The Listeners costume designed by Kenneth Rowell, South Australian Ballet Club, 1948

Choreographed and staged by Johanna Priest, The Listeners was based on the poem by Walter de la Mare. It was performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre in 1948 by the South Australian Ballet Club.

The Listeners was Kenneth Rowell’s second professional commission from Priest. He created the beautiful costumes and fairytale set for the ballet. To achieve the perfect effect, Rowell hand painted the floral motifs and colourful trims directly onto the costumes while the dancers wore them.