Phyllis Spira

Phyllis Spira was a celebrated South African ballet dancer.

She was a performer of immense skill and theatrical intelligence. Her career spanned decades of professional stage work. She was known for her ability to interpret many different roles. These roles ranged from the lyrical to the highly dramatic. She also mastered technically spectacular dances. In 1984, she achieved a rare distinction. She was named the first South African Prima Ballerina Assoluta. This title marked her as a supreme dancer of the highest order.

Spira's journey began in the suburb of Orange Grove, Johannesburg. She was born to Lazar and Fanny Pauline Spira. Her parents were working-class people. She began her ballet training at the age of four. She attended Hebrew nursery school and local schools in Johannesburg. Her talent became very clear during her school years. Her headmistress recognized her exceptional ability. This recognition allowed Spira to leave school after the tenth grade. She needed more time to pursue professional dance training. At age 16, she moved to London to attend the Royal Ballet School.

Training in London led to rapid professional success. The director of the school, Ninette de Valois, compared her to Alicia Markova. This comparison noted Spira's special qualities of movement. After only a few months of study, Spira made her debut. She performed in the ballet Swan Lake at Covent Garden. She danced the pas de trois in act 1. She also performed as a cygnet in acts 2 and 4. By age 17, she joined the Royal Ballet touring company. She worked with this group from 1960 to 1963. She was promoted to the rank of soloist in 1961.

As a soloist, Spira traveled extensively across the globe. She performed in the English provinces and continental Europe. Her tours included Scandinavia, the Middle East, and the Far East. She even appeared on television in England and Japan. Her repertoire included roles in works by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan. She also performed the title role in John Cranko's Pineapple Poll. In 1962, she performed the role of Phyllis in Toccata. This role was created specifically for her. Despite her international success, she felt a longing for her home in South Africa. She decided to return in 1964.

Upon her return, Spira became a central figure in South African ballet. She first joined PACT Ballet in Johannesburg. Later, she moved to Cape Town to join CAPAB Ballet. She served as a principal dancer there for twenty-eight years. She worked with several notable partners during her time. These included Gary Burne and Eduard Greyling. Spira's performances were noted for their classical purity and steely technique. She was a gifted dancer of many styles. She performed classical works like Giselle and Don Quixote. She also excelled in Spanish dance productions. Her versatility made her a beloved figure in the Cape Town dance community.

Spira received many prestigious honors for her contributions to art. She won the Nederburg Award for Ballet twice. She also received the Lilian Solomon Award and the Bellarte Woman of the Year Award. In 1984, the president of South Africa granted her the title of prima ballerina assoluta. This was a unique honor for a South African dancer. She also received the Order for Meritorious Service, Gold. In 2000, the Cape Tercentenary Foundation gave her the Molteno Medal. This medal recognized her lifetime of service to the performing arts. These awards reflected her status as a national treasure.

After an injury in 1988, Spira retired from dancing on stage. She continued to serve the ballet community as a ballet mistress. She and her husband, Philip Boyd, focused on community outreach. They led the Dance for All program through the David Poole Trust. This program brought dance instruction to underprivileged children. It reached children in townships like Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Khayelitsha. It also served rural areas like Barrydale and Montagu. The program helped more than seven hundred children every year. Spira spent her later years ensuring that dance was accessible to many.