I don't despair about the cultural scene in Australia because there isn't one to despair about.

- Robert Helpmann

People often say to me - how clever you are! How brilliant to be able to go from ballet to theatre as you do. I answer that it is not clever at all. …

- Robert Helpmann

Ballet is like football. I don't understand a footballer's technique but I can see when he's playing brilliantly. People don't like ballet because th…

- Robert Helpmann

The trouble with nude dancing is that not everything stops when the music stops.

- Robert Helpmann

I was always nervous about coming back to Australia which was a complete hangover of the days when I left when ballet was not accepted, when I was no…

- Robert Helpmann

Theatre remains the only thing I understand. It is in the community of theatre that I have my being. In spite of jealousies and fears, emotional conf…

- Robert Helpmann

I think you can be contemporary without taking your clothes off.

- Robert Helpmann

And I saw Australia anew through her eyes. And I realised what a tremendously thrilling country it was. And ever since then I have been coming back r…

- Robert Helpmann

Aren't all ballets sexy? I think they should be. I can think of nothing more kinky than a prince chasing a swan around all night.

- Robert Helpmann