Bebe (de Roland) Eversfield profile

BEBE EVERSFIELD OBITUARY published in the Times Colonist August 2022:

EVERSFIELD, Bebe Born Esme (Bebe) de Roland passed away surrounded by family February 8, 2022 at the age of 97, in Victoria, BC. Born in Wellington, New Zealand August 5, 1924, predeceased by husband, Norman, 1984, and beloved son Glen, 2011. She is survived by sons, Derek, Mark (Lydia and her children, Nick and Rachel), Craig, and grandsons, Sean and Kai. Bebe was a devoted mother, gourmet cook, an avid gardener with a unique sense of humour, innate sense of style and zest for life. In her community and the dance world, she was highly respected, admired and recognised as an extraordinary woman. Bebe started dancing as soon as she could walk, and as a toddler posed, imitating pictures of Pavlova in her home. So talented, that at age 8, she was no longer allowed to compete in dance festivals throughout New Zealand as she had already won all the competitions. At 8, Bebe danced professionally in movie theatres between main features and shorts, dancing in pointe shoes before age 10. When the Royal Academy of Dance examiner came to New Zealand, Bebe was 11, and she was the only dancer to win honours in all of Australasia. As a result, Bebe was invited to train in London, England with the Vic-Wells Ballet School, which later became The Royal Ballet. Funds were raised by the community and government in Wellington to send Bebe and her mother to London. At 12, she auditioned for Madame Lydia Kyasht’s Russian Ballet School, which was an excellent fit for Bebe’s talented style. Daily classes included ballet, tap, modern, acting, music, partnering and character. At only 14, Bebe replaced Dame Alicia Markova as the lead ’Marguerite’ in Faust at the Royal Albert Hall to an audience of thousands, receiving glowing reviews of her successful debut. Soon after, she was invited to audition for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo by Leonide Massine, renowned choreographer and dancer. She performed in front of Pavlova’s husband Victor Dandré, company manager Nicolai Sergueef and Massine. He was quoted saying, ”Her style and technique are perfect” and Sergueef concurred, ”no ballerina in England could surpass her classical style”. Bebe was invited to join the Ballet Russe at 14, but first had to complete her schooling. However, before she was done, World War II broke out and Ballet Russe left immediately for New York City, crushing her dream. At 17, during the war and bombing of London, Bebe danced as the Prima Ballerina throughout England with Lydia Kyasht’s Russian Ballet Company in ballets such as Ballerina, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Derby Day, Pharaoh’s Vigil, Sylvia and many others, also co-choreographing Picnic. At the time, she was reported to be the youngest Prima Ballerina in the world. After a serious foot injury, she had to leave ballet and began working in music theatre. During this time, Bebe met future husband Canadian Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot Norman Eversfield. Her music theatre career included, Lilac Domino (1944), Irene & Cinderella (1945), and the films Carnival and Gaiety George (1946). Bebe starred in Follow the Girls (1944) and at age 23, toured Australia and New Zealand for 18 months. She then refused an invitation to join the New York City Ballet, choosing instead to move to Canada and marry Norman. After finally settling down in Victoria she designed and had her unique house built in Esquimalt, and also designed and sewed beautiful clothing for debutantes & society women, created costume designs for theatrical productions, and was dedicated to raising her family. At the request of a student, Bebe began teaching and eventually took over Velda Willie’s studio around 1958. She renamed it The Victoria School of Theatrical Arts, which ran for 30 years offering ballet, tap, music theatre, modern and multicultural dance. While teaching, Bebe became producer of the Butchart Garden’s Sunset Shows, choreographed for UVic’s Phoenix Theatre, Victoria Operatic Society and Bastion Theatre. For 30+ years, Bebe was choreographer, director and script/lyric writer and costume designer for the legendary Jerry Gosley’s Famous Smile Show. She taught for more than 8 years at Stages School of Performing Arts and many venues throughout Victoria. During her lengthy teaching career, thousands of students were taught and inspired by Bebe de Roland Eversfield. Many of her students have gone on to professional careers in ballet, music theatre, film and TV, with several following in her footsteps as studio owners and teachers. As quoted in the 1974 Smile Show program, ”Bebe will have to live to 150 to accomplish all the things she has already done!” Bebe – Always dancing, Always loved. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Chief and Petty Officer’s Mess at 1575 Lyall St. Victoria B.C. on September 25, 2022 at 2pm. In lieu of flowers donations for The Bebe de Roland Eversfield Ballet Scholarship for a ballet dancer that shows true passion and exceptional talent has been set up and is to be distributed through The DanceWorks Scholarship Endowment Fund. Gifts can be made via the Victoria Foundation donation page at www.victoriafoundation.bc.ca. Search for the above DanceWorks fund on the dropdown menu or add the name of the fund in the comment box on the donation page or call the Victoria Foundation at 250-381-5532. Bebe’s wish was to give back to the dance community as she was given this incredible and generous opportunity by the people of New Zealand.

Bebe de Roland Eversfield in the musical Follow the Girls (Australia 1946). Photographer unknown.

Bebe Eversfield in Ballerina at Garrick Theatre, London 1943. Photographer unknown.

Bebe Eversfield in Follow the Girls at Theatre Royal, Sydney Australia 1946. Photo by Hal Williamson

Bebe Eversfield publicity photo. c1949. Photo from Bebe Eversfield personal collection.