Royal NZ Ballet Thrilled To Be touring china

14 March 2007

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is thrilled to announce it will tour to China in November.

Invited to perform as part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival, the company will also perform in Beijing and Hangzhou.

“It’s hugely exciting for the company,” says Artistic Director Gary Harris. “Putting our dancers on such a prestigious international stage is an fantastic opportunity. It puts us in the same league as some of the world’s best dance companies who have also toured to China in recent times.”

The three week tour will begin in Shanghai on 10 November. The programme will include a new, lavish production of Cinderella (which will premiere in New Zealand in August) as well as a triple bill programme that will include a New Zealand work and Javier De Frutos’ Banderillero.

Prime Minister Helen Clark welcomed the Royal New Zealand Ballet's tour of China.

“New Zealand and China enjoy a strong relationship which spans diplomatic, economic, cultural, and people-to-people links. I am delighted that the Royal New Zealand Ballet will be representing New Zealand in November. As a premiere New Zealand cultural organisation, I know the Ballet's tour will bring great credit to New Zealand,” Helen Clark said.

General Manager Amanda Skoog says the Royal New Zealand Ballet has an excellent reputation internationally and touring to China will further cement that.

“Touring overseas is essential to enhance our artistic development and we are honoured to be invited. It is wonderful to be taking New Zealand arts offshore.”

The company last toured to China in 1985.

The company is currently touring its Tutus On Tour programme to 48 centres around New Zealand.

ENDS

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