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Returning to Canada in 1949 was not part of David's plans when he first went to London.
It was not, however, the disappointment it could have been after dancing on the European stage.
He was welcomed back to a changed Winnipeg Ballet; Gweneth Lloyd had moved to Toronto in hopes of
starting the National Ballet of Canada and Betty Farrally was now Artistic Director. David
was contracted in Winnipeg for two years, producing three new ballets (Ballet Composite, Geschrei and Masquerade Pas de Deux) and dancing in many others.
He was not destined to stay there. In 1949 he contracted to perform musical theatre with Theatre Under the Stars in Vancouver. There he met his wife-to-be Lois Smith. He also met Aida Broadbent, who was choreographer for David and Lois in Vancouver, then in 1950 took them to Los Angeles to perform with the Civic Light Opera. David was torn at this point; he wanted to return to Europe, but there were opportunities in North America, including film television contracts in the US. In 1951, when he and Lois had their daughter, things were decided very quickly. David and Lois became, with Celia Franca, founding members of the National Ballet of Canada. During David's time at the National Ballet, he and Lois found all the opportunity any dancers could ask for, working with Antony Tudor and other choreographers. They also found a niche for themselves in the infancy of television and the hothouse of the young Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. |
Winnipeg Part II |
Civic Light Opera |
