Arthur Merric Bloomfield Boyd (1920-1999)

In 1959, Boyd departed Australia for what was initially to be a few months in Europe. He was to remain in Europe for twelve years. During his time in England, in addition to his large output of works, Boyd contributed designs to a number of plays, ballets and operas. In 1963 the Australian producer and choreographer Sir Robert Helpmann asked Boyd to design the sets and costumes for his ballet Elektra, the Greek tragedy which tells the story of Elektra and her brother Orestes seeking revenge for the murder of their father by their mother and mother's lover. Boyd produced a series of etchings for the ballet which became the backdrop of the set at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The final costumes were altered from Boyd's original drawings (‘Unfortunately they would not accept my costumes … They were terrific, a bit erotic …’ (Arthur Boyd quoted in D. Bungey, Arthur Boyd, A Life, Sydney 2008, p.346). The production received mixed reviews but was a sell out. None of the sets or costumes have survived.