnRaymondHall]

hi. it came from the documentary 'A Portrait of Sir Robert Helpmann - Sir Robert Helpmann - Tales of Helpmann' (1990)

[@rmp7400]

Am among those who admired and loved Margot Fonteyn tremendously
however
that title: "The Merry Widow" has always disturbed me...

[@Twisterjoe]

DO you know about the Viennese operetta, Die Lustige Witwe, or the merry, or good time, or funny/fun widow. Young widow, very wealthy and beautiful, and the antics of men with titles, but no money who try to win her attention. In the end she and her childhood sweetheart find each other, and the other suitors find true love, and her vast wealth stays in the struggling country that needs it, so all ends well. It is a delightful story and has lots of fun music.

[@rmp7400]

Am among those who admired 🏅and loved💖 Margot Fonteyn tremendously🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
however....
that weird title: "The Merry Widow" has always rather disturbed me... 🤔

[@JohnRaymondHall]

i also admired Fonteyn so much. what disturbed you about the title? :) her own life with Tito?