Excellent, Smack, very informative! Such a vast grasp of the picture as always! You are amazing. Wow!
Just a couple of points you may be interested in. The recording I have of "The Australain Ballet" was live from the Victorian Arts Centre on 20th. June, 1989. However, the copy I have was released in 1994. Perhaps it was re-released in 2000 for your enjoyment?
Infact, I originally saw it performed on TV not knowing there was a spanking in it. (Yes, I have a cultured side!) Interviewed performers referred to the fact their performance was celebrating the 150th. anniversary of "La Fille Mal Gardee". (I wonder what that translates to in English?) It is ironical, then, that the Aussie ballet didn't adhere more closely to the original performance of what presumably occurred in 1839. Whatever, I'm jolly glad they opted for the more modern interpretation! Perhaps it was just a good chance to get a spanking into their performance!
In my copy's version, Fiona Tonkin is dragged to her spanking by her skirt. Her expression of resignation to the spanking just prior to being placed over her stage Mother's knee is classic! It could be the carrying under the arm in other performances may explain why a guy in 'drag' was cast as the Mother? (Even I'd consider dressing in drag for that role, & that's really saying something!) Perhaps it would have been a bit much for an older female lead to carry the naughty little imp to her fate so a male was cast? Just spaculating.
It is interesting later when Lise is contemplating her future as a Mother herself that she simulates her thoughts by pretending to spank an imaginary child. That may explain why the spanking was added to this ballet, that going from being the spanked to the spankee signifies the transition from being a girl to womanhood that this ballet portrays. Just some of my thoughts.
More to the point, sure would love to see any of those pics you mentioned, Smack! Then I could die a happy man, (just not too soon!) Great to know they are / were around! The fact such prima donnas, bless them, would pose in such a way was really great!,
Keep It coming,
Jindabyne.