Happy birthday RNZ Ballet

A DigitalNZ Story by Thomasin Sleigh

It's the Royal New Zealand Ballet's 60 birthday this year. Here's an en pointe set to celebrate their history.

Royal New Zealand ballet, 60 anniversary, dancing, ballet, tutu, St James

Image: Principal ballerina Sara Neil seated in a dressing room - Photograph taken by the Evening Post

Principal ballerina Sara Neil seated in a dressing room - Photograph taken by the Evening Post

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified guests in front of display board at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand

Unidentified guests in front of display board at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Arrival of stars of the Royal Ballet, with Dame Margot Fonteyn with fur hat

Arrival of stars of the Royal Ballet, with Dame Margot Fonteyn with fur hat

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Sara Neil performing a jete from Dream Visions

Sara Neil performing a jete from Dream Visions

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Members of the New Zealand Ballet Company and their Commer van

Members of the New Zealand Ballet Company and their Commer van

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Swan lake

Swan lake

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Image: Royal New Zealand Ballet production of Charade at Hamilton

Royal New Zealand Ballet production of Charade at Hamilton

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ricardo Ella from the Phillipines on his first day of rehearsals with the Royal New Zealand Ballet - Photograph taken by Stuart Ramson

Ricardo Ella from the Phillipines on his first day of rehearsals with the Royal New Zealand Ballet - Photograph taken by Stuart Ramson

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Unidentified guests, one of whom is holding binoculars, at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand, including tuxedo and tiara

Unidentified guests, one of whom is holding binoculars, at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand, including tuxedo an...

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Ballet in New Zealand

Ballet in New Zealand

NZ On Screen

Image: Webb, Murray 1947-:Sir Jon Trimmer (circa 1997-1999).

Webb, Murray 1947-:Sir Jon Trimmer (circa 1997-1999).

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Interior of the St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington

Interior of the St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington

St James Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Painting the ceiling of the St James Theatre, Wellington

Painting the ceiling of the St James Theatre, Wellington

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Anna Pavlova dancing

Anna Pavlova dancing

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Our Stars of Ballet

Our Stars of Ballet

NZ On Screen

Image: Unidentified guests at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand, with evening wear including fur stoles

Unidentified guests at the premiere of the Royal Ballet Company's 1959 tour of New Zealand, with evening wear including fur stoles

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Civic Theatre, Auckland

Civic Theatre, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: [Civic Theatre]

[Civic Theatre]

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Civic Theatre, Queen Street, Auckland

Civic Theatre, Queen Street, Auckland

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Napier Municipal Theatre

Napier Municipal Theatre

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Photographs of dress rehearsal for New Zealand Ballet Company production

Photographs of dress rehearsal for New Zealand Ballet Company production

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Photograph of dress rehearsal for New Zealand Ballet Company production of "Les Sylphides"

Photograph of dress rehearsal for New Zealand Ballet Company production of "Les Sylphides"

Alexander Turnbull Library