PERSEPHONE

[Friend of Persephone]

Rumor has it that there are videos of Joffrey Ballet performances from the 1950's. Does anyone have any information? A friend was a principal dancer with the ballet, dancing "Persephone" among other roles. Hope I hear from someone with suggestions. Thanks.

[Amy Reusch]

I wonder if they might have been something Ann Barzel shot... have you checked with the Newberry Library?

[Mme. Hermine]

There is this in the library at Lincoln Center dated 1952:

1 film reel (11 1/2 min., 275 ft.) : si., b&w ; 16 mm.

Note Danced by Lillian Wellein (Persephone), Helen Murielle (Demeter) and company.

Credits Decor and costumes, Read Arnow.

Note Filmed by Carol Lynn at Jacob's Pillow, Lee, Massachusetts.

Summary Excerpts from a two-act ballet.

[Friend of Persephone]

There is this in the library at Lincoln Center dated 1952:

1 film reel (11 1/2 min., 275 ft.) : si., b&w ; 16 mm.

Note Danced by Lillian Wellein (Persephone), Helen Murielle (Demeter) and company.

Credits Decor and costumes, Read Arnow.

Note Filmed by Carol Lynn at Jacob's Pillow, Lee, Massachusetts.

Summary Excerpts from a two-act ballet.

Thank you for your reply.. I found the same reference in an interesting website called "The Estate Project."

[Mel Johnson]

That's not the Joffrey COMPANY, though. The marker year for them is 1956. This was a pickup group.

Edited to add: This is not to take away any of the accomplishments of the Joffrey proto-companies. They played an important part in getting that station wagon with the U-haul trailer out on the road! Persephone actually lived longer in England than it did in the US, as a part of Ballet Rambert's repertoire.