Dear Editor
At the age of fifteen, I became a dancer at the Tivoli Theatre in Sydney and danced in many of the shows. The article about Joy Nichols was one of them I still have the program with my name Wendy Burr as Showgirl.
I had lied about my age, as I was pursuing a career as a ballerina, studying during the day, then wearing spangles and high heels at night.
At 17 years of age left for London joining London’s Festival Ballet, followed by, many musical movies and West End shows. An amazing career.
Now at age 85 living in the USA, I shall always call Australia home ... a beautiful country.
After receiving your email, wanting to know about my career in dance and theatre, here is a short bio from my Professional life in dance.
It all started at my Mother’s Dancing School in Wentworthville, NSW. I was born on a farm in Pendle Hill, and couldn't wait to leave as soon as I turned 15 years old.
That’s when I joined the Tivoli Theatre. Ronnie Hay the Choreographer was artistic and invented so many wonderful shows. Eight shows a week, but I loved it.
Studying Ballet during the days towards the RAD Scholarship to go to London. In a theatrical boarding house, at Kings Cross I rented a room, not the safest place for a young girl, but it was cheap. Lucette Aldous won the RAD Scholarship and was sent to the Royal Ballet School. She was an amazing Ballerina. Sadly, she passed in 2021.
After saving enough money for a passage on an Italian ship to Europe, and eating too much pasta, did not look a ballerina when I arrived. Cut my hair to look like Audrey Hepburn, but looked more like Gina Lollabrigida. Lucky for me the day I went to audition for London's Festival Ballet a girl in the Company had an accident, and I was her height. The following night I was in “Gizelle”. This is August 1955, and I am 17 years old.
Some highlights of six years in the Company were Performing at Grace Kelly’s Wedding in Monte Carlo, in the beautiful Opera House. It was magic! From Pendle Hill to Monte Carlo.
We travelled extensively though out Europe, South America and Isreal. An education in itself. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and left the Company, to dance in the Cliff Richards Movie's ...“The Young Ones” and “Summer Holiday” where I had a wonderful role as the Yugoslavian Sheperdess ... many films followed: “Oliver”, “The Boyfriend”, “Demoiselle de Rochefort” with Gene Kelly ... how exciting is that.
My career continued in London’s West end Musicals, “Billy” with Micheal Crawford, and principal dancer at London’s Palladium “Aladdin” panto, TV specials and much more. Never famous, now married with three children, kept dancing till we relocated to USA. My last performance with the Palm Springs Follies in California at age 69-71 years of age. Now live in Newport R.I . Famous for the Australians winning Americas cup in 1983! Well done Aussies.
Thank you Elisabeth, it’s been a wonderful fulfilling life.
Why I changed my name to Barry? I did not want to be known as Marilyn Burr’s sister. She was a famous ballerina, who passed sadly a year ago.
I think I am the last living member from that period in London’s Festival Ballet 1955-1961.
Wendy Barry
(My Stage Name)
