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Royal New Zealand Ballet announces 2008 Season

Monday 15 October 2007, 11:31AM

By Royal NZ Ballet

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Sir Jon
Sir Jon Credit: Joris-Jan Bos

To celebrate his 50th year of dancing with the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Sir Jon Trimmer will take to the stage in the title role of the RNZB’s new production, the Meridian Energy Season of Don Quixote next year – just one highlight in an action-packed year.

Before Sir Jon saddles up, audiences will be treated to two sensational seasons of dance by the RNZB in 2008.

Kicking the year off is the TOWER Season of RED, a triple bill of works featuring Plan to A by ‘IT’ Finnish choreographer Jorma Elo, the acclaimed Abhisheka by New Zealand born choreographer Adrian Burnett and Paquita by legendary Russian choreographer Marius Petipa and featuring startling red tutus inspired by Italian fashion designer Valentino.

Sticking to the colour theme, the Company brings back its smash-hit Romeo and Juliet. When choreographer Christopher Hampson (Cinderella) and designer Tracy Grant Lord teamed up for this production in 2003, audiences couldn’t get enough of the lavish take on the world’s most famous love story. Following a hugely successful UK tour, the production was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best production in 2005.

To mark the extraordinary career of Sir Jon Trimmer, we end the year with the world premiere of The Meridian Energy Season of Don Quixote. Audiences are invited to join in the celebrations as Sir Jon (affectionately known as Jonty) takes to the stage as the raddled old Don on his journey of dreams, loves and conquests and accompanied by his trusty sidekick Sancho Panza, the irrepressible Kitri and the rest of the Royal New Zealand Ballet company. Set in Barcelona, this exciting new production is staged and choreographed by Gary Harris and Adrian Burnett to music by Ludwig Minkus.


Royal New Zealand Ballet Performance Dates and Venues 2008


The TOWER Season of RED

Auckland 14 – 17 February Aotea Centre at THE EDGE®
Hastings 20 – 21 February Hawke’s Bay Opera House
New Plymouth 24 February TSB Theatre
Palmerston North 28 – 29 February Regent Theatre on Broadway
Invercargill 4 March Civic Theatre
Dunedin 7 – 8 March Regent Theatre
Christchurch 12 –15 March Isaac Theatre Royal
Wellington 19 –20 March St James Theatre

Romeo & Juliet

Palmerston North 18 – 19 July Regent Theatre on Broadway
Auckland 23 – 27 July Aotea Centre at THE EDGE®
Napier 1 – 3 August Napier Municipal Theatre
Invercargill 7 – 9 August Civic Theatre
Christchurch 13 –16 August Isaac Theatre Royal
Wellington 20 – 24 August St James Theatre


Meridian Energy Season of Don Quixote

Wellington 31 October – 8 November St James Theatre
Invercargill 11 – 12 November Civic Theatre
Dunedin 15 – 16 November Regent Theatre
Christchurch 19 – 22 November Isaac Theatre Royal
Palmerston North 25 – 26 November Regent Theatre on Broadway
Napier 29 – 30 November Municipal Theatre
Auckland 3 – 7 December Aotea Centre at THE EDGE®
Hamilton 10 –11 December Founders Theatre