Katherine Dunham And Her Dancers

Katherine Dunham (1909–2006) was a noted dancer, anthropologist, and choreographer. During her career as a dancer she developed new techniques and created dances based on material she collected during her anthropological research. In 1937 she formed her own dance company to express her ideas. This company began touring internationally in 1943, and visited Manila, Singapore, and Malaya in 1957.

52 NEGRO DANCERS FOR COLONY – A famous American dancer, Katherine Dunham, will perform in Singapore next month with her original Broadway company of 52 Negro dancers. They will later tour the Federation. Mr. S. A. Rao, vice-president of the Cathay Organisation, announced this yesterday. “We feel it is time Malaya saw first-rate shows, other than cinemas,” said Mr. Rao. “So we decided to bring Katherine Dunham here after her very successful tour of Australia and New Zealand.” Miss Dunham, daughter of a Negro father and French-Canadian mother, specialises in dances of the West Indies, as well as Spanish dances, and Balinese and Javanese dance forms. Her repertoire ranges from primitive folk rhythms to hot jazz. She first formed her company 20 years ago in New York, and among successful pupils was Eartha Kitt, the film star and singer. Apart from her dancing, Katherine Dunham is a noted anthropologist, lecturer, and broadcaster. She will bring 80 tons of costumes, lights, and properties to Malaya. Her Singapore season will open at the Odeon Theatre on June 27. [Straits Times, May 24, 1957, p. 7] (The opening was actually not until July due to delays in the full cast arriving by ship because of bad weather.)

Katherine Dunham’s dance company toured widely for many years. They also appeared in several films including Casbah (1948) and Mambo (1955). After touring Australia and New Zealand, the company went to Manila, and in July 1957 appeared in Singapore at the Odeon Theatre and in Kuala Lumpur at the Pavilion.

SMASH-HIT – Miss Katherine Dunham and her company who opened their season at the Odeon Theatre last night made such a sensational impact that it is difficult to do justice to the kaleidoscope of colour, rhythm, and movement that engulfed us from the stage. From the moment the curtain rose on “Afrikque,” dedicated to the free state of Ghana, and until it fell on the modern American “Cake Walk” – the brilliant finale – Miss Dunham had the audience enthralled… The consummate artistry of the dancers, original choreography, and lavish costumes are only part of this rare entertainment. [Straits Times, July 4, 1957, p. 4]

‘PUBERTY’ AND ‘FERTILITY’ IN NEW DUNHAM SHOW – Two controversial dances in the Katherine Dunham show, banned during her recent New Zealand tour, will be included in the Singapore programme from tonight. They are based on primitive tribal rituals expressing “Puberty” and “Fertility.” Three Singapore police censorship officers saw a special performance yesterday and gave the dances their approval. [Straits Times, July 10, 1957, p. 5]

DUNHAM FINALE – Miss [Katherine] Dunham and her troupe of dancers, singers, and musicians will give their last performance today. She will leave for the Federation tomorrow morning where she will perform at the Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur. [Singapore Standard, July 15, 1957, p. 3]

Shirley Santos, 20, a ballet specialist who starred in several Filipino films “was given an audition when the Dunham show as in Manila. Last month she received a telegram asking her to join the show in Singapore.” [Straits Times, 14 July 1957, p.5]