RNZB ANNOUNCES 2011 Seasons
Thursday 9 September 2010, 3:28PM
By Royal New Zealand Ballet
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2011 sees the Royal New Zealand Ballet presenting four new ballets, working with one of the biggest names in New Zealand fashion and taking on the world with an exciting international tour to Europe.
The RNZB will premiere its biggest, most lavish production to date next year. The Meridian Season of The Sleeping Beauty has been more than three years in the planning and this grand-scale, traditional ballet will be a must-see.
In an exciting first, legendary New Zealand designer Karen Walker will create the costumes for a new work by Kiwi choreographer Cameron McMillan. The work, which has the working title Scenes de Ballet, will be part of our Stravinsky Triple Bill season. The other two works are the Russian classic Petrouchka and an encore performance of Javier de Frutos’ powerful and evocative work, Milagros.
Our famous biennial TOWER Tutus on Tour is all about families in 2011. Featuring two new works, the whimsical Pinocchio and a sparkling classical showpiece, Verdi Variations is the perfect occasion for young and old to enjoy together.
Another highlight of 2011 will be a tour to London, Cardiff and France where the RNZB will present the Triple Bill From Here to There featuring three short ballets, including A Song in the Dark by young Kiwi choreographer Andrew Simmons, Jorma Elo’s Plan to A and Javier de Frutos’ Banderillero.
“There’s no doubt 2011 will be a huge year for the company,” says General Manager Amanda Skoog. “We’re honoured and thrilled to be invited to perform in the City of London Festival in July, as well as in Cardiff and France.”
2011 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years ever for the RNZB, she says. “We’ve are not only premiering four new works, we’ll also be under the wing of a new Artistic Director. While we are still in the final stages of making a selection, the candidates have been outstanding and I know we have some very exciting times ahead.”
TOWER Tutus on Tour
TOWER Tutus on Tour is our opportunity to share what we do with as many New Zealanders as possible. Every two years our company divides in half and one group heads south and the other north. Over the following six weeks, they’re on the road performing in more than 40 towns and cities. The ultimate ‘tiki tour’, Tutus sees the dancers performing in community theatres, town halls and school gymnasiums.
Logistically it’s a huge challenge, we take everything with us from washing machines to kettles – but we love it.
Verdi Variations
choreography Greg Horsman
music Giuseppe Verdi, I Vespri siciliani (Le Quattro stagioni)
design Gary Harris
lighting Nigel Percy
A classical ballet lover’s dream come true, Verdi Variations promises to be a stunningly grand showpiece peppered with dramatic solos and dazzling duets, complete with exquisitely made tutus and tiaras.
With choreography and design by in-house dream team Greg Horsman and Gary Harris, the piece pays homage to classical Russian ballet and its poise and grace. Verdi Variations will be breathtakingly beautiful.
Pinocchio
choreography Toby Behan
music Andre Messager, Les Deux Pigeons
design Julian Southgate
lighting Nigel Percy
The antics of Pinocchio, Geppetto and friends come to life as the Royal New Zealand Ballet presents a fun, traditional story-ballet for the whole family. Written in 1883, the tale of Pinocchio, a wooden puppet who yearns to be a real boy, continues to be adored by children around the world. As he stumbles his way through life, will he ever be able to realise his dream? Follow Pinocchio on his exciting adventures as he encounters the evil Fox and Cat, Strombolli’s travelling puppet show, the Blue Fairy and a giant whale. It’s a rollicking ride – one that you’ll never forget.
STRAVINSKY TRIPLE BILL
Triple bills are tense affairs. Dancers are pushed to their physical limits by performing three often dramatically contrasting ballets. The creators of the works are exposed. Thirty minutes of pure dance and minimal stage design means there is nowhere to hide. Triple bill audiences are a discerning bunch. The usually mild-mannered become ruthless critics as they argue the merits of one work over another.
Our 2011 triple bill features one of the world’s hallmark ballets, the return of an acclaimed work by Javier de Frutos and a new creation by former RNZB dancer Cameron McMillan.
The three ballets are performed to the music of Stravinsky.
Scènes de Ballet (working title)
choreography Cameron McMillan
music Igor Stravinsky, Scènes de Ballet
design Karen Walker
lighting Nigel Percy
Ex-pat dancer and choreographer Cameron McMillan returns to New Zealand from London to create a new work, set to Stravinsky’s highly melodic and stunning Scènes de Ballet. Featuring discordant lines that seamlessly melt from one theme to the next, McMillan emphasises the dynamics of Stravinsky’s ravishing score with this thought-provoking new work.
Milagros
choreography Javier de Frutos
music Igor Stravinsky, The Rite of Spring
design Javier de Frutos
lighting Nigel Percy
A rare piano recording of The Rite of Spring inspired UK-based choreographer Javier de Frutos to create Milagros on the RNZB in 2003. Exploring Stravinsky’s darkly evocative music about the Chosen One and the ultimate sacrifice, Milagros - meaning miracle – is a fusion of influences, from Latin American church traditions to Southern Gothic traditions and medieval religious rituals. Nominated for best new dance production in the 2005 UK Laurence Olivier Awards and Best Choreography (Modern) at Britain’s Critic’s Circle Dance Awards, Milagros is a powerful and evocative theatrical experience.
Petrouchka
choreography Michael Fokine
music Igor Stravinsky, Petrouchka
design Raymond Boyce after Alexandre Benois
lighting Nigel Percy
Petrouchka is one of the most enduring works from the Russian choreographer, Michael Fokine. Set in a bustling Russian fairground, it tells the story of three puppets - Petrouchka, a sad little clown doll; the ballerina doll he so desperately loves; and the handsome Moor, whom the ballerina cannot resist. Petrouchka’s futile attempts to be with the love of his life can only end in heartbreak. Stravinsky’s engaging composition for Petrouchka helped cement his place as one of the world’s greatest musical innovators.
One of the great ballets from Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, Petrouchka was originally performed by the legendary Vaslav Nijinsky, and remains one of the most coveted roles for a male dancer.
The Meridian Season of The Sleeping Beauty
Spectacular sets, sumptuous costume design and breathtaking classical choreography bring one of the most traditional ballets to life. Three years in the making, The Meridian Season of The Sleeping Beauty will be the highlight of 2011.
The Sleeping Beauty is the pinnacle of the classical ballet repertoire. The Royal New Zealand Ballet has spent the last three years creating this magical version of a fairytale favourite in order to bring you our biggest production to date.
Set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring score, The Sleeping Beauty tells the timeless story of young Princess Aurora who falls prey to the evil fairy Carabosse – only a kiss from a handsome prince will break the spell and ensure her future happiness.
The Sleeping Beauty features some of the most famous and demanding choreography and, to this day, remains one of the must-see ballets of all time.
choreography Greg Horsman (after Marius Petipa)
music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
design Gary Harris
lighting Jon Buswell
This spellbinding traditional masterpiece will take your breath away.
SUPPORTED BY NATIONAL SPONSOR
SEASON DATES 2011
TOWER Tutus on Tour
SOUTH
Blenheim / 5 & 6 March
Nelson / 8 & 9 March
Westport / 11 March
Greymouth / 12 March
Christchurch / 15 March #
Oamaru / 17 March
Dunedin / 19 & 20 March #
Invercargill / 23 March #
Gore / 24 March
Te Anau / 25 March
Queenstown / 26 March
Wanaka / 27 March
Alexandra / 29 March
Twizel / 30 March
Timaru / 31 March
Ashburton / 1 April
Kaikoura / 3 April
NORTH
Wellington / 24, 26 & 27 Feb #
Rotorua / 26 February
Taupo / 27 February
Hastings / 1 March #
Greytown / 1 March
Palmerston North / 2 March #
Gisborne / 3 March
Paraparaumu / 3 March
Tauranga / 5 March
Putararu / 6 March
Hamilton / 8 March
Takapuna / 10-12 March #
Epsom / 15 March
Kerikeri / 17 March
Whangarei / 18 & 19 March
Warkworth / 20 March
Manukau / 22 March
Papakura / 24 March
Te Kuiti / 25 March
New Plymouth / 26 & 27 March
Hawera / 29 March
Wanganui / 30 March
Taihape / 31 March
# Available on subscriptions
TRIPLE BILL
Wellington
20 – 22 May
St James Theatre
Featuring the Vector Wellington Orchestra
Auckland
25 – 28 May
ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE
Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Hawke’s Bay
31 May & 1 June
Municipal Theatre, Napier
Christchurch
4 & 5 June
Isaac Theatre Royal
Featuring the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Invercargill
8 & 9 June
Civic Theatre
The Meridian Season of THE SLEEPING BEAUTY
Wellington
28 – 30 October & 2 – 5 November
St James Theatre
Featuring the Vector Wellington Orchestra
Invercargill
8 & 9 November
Civic Theatre
Dunedin
12 & 13 November
Regent Theatre
Christchurch
16 –19 November
Isaac Theatre Royal
Featuring the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
Palmerston North
22 & 23 November
Regent on Broadway
Napier
26 & 27 November
Municipal Theatre
Auckland
30 November – 4 December
Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
The Civic THE EDGE
Rotorua
7 & 8 December
Civic Theatre