Australian Ballet on the road to Geraldton
/The Australian Ballet hits the road with The Dancers Company, bringing the best of ballet to regional areas
The Australian Ballet’s regional touring program, The Dancers Company, is on the road again in 2014, proudly supported by Principal Partner Telstra.
Travelling far and wide to perform a dazzling triple bill of classical ballet in regional Australia, the tour stars guest artists of The Australian Ballet and graduating students from The Australian Ballet School.
Since its debut in 1980, The Dancers Company has given 714 performances in 65 locations across the nation, entertaining more than 390,000 regional ballet fans.
Local dance students who’ve dreamt of taking a class with an artist of The Australian Ballet will get their chance – a series of open classes will be held in selected venues throughout The Dancers Company 2014 tour.
During July and August the company will present 16 performances and travel over 10,000 kilometres by bus, car, plane and truck to bring a program of spectacular ballet to regional areas in Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
This year marks a 30-year partnership between Telstra and The Australian Ballet with Telstra proud to be bringing world-class ballet to Australians in regional areas.
Telstra’s Group Managing Director, Products, Warwick Bray commended The Australian Ballet’s regional touring arm for their long-term commitment to sharing ballet with Australians across the country.
“Telstra is proud to be supporting The Dancers Company tour which provides Australians in regional centres with the opportunity to see live, world-class ballet right on their doorstep.”
The tour will head to Launceston, Hobart, Ballarat, Frankston, Warragul, South Morang, Warrnambool, Geraldton, Mandurah, Albany and Bunbury.
This year The Dancers Company will perform two much-loved favourites, Act III from Swan Lake and Paquita as well as a newly created work, Rimbombo – demonstrating the breadth and beauty of classical ballet.
Australian Ballet perform La Bayadère at Arts Centre Melbourne in September 2014. Competition opens 16 July.
About the program -
Paquita, the popular tutu spectacular, packs a punch with jaw-droppingly impressive footwork, demanding the utmost technical precision from its dancers.
Simon Dow, ex-principal artist of The Australian Ballet and former Artistic Director of West Australian Ballet, presents an exciting new classical work, Rimbombo. This ballet showcases the athleticism and emerging artistry of The Dancers Company’s young male dancers.
Rounding out the program is Act III from the most beloved ballet of all, Swan Lake. The traditional version of the dramatic court scene matches Marius Petipa’s choreography with Tchaikovsky’s iconic score and includes the famous Black Swan pas de deux.
Senior Artist Miwako Kubota, partnered by the 2013 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award winner Christopher Rodgers-Wilson, will tour to Warragul, South Morang, Warrnambool, Geraldton, Mandurah, Albany and Bunbury.
Soloist Robyn Hendricks, partnered by Coryphée Jared Wright, will perform in Launceston, Hobart, Ballarat and Frankston.
This year is a particularly important one for The Dancers Company, marking The Australian
Ballet School’s 50th anniversary. It’s also the final tour of the company’s Artistic Director Danilo Radojevic. He will retire in September after leading The Australian Ballet’s regional tour for 13 years.
“We’ve assembled a stellar line-up of guest artists to lead the stars of tomorrow from The Australian Ballet School. It’s a diverse program of classical and contemporary treats. I can’t think of a more fitting tour to end my time as Artistic Director of The Dancers Company and celebrate The Australian Ballet School’s exciting milestone of a half century,” said Radojevic.
Dates -
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Geraldton - Saturday 9 August
Mandurah - Tuesday 12 August
Albany - Thursday 14 August
Bunbury - Saturday 16 August
For bookings contact - australianballet.com.au or 1300 369 741
For further information on The Dancers Company, performances and public programs, visit:The Dancers Compnay Media Release
