Queensland Ballet prepares to take a trip through time as it bring highlights of the past into a bright new future.
The classics in any art form are always classics for a reason, and Queensland Ballet's 2016 season reflects this, bringing some important stories and music from history to the stages of Queensland Performing Arts Centre. Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin describes the allure of the past: “there is something magical about ballet. It transforms a stage into a different world, a place where stories are told without words and people fly without wings. In 2016 we invite you to be swept back in time, to an era of elegance that will seduce and delight.”
A Midsummer Night's DreamThis upcoming season will see productions including: Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'; 'Strictly Gershwin', a tribute to the glitz and glamour of the big band era; 'Lest We Forget', a trio of poignant reflections on war; as well as the return of Christmas classic 'The Nutcracker.' “2016 shimmers with stardust, as we share ballets that enchant with the glamour of a golden age,” says Li.
Yanela PineraThe first of these productions, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', sees Shakespeare's whimsical world brought to life at the beginning of April. This re-imagining will be helmed by Choreographer Liam Scarlett, Queensland Ballet's first artist-in-residence who went on to create commissions for New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and English National Ballet. His witty choreography, in conjunction with Felix Mendelssohn's incidental music, recreate the enchanted world and memorable characters of Shakespeare in all their glory.
Strictly GershwinStarting in May, 'Strictly Gershwin' brings to the stage the silver screen magic of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers, set to a soundtrack of all of George Gershwin's greatest hits: 'An American In Paris', 'Rhapsody In Blue', 'Summertime', 'I Got Rhythm' and many more. 'Strictly Gershwin' is a tribute to a unique and unforgettable time in American history, and Derek Deane's choreography brings it all together.
Lest We Forget 'Lest We Forget' brings together three different choreographers to tell a triumvirate of stories about war, commencing at the end of July. Company B reflects of the contradictions between nationalistic pride in music and the suffering and death that is really occurring. 'In The Best Moments' is a meditation on human relationships, an homage to Phillip Glass's 'The Hours Suite'. 'We Who Are Left' tells personal stories inspired by WWI poetry.
The Nutcracker A seasonal tradition in Brisbane, 'The Nutcracker' will continue in December 2016, bringing back the story of Clara, King Rat, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the romp through the wondrous Kingdom Of Sweets, all set to Tchaikovsky's famous soundtrack.
The 2016 Season will also see the launch of Queensland Ballet's 'My First Ballet' series; a production of 'Little Red Riding Hood' for a young audience. It will play in June as part of QPAC's 'Out Of The Box', a festival aimed at children eight and younger.
Dance Dialogues Returning throughout 2016 is also the popular 'Dance Dialogues' series, an opportunity to see works created by new and emerging choreographers in a studio setting. Audiences are offered the opportunity to watch rehearsals of upcoming Queensland Ballet productions. Similarly, Queensland Ballet is presenting 'Tutus On Tour,' which brings the same opportunity to small towns around regional Queensland in September and October.
Tutus On Tour Queensland Ballet's 2016 season will also offer more than just performances; immersive on-stage and backstage experiences, ballet education and training programmes will all be available throughout 2016 to help foster an engagement and passion for the art of ballet.
Queensland Ballet's 2016 season will begin on 1 April with 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
