Original Listing Description

This is a rare June 18th, 1912 programme (with a separate June 17th, 1912 insert) from a performance of the famous leader of the Imperial Russian Ballet, ANNA PAVLOVA at the Palace Theatre in London ..... Known as the Palace Theatre of Varieties, the evening's entertainment included Miss BEATRICE ALLEN (Comedienne), GEORGE MELVIN (Scotch Comedian), Miss KITTY DALE (Comedienne), O'GUST (The Artistic Parisian Mimic), IRENE PENSO (Italian Violinist), REBLA (Comedy Juggler), HENRY CLIVE (The Comedy Conjurer), in his First Appearance in England, KAJIYAMA (The Ambidextrous Caligraphist) and ALBERT WHELAN (The Australian Entertainer). The evening's headliner was ANNA PAVLOVA, Russia's acknowledged greatest Dancer assisted by M. NOVIKOFF, Solo Dancer at the Imperial Opera House in Moscow. The Incomparable ANNA PAVLOWA appeared with Her Imperial Ballet and the company presented "AMARILLA" (First Time in England), parts one and two ..... Biographical Note: Mlle. ANNA PAVLOVA (1881-1931) is widely regarded as one of the finest classical ballet dancers in history and was most noted as a Principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Ballets Russes of Serge Diaghilev. Pavlova is most recognized for the creation of the rôle "The Dying Swan" and with her own company, would become the first ballerina to tour ballet around the world. Pavlova's passion for the art of ballet was realized when her mother took her to a performance of Marius Petipa's original production of The Sleeping Beauty at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre. The lavish spectacle made an impression on the young Pavlova, and at the age of eight her mother took her to audition for the renowned Imperial Ballet School where she was finally accepted at age ten. Upon graduating, she began to perform at the Mariinsky Theatre, debuting on September 19th, 1899. In 1907, Anna Pavlova began her first tour, to Moscow, and by 1910 was appearing at the Metropolitan Opera House in America, making her debut in "Coppelia" in March 1910. In 1914, she was traveling through Germany on her way to England when Germany declared war on Russia. At that time, her connection to Russia was for all intents broken. For the rest of her life, Anna Pavlova toured the world with her own company and kept a home in London, where her exotic pets were constant company when she was there. While her contemporary, Isadora Duncan, introduced revolutionary innovations to dance, Anna Pavlova remained largely committed to the classic style. She was known for her daintiness, frailness, lightness and both wittiness and pathos. Her last world tour was in 1928-29 and her last performance in England in 1930. Anna Pavlova appeared in a few silent films: one, The Immortal Swan, she shot in 1924 but it was not shown until after her death. Anna Pavlova died of pleurisy in the Netherlands in 1931. (Reprinted in part from the website About.com.) ..... PROGRAM DETAILS: The oversized six panel, bi-fold program measures 5 1/2" X 11 1/2" inches (16 1/2" X 11 1/2" inches unfolded) and includes beautiful cover graphics, the list of entertainers and wonderful vintage advertising as well as an insert (last scanned image) with the ANNA PAVLOWA repertoire for the June 17th, 1912 performance ..... CONDITION: With the exception of heavy creasing at the top of the program, tape reinforcement along the inside top edge and minor soiling to the insert, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any classical music aficionado or dance historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Playbill collectors and appraisers.