Howes, Dulcie (1908–1993)

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Howes, Dulcie (1908–1993)

South African ballet dancer and teacher. Born Dulcie Joyce Lind Howes, 1908 in near Mossel Bay, Cape Province, South Africa; died 1993; dau. of Justice Reed Howes and Muriel (Lind) Howes; m. Guy Cronwright, 1937; children: Amelia and Victoria.

One of great influences upon ballet in South Africa, 1st trained with Margaret Craske, Tamara Karsavina, and Ella Brunelleschi in London; performed with Anna Pavlova's company there for 1 season; returned to South Africa where she founded University of Cape Town (UCT) Ballet School (1932); choreographed 30 original ballets such as La Famille, Vlei Legend, Bach Suite and The Enchanted Well (1932–52); appointed director of the Little Theatre (the 1st woman to hold that position) and established the UTC Ballet Company (1935), later renamed CAPAB (Cape Performing Arts Board, 1965), where she was artistic director until 1972.

See also Richard Glasstone, Dulcie Howes (1997).