Sir Robert Helpmann OBE 1909-1986

In 1981 Helpmann worked with the Australian Opera, directing Alcina by Handel, a production
later re-staged with Joan Sutherland in the title role. In 1983 he celebrated his 60th year in theatre with involvement in productions in the three main auditoriums of the Sydney Opera House: in the Concert Hall he directed Anson Austin and Glenys Fowles in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette for the Australian Opera; in the Opera Theatre he re-choreographed The Display for the Australian Ballet; and in the Drama Theatre he starred for the Sydney Theatre Company in the world premiere of Justin Fleming’s play The Cobra, directed by Richard Wherrett. Helpmann’s portrayal of the elderly Lord Alfred Douglas, reflecting bitterly on his notorious youthful relationship with Oscar Wilde, was unforgettable.

In 1984 Helpmann made a notable guest appearance in a special two-part episode of the television drama series A Country Practice. In 1985 he was the Red King in Checkmate for the Australian Ballet, reviving a role created for him nearly half a century before. It was his last stage appearance.

Helpmann died as he had always lived: as a creature of the theatre. ‘Theatre remains the only thing I understand,’ he said. ‘It is in the community of the theatre that I have my being. In spite of jealousies and fears, emotional conflicts and human tensions; in spite of the penalty of success and the dread of failure; in spite of tears and feverish gaiety - this is the only life I know. It is the life I love.’ He died on 28 September 1986. More than 1000 people packed St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney for his memorial service.

Shortly before his death, Sir Robert donated his papers to the National Library of Australia, and he and his siblings, actors Sheila and Max, established The Helpmann Bequest to assist with the training of NIDA students. The 542-seat community theatre in his birthplace, Mount Gambier, has been named in his honour, and there is a statue of him in the foyer of the Adelaide Festival Centre. The Helpmann Academy in Adelaide unifies the skills and resources of South Australia’s universities and TafeSA, bringing together courses in music, dance, drama, directing, visual arts, technical theatre production and design. And, in 2001, when Live Performance Australia inaugurated its annual awards for performing arts excellence, the name that came naturally was, of course, ‘The Helpmanns’.

Sir Robert has been portrayed by actor Tyler Coppin in a monodrama called Lyrebird: Tales of Helpmann. This started life as a satirical sketch at the 1995 Sydney Fringe Festival, and was later developed into an acclaimed full theatre piece. It has been seen throughout Australia and in London, Edinburgh, and New Zealand, and Coppin, in character, opened the 2001 Helpmann Awards ceremony.

Frank Van Straten, 2007