Who are the Friends?
Wellington is one of eight branches throughout New Zealand
supporting the Royal New Zealand Ballet.
What do Wellington Friends do?
We are volunteers
who support the RNZB by:
- increasing the appreciation of ballet through talks and
demonstrations.
- encouraging more people to attend ballet through advance
seminars and forums.
- helping young dancers though the introduction of the Young
Friends programme launched in 2003.
- helping young dancers through Master
Classes where students get to experience teaching by
the company's Artistic Director.
- raising money for the company for specific projects with
a variety of interesting and innovative events. The Friends
(nationally) continue to be the official "shoe"
sponsor (2002-2008), this is a major financial commitment
supported by all the branches of the Friends.
Recent notable achievements of the Wellington Friends
2008 November 14 0 Film evening at Times Cinema
2008 July 6 - Mid Winter dinner with Sir Jon and friends
2008 June 28 - Master Classes, Dance Bonanza, Romeo &
Juliet Forum
2008 April 4 - Film Evening at Times Cinema
2008 February 2 - RED Forum & Dance Bonanza
2008 January 27 - BBQ at Days Bay
2007 August 25 - Master Classes, Dance Bonanza, Cinderella
Forum
2007 May 19 - Master Classes, Dance Bonanza, Swan Lake Forum
2007 April 5 - Tutus on Tour at Expressions Theatre
2007 February 4- BBQ and Walk in Karori Sanctuary
2006 July 28 - Trinity Forum
2006 February 11 - The Wedding Forum
2006 January - Young Friends & Adult Friends - visit
to the Zoo
History of the Friends of the Ballet
The concept of a support group for the Royal New Zealand
Ballet is not new. Back in 1954 when the ballet company then
known as "The New Zealand Ballet" under the leadership
of Poul Gnatt was first touring, it was Poul's dream that
public demand for a ballet company would encourage the government
to fund a national ballet company. During that initial tour
with personnel of one male dancer, Poul Gnatt, three ballerinas,
one pianist and one driver cum stage manager cum extra, at
the end of each performance the dancers - still in full costume
were sent out into the foyer to accept donations and to sign
people up as "Friends" of the ballet. Ultimately
it was hoped that with a membership of 20,000 the government
would be forced to heed the request for financial support.
In return for 5/- the "member" was given two seats
at a 10% discount price, at the next performance in that town
plus they would receive, from time to time news of the company
in the form of a newsletter. At the end of the tour a register
was compiled with the names and addresses and records were
kept. This continued until 1958 when the NZB became registered
as a charitable body. A trust board was appointed and the
ballet company became official. Sometimes members received
"Pointe" magazine, sometimes members received a
note reminding them their membership fees were due and sometimes
the year went from Jan 1 to Dec 31, sometimes from 1 July
to 30 June and sometimes from the time you paid until twelve
months later!!! Various administrative staff looked after
sending of membership cards and mailing of magazines but as
it was no one person's responsibility members were "just
there".
At the 30th Birthday celebrations it was mooted by Kieron
Goodwin - the then Tour Manager, that "Dance Action"
groups be formed. Initially to help with publicity for the
company by way of distributing posters and flyers and generally
being there if the company needed anything when they were
on tour. While there were several ex-company members who offered
to help in this way, Hawke's Bay was the only area where an
actual committee was formed to offer the company hospitality
and to help in the publicity as well as raise money so that
functions could be held and profit go to the NZB. The "Friends"
membership in Hawke's Bay rose from twenty to one hundred
and I believe that this gave management and the Board the
idea that there was potential for a strong support group.
Mark Keyworth, then General Manager put a proposal to the
Board in 1989 and they voted to establish a National Organization
to be known as "Friends of The Royal New Zealand Ballet".
Approval was sought and given for the organization to become
registered as an Incorporated Society and approval given for
the name to be used.
During 1990 Mark Keyworth traveled throughout New Zealand
talking to existing members and others who it was felt might
be interested to be a part of this new organization. Each
area to be autonomous, but answerable to the national organization.
Since the formation of the "Friends" as an Incorporated
Society in 1991 the membership has increased and over the
years many tens of thousands of dollars have been donated
to the RNZB through the fund-raising efforts of the members.
As well benefits such as having an assured portion of audience
booking early and talking to others about the forthcoming
performance are part of the intangible assets of the "Friends"
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