| The Australian Ballet 2012 Launch |
| Written by Heather Bloom |
| Thursday, 01 September 2011 15:07 |
 Kevin Jackson, Madeleine Eastoe, Robyn Hendricks and Andrew Killian. Photo by Georges Antoni It has been 50 years since the sparkling gem of grace and culture began entertaining Australian audiences with plies and pointe shoes, and if the 2012 season launch is anything to go by, The Australian Ballet has no plans of slowing down. In celebrating their golden anniversary, The Australian Ballet is poised to present an exciting new season of contemporary pieces while honoring the company’s rich history through the worlds’ most loved traditional ballets. Opening the season will be the triple threat of Australia’s most renowned choreographers Graeme Murphy, Gideon Obarzanek and Stephen Page. The three Aussie revolutionaries will present Infinity; an exciting new work sure to set the senses alight. As well as audience favorite Onegin, Melbourne will receive the only performance of Let’s Dance, a celebration showcasing the extraordinary breadth of talent Australian dancers have to offer. The season will climax with 50th birthday performance of the worlds’ most famous ballet Swan Lake. As the first production performed by The Australian Ballet in 1962, the company will be playing homage to the traditional ballet that was last interpreted in 2002 by national treasure Graeme Murphy as a 40th anniversary gift. By returning to the ballets classic roots, The Australian Ballet will mark its birthday in spectacular style. Also on the bill this year, the company will present an International Gala on the 2nd of November 2012, exactly 50 years after their initial inauguration. Bringing guests from around the globe, both local and international dancers will unite in a full length feature performance for Melbournites only. Culminating in the edgy new production of Romeo & Juliet, laced with Murphy’s signature flair, the ballet will cross the country (and many more boundaries) in the ground breaking new interpretation of the Shakespeare’s doomed lovers. The Australian Ballet clearly wants the country to join in the celebrations as they turn 50, and plans to give audiences the gift of gorgeous costumes, original works and well loved pieces. Ballet and dance has long been a part of Australian culture, and through their 50th anniversary The Australian Ballet firmly stakes their claim as the country’s premiere ballet company. I look forward to many more years, and many more performances from The Australian Ballet. Here’s to another 50! Visit: www.australianballet.com.au |
