We have Opera Australia’s 2025 program in front of us now, launched this week without the presence of its key architect, former artistic director Jo Davies. As all opera-lovers know, Davies and OA parted company by mutual agreement at the end of August, just nine months after she put her feet under the desk. You…
Romeo & Juliet. West Australian Ballet, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth, August 30 and 31, 2024
When announcing her 2023 season for Royal New Zealand Ballet, then-artistic director Patricia Barker described the returning Romeo & Juliet as “a glorious production made for the St James [Theatre] in 2017”. She was referring only to the sets and costumes designed by James Acheson. Barker added: “Andrea Schermoly is creating new choreography that will revive the classic…
Opera Australia and AD Jo Davies part company
Opera Australia chose an unusual day on which to announce it had parted ways with its artistic director, Jo Davies. Tomorrow – Saturday, August 31 – is the Sydney opening night for Sunset Boulevard. So you have a vitally important production for OA’s coffers and you decide that yes, today would be just the day for…
The Australian Ballet announces its 2025 season
In what will be David Hallberg’s fifth year as artistic director of The Australian Ballet, the company’s 2025 program offers new works by William Forsythe and Stephanie Lake, the return of John Neumeier’s Nijinsky, the company premiere of Jerome Robbins’s Glass Pieces and, for Melbourne and Canberra, Johan Inger’s powerful Carmen following its Australian premiere in Sydney this year. Revivals of…
Solace, Royal New Zealand Ballet. Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch, August 16, 2024
Solace is a beautiful, onomatopoeic word. It sits softly in the mouth and the taste of its meaning lingers. It promises comfort, although has little to do with being comfortable. This is comfort that exists to alleviate sadness or distress. It is light in the darkness. The three works in Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2024…
Leanne Benjamin resigns from Queensland Ballet
Former Royal Ballet superstar Leanne Benjamin arrived at Queensland Ballet in mid-January as the company’s sixth artistic director. On August 2 she leaves the building. In a statement released by QB on July 31 Benjamin said: “Ultimately, as we have worked together to design a vibrant season for 2025, it has become very clear that…
Bespoke. Queensland Ballet, Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, Brisbane, July 25
Queensland Ballet’s commitment to its Bespoke program is important and necessary for the company, for choreographers and for the QB dancers. Bespoke isn’t the only place where new work happens but it is specifically and only for the new, and a place where boundaries can be stretched a bit. This year’s Bespoke opened with the…
Club Origami. Sydney Dance Company, Neilson Studio, July 19, 2024
How on earth do you keep a bunch of toddlers and babies quiet for more than half an hour? (Well, as quiet as toddlers and babies can be.) Club Origami seems to have the answer. This origami-based children’s show – yes, there is such a thing – was Sydney Dance Company’s school holiday outreach to the five-and-under…
Jewels, The Australian Ballet, Adelaide Festival Centre, July 11. The Australian Ballet on Tour, Civic Theatre Newcastle, July 12
George Balanchine’s Jewels was premiered by the Australian Ballet as part of the company’s 60th anniversary celebrations last year and very welcome it was too. It’s unlike anything else in the repertoire and it’s hard to think of a work that, moment for moment, is more glamorous. Sydney, Melbourne and London saw it last year; now it’s Adelaide’s turn. …
Horizon. Bangarra Dance Theatre, Sydney Opera House, June 13, 2024
When Bangarra Dance Theatre takes to the stage it is, without fail, in a spirit of generosity. That was true under the long-standing leadership of Stephen Page and feels true with Frances Rings, who took over the artistic directorship last year. The company’s work enlarges and enriches our understanding of First Nations history, culture and…
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