Sir Robert Murray Helpmann CBE (né Helpman, 9 April 1909 – 28 September 1986) was an Australian ballet dancer, actor, director, and choreographer. After early work in Australia he moved to Britain in 1932, where he joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (now The Royal Ballet) under its creator, Ninette de Valois. He became one of the company's leading men, partnering Alicia Markova and later Margot Fonteyn. When Frederick Ashton, the company's chief choreographer, was called up for military service in the Second World War Helpmann took over from him while continuing as a principal dancer.
Helpmann, from the outset of his career was an actor as well as a dancer, and in the 1940s he turned increasingly to acting in plays, at the Old Vic and in the West End. Most of his roles were in Shakespeare plays but he also appeared in works by Shaw, Coward, Sartre and others. As a director his range was wide, from Shakespeare to opera, musicals and pantomime.
Helpmann became co-director of the Australian Ballet, in 1965, for whom he created several new ballets. He became sole director in 1975 but disagreements with the company's board led to his dismissal a year later. He directed for Australian Opera and acted in stage plays into the 1980s. Although primarily a stage artist, he appeared in fifteen films between 1942 (One of Our Aircraft is Missing) and 1984 (Second Time Lucky), including The Red Shoes, The Tales of Hoffmann, a film version of Igor Stravinsky's ballet-drama The Soldier's Tale ("L'Histoire du soldat") in which Helpmann played the Devil, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Helpmann died in Sydney and was given a state funeral in St Andrew's Cathedral. The Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, gave a tribute in the Parliament of Australia, and a motion of condolence was passed – a rare tribute for a non-politician. Helpmann is commemorated in the Helpmann Awards for Australian performing arts, established in his honour in 2001.
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Some of their strengths
Robert Helpmann has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Independent, Energetic, Strong, Brave, Honest, Intuitive, and Adventurous.
Independent and Brave
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Robert Helpmann is someone who is an independent, brave, and honest person who approaches life with energy, intuition, passion, and generosity. A person who is a bit of a "lone wolf".
Helpful and Supportive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Robert Helpmann well know them as someone who can be accepting, supportive, and productive, like a garden.
Active and Ambitious
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Robert Helpmann as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.
A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.
Stable and Creative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Robert Helpmann is someone who thrives in volatile situations, and who tends to be a source of stability and comfort for others who are experiencing challenging times .
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Independent and Dynamic
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Robert Helpmann tends to be someone who is independent, dynamic, and courageous. Who can be positive, energetic, self-reliant, and adventurous, and who can make friends easily.
Some of Robert Helpmann's challenges
While Robert Helpmann has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Robert Helpmann can be Impulsive, Short-tempered, Complicated, Brusque, Stubborn, Idle, and Aggressive.
Short-tempered and Impulsive
One of Robert Helpmann's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as short-tempered and impulsive.
Robert Helpmann must also exercise caution as they can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Impulsive and Aggressive
Robert Helpmann is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.
Aggressive and Domineering
Finally, Robert Helpmann also can be aggressive, impatient, impulsive, and short-tempered.
