Presenting 164 performances of 16 ballets across six programmes, the year features a mix of milestone works that honour The Australian Ballet’s rich history with productions that explore the endless possibilities of the art form.

McAllister said the looming landmark anniversary lead him to reflect on the origins of company. “The vision of treasuring the classics while at the same time pushing ballet’s artistic boundaries goes right back to our founding artistic director Dame Peggy van Praagh,” McAllister said. “In the centenary of her birth we pay tribute to the vision and dedication of our founder as we journey towards our 50th anniversary in 2012.”

What’s in store for The Australian Ballet in 2010:

• Six programmes, 16 ballets, 164 performances. From full-length ballet classics to new contemporary works and a spectacular gala in Melbourne:

1. The Silver Rose

2. Coppélia

3. Bodytorque.à la mode

4. Peggy!

5. Edge of night

6. Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker encore season

• The Australian premiere of choreographic legend Graeme Murphy’s full-length production The Silver Rose and the world premiere of Halcyon from Tim Harbour.

• Peggy! a gala tribute in Melbourne to Dame Peggy van Praagh. 2010 marks the centenary of Dame Peggy’s birth and the 20th anniversary of her death.

• Music: an extraordinary range of diverse scores encompassing music from Handel’s 18th century England to contemporary compositions by Carl Vine and Gerard Brophy – by way of Delibes, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Prokofiev.

• On the road: the company is reaching far and wide in 2010 with 164 main stage performances in Brisbane, Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne. In addition, we travel to 13 regional towns across the country and two major international cities.

• International touring: following a year at home in 2009, The Australian Ballet embarks on a major tour to Japan in 2010. The company’s 32nd international tour will see two unique Australian productions - Graeme Murphy’s smash-hit Swan Lake and critically acclaimed Nutcracker - The Story of Clara - bound for Tokyo and Nagoya.

• Regional touring: The Dancers Company will tour Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia in 2010 with the lively ballet classic Don Quixote. It will be The Dancers Company’s first visit to WA since 1983.

• Six new nominees for the 2010 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award will vie for ballet’s most prestigious title.

Said David McAllister on what he looks forward to most next year: “I’m looking forward to watching our awesome dancers as they take on this diverse programme with their incredible style, strength and passion.”