Escape with the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Escape with the Royal New Zealand Ballet

Media Release
February 2010

THE Royal New Zealand Ballet launches into 2010 with the world premiere of two new commissions.

The TOWER Season of From Here to There, which opens in Dunedin on 25 February, will delight audiences with three different works of dance.

Choreographer Christopher Hampson returns down-under to realise a long-held dream to create a ballet to Francis Poulenc’s Concert Champêtre. Hampson, who created Romeo & Juliet and Cinderella for the RNZB, describes the harpsichord soundtrack as “full of rhythm and fun” and says watching the dancers bring his vision to life has been an exciting process.

After originally calling the work Poulenc Variations, Hampson says when he got into the studio to actually start creating the ballet, he decided the name should be changed to Silhouette. “I changed the name for two reasons. Firstly because Silhouette was a more apt reflection of the startling black tutus featured in the work and secondly because a few people had asked if the work had something to do with chickens – a misunderstanding that came after them confusing the composer’s name with ‘poulet’, the French word for chicken!”

Kiwi ballet fans might recognise Andrew Simmons’ name. The former RNZB dancer is used to being on stage but these days he’s trying out a more behind-the-scenes role as he builds on his choreographic career. Recognising his talent, RNZB artistic director Gary Harris invited Simmons to return to New Zealand from his base in Germany to create his third work for the company – something Simmons describes as an “honour”.

The work, A Song in the Dark, will feature eight male and eight female dancers in green and black costumes designed by another former RNZB dancer, Kate Venables. It is set to music by legendary American composer Philip Glass.

The third work in From Here to There is an encore performance of David Dawson’s breathtaking A Million Kisses to my Skin – a work which attracted critical acclaim when the RNZB first performed it in 2005. Featuring flowing costumes designed by Yumiko Takeshima, it is an elegant and evocative work.

From Here to There offers something for everyone, says RNZB artistic director Gary Harris. “It’s a unique opportunity to see a selection of work from choreographers who each have a different vision. This is an exciting programme and provides a platform for our dancers to really extend themselves.”

The TOWER Season of From Here to There opens on 25 February in Dunedin and tours to Invercargill, Christchurch, Hastings, Hamilton, Auckland and Wellington.

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