HERITAGE
THE times Dorothy Gladstone lived through her long and productive life were times of enormous change. Born in 1896, she was four when Australia became a Federation; when she was 18 there was a catastrophic World War, followed by the Great Depression, followed by another World War. Yet, through it all, Australia kept dancing, and Gladstone was a leading figure in its development.
When she was growing up in Melbourne, dance as a local professional artform was virtually unknown in Australia. There were no professional ballet companies, and most dance was represented by vaudeville, in particular on the Tivoli circuit.
But there was a great love of dancing. Audiences flocked to see visitors like Adeline Genee in 1913 and Pavlova in 1923 and 1926 and the Ballets Russes in the 30s. JC Williamson's satisfied
