Anna Pavlova in New Zealand - A Centennial Celebration

Join us for an interesting and insightful illustrated lecture on the great Russian dancer, who toured New Zealand and visited Christchurch in 1926.

Wellington dance writer and critic, Jennifer Shennan and Christchurch art historian, Ian Lochhead, will examine the impact of Pavlova’s tour, her repertoire and the reactions of local audiences.

When the great Russian dancer, Anna Pavlova toured New Zealand in May and June 1926 she enthralled audiences from Auckland to Dunedin. In Christchurch she, along with her company of 50 dancers and orchestra of 22 musicians, performed in the Theatre Royal for six nights from 21 June. No one who saw Pavlova dance ever forgot the experience, and in New Zealand her name became forever linked with an iconic dessert.

This illustrated presentation will include video clips of Pavlova on stage as well as an interview with Sir Frederick Ashton, the great British choreographer, for whom seeing Pavlova dance was a life-changing experience.

This lecture is part of the Christchurch Heritage Festival 2026 (16 to 26 October).