Kathleen Gorham
Encyclopedia
Kathleen Gorham OBE
(7 September 1928 - 30 April 1983) was an Australia
n ballerina
.
Born in Narrandera, New South Wales
, she lived much of her life in Melbourne
. For professional reasons, Gorham adjusted both the date and location of her birth in latter years, and this is still reflected in some sources.
Gorham began dancing at the age of fifteen with the Borovansky Ballet, continuing to dance with the Ballet until it finally disbanded in 1960 on the death of Edouard Borovansky
. She then danced overseas with companies in Paris and London. In 1962 Kathleen Gorham became prima ballerina of the newly formed Australian Ballet. She danced new roles in association with Robert Helpmann
and played an important role in the artistic development of the new ballet company. She retired from dancing after the Australian Ballet's first overseas tour in 1966, and then taught ballet in Melbourne and Southport
, Queensland
until her death.
Gorham also served as co-artistic director of the National Theatre
in Melbourne. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
in 1968 for her services to ballet. She died in Southport.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(7 September 1928 - 30 April 1983) was an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n ballerina
Ballerina
A ballerina is a title used to describe a principal female professional ballet dancer in a large company; the male equivalent to this title is danseur or ballerino...
.
Born in Narrandera, New South Wales
Narrandera, New South Wales
-Transport:Narrandera is well served for transport. The Sturt Highway and the Newell Highways cross, just south of Narrandera. Greyhound buses pass daily - note that the destination can be listed as Jillenbah....
, she lived much of her life in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
. For professional reasons, Gorham adjusted both the date and location of her birth in latter years, and this is still reflected in some sources.
Gorham began dancing at the age of fifteen with the Borovansky Ballet, continuing to dance with the Ballet until it finally disbanded in 1960 on the death of Edouard Borovansky
Edouard Borovansky
Edouard Borovansky was a Czech- born Australian ballet dancer, choreographer and director. After touring with Anna Pavlova's company, he and his wife settled in Australia where they established the Borovansky Ballet company...
. She then danced overseas with companies in Paris and London. In 1962 Kathleen Gorham became prima ballerina of the newly formed Australian Ballet. She danced new roles in association with Robert Helpmann
Robert Helpmann
Sir Robert Helpmann CBE was an Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer.-Early years:He was born Robert Murray Helpman in Mount Gambier, South Australia and also boarded at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. From childhood, Helpman had a strong desire to be a dancer...
and played an important role in the artistic development of the new ballet company. She retired from dancing after the Australian Ballet's first overseas tour in 1966, and then taught ballet in Melbourne and Southport
Southport, Queensland
-Sport:The Southport Sharks Australian rules football club has a presence in the area, including a club and function centre.-Transport:The Broadwaterway is a foreshoreway that encourages pedestrians and cyclists to travel along the Broadwater foreshores of Southport.A ferry terminal is planned for...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
until her death.
Gorham also served as co-artistic director of the National Theatre
National Theatre, Melbourne
The National Theatre is a 783 seat Australian theatre and theatrical arts school located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of St Kilda, on the corner of Barkly and Carlisle Streets...
in Melbourne. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1968 for her services to ballet. She died in Southport.