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Touring Tutus for Papakura's Hawkins Theatre

Wednesday 17 December 2008, 5:11PM

By Papakura District Council

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Ballet gets Through to You with Koo koo ka choo
Ballet gets Through to You with Koo koo ka choo Credit: Royal New Zealand Ballet

PAPAKURA

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is bringing its Tutus on Tour to the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura in 2009, and tickets have gone on sale in time for Christmas.


Gary Harris, artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, says bringing dance to the people of New Zealand has always been important to the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and 2009 is no exception with the Tower-sponsored Tutus on Tour coming to the Hawkins Theatre in Papakura on Saturday March 15.


“Tower Tutus On Tour allows us a unique opportunity to bring home-grown dance to communities throughout New Zealand, while at the same time celebrating the beginnings of our ballet company,” he said.


The Royal New Zealand Ballet began in 1953 by touring small towns throughout the country, and in those early days the community billeted the dancers.


“We are looking forward, once again, to dancing on your doorstep!”


This year’s programme includes Christopher Hampson’s acclaimed work, Saltarello, named after a lively, merry dance from the 13th Century. The dance was named for its peculiar leaping step, after the Italian verb saltare ("to jump").


Gary Harris says the work that “puts the tutu in the tour” is the Holberg Suite.


The programme also features new pieces including a work referencing the musical genius of Paul McCartney and John Lennon.


Former RNZB dancer, Andrew Simmons, returns with a new work entitled Through to You, and top Australian choreographer, Garry Stewart, joins for the first time with his highly charged work Currently Under Investigation.


Inspired by the music of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, RNZB dancers Catherine Eddy and Brendan Bradshaw will also bring their work, Koo Koo Ka Choo, to the stage.


Tickets are available from iTicket and Papakura Paper Power. They cost $20 for children up to 13 years old; $32 for adults; with tickets for students with ID and senior citizens priced at $25. Members of the Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet can purchase tickets at $25, and groups of six or more adult tickets can also be block-purchased at $25 per ticket.