Wartime Romance Memories of an ENSA Ballet Dancer

Memories of a Ballet Dancer

My name is Barbara Lang and I was born on May 7 1926 in London. I was still at school when war broke. I have two passions in life, one a love of horse and the other dancing.

In dancing I was awarded several medals in competition in England, notably gaining first prize in All England with a score of 96 out of 100, with Flora Fairbourne as adjudicator - who was not known for giving high marks!

I particularly wanted to join a ballet company. My teacher became a premier ballet dance in the Anglo Polish Ballet Company and my goal was to join her. But at 14 yeas of age I was too young to I became a qualified teacher.

While a student teacher in Cone Ripman School in Baker Street, London I had the opportunity to do some film work and was one of six chosen to do a ballet scene with Jean Kent in "Fanny by Gaslight"

I PREFERED BALLET
An opportunity arose for me to take over a school of my own in Bishops Stortford, and Mrs Ripman was very disappointed when I did not accept. Instead one of the teachers Sheila Elliot Clarke got me an audition with Jack Hilton; in order to become a really good teacher I felt that I needed to have more stage experience - not just in pantomime and films but with a ballet company.

after doing chorus work in a pantomime, I was offer a position in one of Jack Hilton’s show, and he agreed that he would release me from my contract is I had an offer from a ballet company.

REHEARSING NEAR THE FAMOUS WINDMILL THEATRE
While rehearsing in rooms in London which overlooked the Windmill Theatre (which never closed during the air raids) I remembered two of the dancer that were working there - Hazel Baylis and Valeria Tandy.

Valerie's mother was wardrobe mistress at the theatre, and I did not realise until later that Betty Boothroyd was also there at that time.

A BALLET DANCER AT LAST
Then it happened, a letter came from Helena Wolska (my first teacher) the Anglo Polish Ballet Company was at the Hammersmith Theatre and would I like to
audition to join them.

Well, you can imagine my excitement, but more exciting - I not only passed the audition, but was on stage that night and by the end of the week was in everyone of their production which included Swan Lake and Les Sylphides.

OFF OVERSEAS
First of all the Company toured England, Scotland and Wales and then we were asked to go overseas to entertain the troops. WE reported to the Covent Garden theatre to get our various vaccinations and were issued with ENSA uniforms.

We were given a warm send off with bombs dropping - but the train moved off and up to Scotland where we boarded a troop ship and went in convoy to Italy.

DANGEROUS VOYAGE and CUPID STRIKES
One morning during the voyage, we were enjoying the sunshine and watching the flying fish, when we saw a mine floating very, very close. Fortunately our prayers were answered and the bow waves just kept it away. It was on this ship I met my husband to be Tom - we were seated next to each other at meal times.

During our trip we saw may famous artists perform and one I particularly enjoyed was Tommy Trinder.

We were the first ballet company to be sent out to entertain the troops, but our while ballet did not get a very good welcome, or at least the male dancers didn't/ When they came on in Swan Lake in their tights - there were whistles and other noises which were not complimentary.

So we eliminated Swan Lake from the programme and stuck to national dances which they enjoyed.

FATE LENDS A HAND
Tom was posted to an infantry division in Italy, and all through our tour he kept catching up with the ballet company. Neither of us was in control of our movements as these were dictated by the operations of our respective companies.

One morning we had to make a journey through the mountains and I did not feel happy about it. We were traveling in two buses and at one time did not have the other bus in sight as it had been overtaken by an army truck on the narrow road.

Many of us were asleep but I woke up and called to my friend in front "Duck Diana". She did not understand why, but turned round and that saves her from being cut by glass as an American truck struck the side of our bus and the following army truck just plunged over the mountain.

Fortunately the bus behind was not damaged, but two of our lead dancers were injured and had to be taken out from the side of the bus.

DOODLE BUG ALERT
After Italy we returned to the UK and began touring England again and Doodle Bugs were being used. We were playing open air Finsbury Park Theatre. One day when a friend and I were traveling to the theatre by bus a bomb came over and its engine stopped. The corner we had just be round was not there any more. Another close one!

The same day whilst on stage another one came overhead and I said to my partner "I hope its engine keeps going" fortunately it did otherwise you would not be reading this.

OVERSEAS AGAIN
The company was then told we were going overseas again 0- somewhere in the East. Strangely Tom was told the same thing and went off ahead of us.

WE had become engaged whilst in England and both landed up in India. Tom in Sialkot and I was in Bombay.

During a trip from Bombay to Calcutta, when we were nearing the station the Ballet-master told all the girls to lie down on the floor as there was a lot of rioting ahead.

Our ENSA residential trucks were burned out and so the company was stranded, but not for long. The Army made room for us overnight and then escorted us to our hotel the following day - we were so grateful to them.

We decided to get married in Calcutta. Tom arrived at the hotel on leave and we went to the church to arrange a time for the service that afternoon. We were asked if we could attend in three hours time. The ring was a problem as all the jewellery shops in Calcutta were closed because of the rioting.

BORROWED A RING
The lead dancer offered her own ring but we eventually found a hotel that sold jewellery. The Best Man shaved himself in toothpaste - I remember - and had the nerve to complain!

The company organised everything from a bouquet to a double room and the Ballet Master acted as Father to the bride. ALL THIS IN THREE HOURS.

I became Mrs Barbara Craig the very happy and honored wife of Lt Tom Craig of the Royal Engineers. I had always tried to help others in the company and now this was returned without measure.

ON TO ASIA
The company left in two weeks to be performing in Hong Kong and after that in Singapore. Tom rejoined his battalion in Sialkot, and it was ten months later that they were together again I left active participation in ballet behind after this, but never the love of animals.

AFTER THE WAR
During the period 1950 to 1996 we resided in England, Southern United States, South Africa and Brasil while Tom was in engineering employment until he retired in 1987. We returned to England in 1996 and have now joined a company called Forever Living Products, and are helping people and animals to better, healthier lives. We have been married for 59 years and hope to continue helping others for many more years - it is what keeps us happy!

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