Royal New Zealand Ballet is Made to Move

Media Release
Royal New Zealand Ballet is Made to Move

The Royal New Zealand Ballet begins 2013 with Made to Move - Three world premieres in one night. Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel debuts his first original work for the RNZB and is joined by two internationally acclaimed choreographers: Venezuelan Javier De Frutos and Christchurch-born Andrew Simmons.

Each newly commissioned work celebrates the joy of dance and by extension, the RNZB’s own 60th birthday, marked throughout 2013. Made to Move promises to excite and intrigue audiences with a mix of styles and technique from classical choreography to contemporary.

“Beginning an Anniversary year with three brand new works felt like the right sense of occasion. History shows us that the RNZB is a bold company continually keeping an eye towards innovation. This is one of the reasons we are consistently able to attract choreographers and dancers of such a high international standard to work with us and to create pieces that are unique to us,” says RNZB Artistic Director and Choreographer Ethan Stiefel.

Kiwi born and 2011 UK Critics’ Circle National Dance Award nominated, Andrew Simmons draws on his relationship with the dancers and the music for his long awaited follow up to 2010’s haunting A Song in the Dark, titled Of Days. “After the success of A Song in the Dark, so many people came up to me and said “I saw this” or “I felt that”; they were moved in some way. It is their interpretations that are interesting and inspiring to me as a choreographer; that is what makes dance truly alive, the intimate interaction between the choreographer, the dancer and the audience.”

The multi-award winning Venezuelan director and choreographer Javier De Frutos has created four works across a ten year relationship with the RNZB. Milagros (2003) received glowing reviews (“a riveting Rite of Spring” NZ Herald; “Stunning” The Arts Desk) and The Anatomy of a Passing Cloud is a piece created specifically with the RNZB in mind.
“I am making dance couture. I have seen that this company does my work really well so this work is made for them to dance it in their way. I am very much hoping that it becomes an integral part of the RNZB repertoire,” says Javier.

Bier Halle is a spirited comedy which Ethan Stiefel believes will “delight audiences with laughter, lederhosen and virtuoso technique.” He explains “I very much hope the audience arrives ready to have some fun. I have to think that a ballet set in a beer hall, led by the music of Johann Strauss II, would put a smile on most people’s faces.”

Made to Move tours to 7 centres, Wellington, Napier, Auckland, Takapuna, Palmerston North, Dunedin and Ashburton, opening at the St James Theatre in Wellington on 27 February and closing at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre on 24 March.

NOTES

Season of Made to Move tour dates:

Wellington: 27 February – 2 March, St James Theatre
Napier: 5 March, Napier Municipal Theatre
Auckland: 8 – 10 March, ASB Theatre
Takapuna 13 – 14 March, Bruce Mason Centre
Palmerston North: 17 March, Regent on Broadway
Dunedin: 20 March, Regent Theatre
Ashburton: 23 – 24 March, Ashburton Trust Event Centre

Approximate running time: 2 hours, including two intervals.
Casting note: As with all RNZB productions, there are several casts. Audience members are advised to check RNZB’s website for cast lists.

For more information visit: http://www.nzballet.org.nz/shows-and-events/made-to-move/about/

Made to Move:
Three world premieres in one night, Made to Move showcases three brand new works that celebrate the joy of dance, opening in Wellington at the end of next month.
Ethan Stiefel’s first original work for the RNZB, Bier Halle, brings the exuberance of a Bavarian inspired beer hall to the Stage. Choreographer Javier De Frutos creates his third work for the RNZB, The Anatomy of a Passing Cloud, inspired by the Pacific, an exciting follow up to his award-winning Milagros (2003) and Banderillero (2006). Former company member Andrew Simmons, creator of 2010’s beautiful A Song in the Dark complete the trio of world premieres with Of Days.

Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB):
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2013 the RNZB is an intrinsic part of New Zealand’s national heritage, and has the largest following of all New Zealand performing arts companies. The RNZB enjoys a reputation for strong and unique interpretations of full-length dramatic works. To this base have been added the masterworks and major ballets of the 20th century, such as Balanchine's works and the Stravinsky ballets, and the company has an enviable track record in commissioning new works from New Zealand and international choreographers. The RNZB regularly represents New Zealand on the international stage, with recent tours to the UK, Australia and a tour to China is taking place in April of this year. Filming of the third series of hit reality television show ‘Secret Lives of Dancers’ commenced in early 2013 and will be on screen later in the year. The New Zealand Film Commission are funding a major motion film directed by Toa Fraser (No 2 and Dean Spanley) based on RNZB’s 2012 season of Giselle for general release in late 2013.

ENDS

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