RNZB begins 2015 with flirtatious favourite: Don Quixote

Media Release – Tuesday 3 February – For immediate release

RNZB begins 2015 with flirtatious favourite: Don Quixote.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 2015 season ‘somewhere in La Mancha’ with Don Quixote: a timeless tale of adventure, chivalry and love that has inspiredone of the greatest works in classical ballet.

The RNZB’s Don Quixote, first seen in 2008 and acclaimed for its ‘smashing dancing’, is a fiery, flirtatious delight, combining virtuoso choreography with comic flair that appeals to all ages.

Don Quixote is a ballet that excites new RNZB Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia: “I’m very happy that in my first season I can push our young talented dancers to rise to the challenge that this ballet presents to combine brilliant balletic technique with the great acting ability. The dancers have a superb story to tell and they will give it their all”.

The fast-paced story follows dreamer Don Quixote, together with his nephew Sancho Panza, as they nobly aid and abet lovers Kitri (beautiful and feisty) and Basilio (penniless but proud) in their struggles with the devious Gamache and his cohort of street dancers, Kitri’s pretentious father, and a very cute shaggy dog.

Complete with runaway lovers, a visitation from Cupid and a moonlit gypsy encampment, ‘Don Q’ is a romp of a ballet that will bring Barcelona sunshine to audiences around New Zealand. A special highlight is the bravura grand pas de deux for lovers Kitri and Basilio who ignite Spanish fire onstage with every breathtaking step and prove that true love really does conquer all.

The fun-filled production, set in Barcelona, includes vivid storybook style sets and costumes by former Artistic Director and designer Gary Harris (The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty) with choreography by New Zealander Adrian Burnett.

Opening in Wellington at the St James Theatre on 4 March, the production tours until 1 April to Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland and Palmerston North. In each centre we will offer koha ‘Warm Up, Curtain Up’ sessions plus free post-performance Q&As in Auckland and Wellington. See our website for more details www.rnzb.org.nz

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pronunciation guide: Don-key-ho-tay

Don Quixote 4 March – 1 April 2015

Choreography: after Marius Petipa, Additional choreography: Adrian Burnett, Music: Ludwig Minkus, Staging and design: Gary Harris, Original lighting design: Jon Buswell, Conductor: Nigel Gaynor

Wellington (with Orchestra Wellington) St James Theatre: Wed 04 - Fri 06 March at 7.30pm, Thurs and Sat 07 March Nov at 1:30pm, & 7.30pm. (Warm Up, Curtain Up Friday 6 March, Q&A Sat 07 March)

Christchurch (with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) Isaac Theatre Royal: Wed 11 March at 7.30pm, Thu 12 March at 6.30pm, Fri 13 March at 7.30pm and Sat 14 March 7.30pm. (Warm Up Curtain Up before the show Sat 14 March)

Invercargill Civic Theatre Wed 18 March at 7.30pm (Warm Up, Curtain Up before the show)

Dunedin Regent Theatre: Sat 21 March at 7.30pm (Warm Up, Curtain Up before the show)

Auckland (with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra) ASB Theatre: Thu 26 – Fri 27 March at 7.30pm, Sat 28 March at 1.30pm & 7.30pm and Sun 29 March at 1.30pm. (Warm Up, Curtain Up Fri 27 March, Q&A Sun 29 March)

Palmerston North Regent On Broadway: Wed 01 April at 7.30pm (Warm Up, Curtain Up before the show)

Next season:

Salute 22 May – 25 June

The Royal New Zealand Ballet collaborates with the New Zealand Army Band and distinguished New Zealand composers and choreographers Dwayne Bloomfield, Gareth Farr, Neil Ieremia and Andrew Simmons, in this special programme of works to mark the centenary of World War One. Touring to seven centres across New Zealand the New Zealand Army Band will perform live in all venues throughout the tour. For more information including tour dates, times and venues visit our website.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet:

The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) was founded in 1953 by Danish dancer Poul Gnatt, as a touring professional ballet company for all New Zealanders. Now based at Wellington’s St James Theatre, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is an intrinsic part of New Zealand’s national heritage, and has the largest following of all New Zealand performing arts companies. The Royal New Zealand Ballet continues to invest in live music, performing with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The RNZB enjoys a reputation for strong and unique interpretations of full-length dramatic works. To this base the RNZB have been added many masterworks and major ballets of the 20th century, such as Balanchine's works and the Stravinsky ballets. 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, China and the USA.

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