Robert Helpmann achieved so much in the arts in one life that he should be more highly regarded in Australia than he is—but then, he didn’t play cricket, he danced. He danced, he acted, he directed, he created and he was held in international high regard which, for a boy from Mt Gambier, made him one of the great Australian achievers. This is not the first book I have read on Helpmann and I found it to be thorough, obviously vastly researched and full of interesting contemporary comments and reviews. It’s lots of fun and I am sure Helpmann had a great time living his life. It is hard to look back 70 years and fully understand the enormity of setting off to the UK just before WWII, begin dancing with the newly established Royal Ballet, dance through the war, act in Shakespeare in the West End and return to Australia to co-direct the Australian Ballet in 1965. I hope that this biography reaches the market that it deserves and helps in continuing to keep the name of Robert Helpmann at the top of the list of great Australians who have contributed internationally beyond what may fairly be expected of any one person.

Clive Tilsley is the owner of Fullers Bookshop and remembers ‘The Display’ by Helpmann being performed in Launceston when he was about 10 years old

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