Haere ra, Jonty

Acclaimed dancer Sir Jon Trimmer left a magical legacy as he brought ballet to the people. 

- FRANCESCA HORSLEY

In December 2018, when news came that Sir Jon Trimmer had retired after six decades with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, it felt like a body blow. Trimmer's dance magic was so embedded into the RNZB's DNA that the thought of not seeing him, even in small cameo roles, hurt.

His ballet history is our ballet history. Jonty, as he was known, and his wife, Lady Jacqui Trimmer, were there when the national company first made a commitment to take ballet to the people.

He was also a brilliant dancer and actor, a generous mentor who always had time for younger dancers and brought joy to countless thousands. He could lift his leg above his head well into his 70s and had a wicked sense of humour that would have the company rolling with laughter.

Trimmer's history with the company began when he took summer school classes in Wellington, aged 14, with Danish dancer and teacher Poul Gnatt.

Born in 1939, Trimmer grew up in Petone in an artistic family. His father was a wool classer by day and played the violin in orchestras by night. His mother was a dancer who as a child watched musicals from the wings of Wellington's St James Theatre. Trimmer started dance classes when he was 12 in his sister Pamela's dance school. By age 13, he was performing in dance concerts around the Wellington region with his younger sister, moving on to cabarets in clubs such as the Majestic, where he danced flamenco.

Gnatt recognised his talent and began nurturing the young dancer, partnering him with older girls so he could develop his strength and physical confidence.