RNZB choreographer nominated for Olivier Award

RNZB choreographer nominated for Olivier Award

Nominations for the prestigious Olivier Awards 2016 have been announced in London and Venezuelan director and choreographer Javier De Frutos has been nominated for Outstanding Achievement in Dance for The Anatomy of A Passing Cloud. This dance work was originally commissioned by the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2013 and was performed by the company at the Linbury Studio Theatre, at London’s Royal Opera House in November 2015.

The RNZB originally commissioned De Frutos to create The Anatomy of A Passing Cloud in 2013 to mark the company’s 60th anniversary year. He spent six weeks with the RNZB creating the work ahead of its premiere in Wellington and subsequent tour throughout New Zealand. In 2016 the company reprised and performed the work in Leeds, Canterbury, London and Rome as part of a mixed bill during the company’s end of year International tour to the UK and Italy.

“We’re delighted that Javier De Frutos has been nominated for an Olivier Award for this stunning work which holds a special place in our repertoire. Javier is part of the extended RNZB family – having first created Milagros for the RNZB in 2003.” says Francesco Ventriglia, Artistic Director of the RNZB.

The Anatomy of A Passing Cloud is Javier De Frutos’ take on Pasifika, an exploration of a culture that he loves and wishes to celebrate. Viewed through the lens of an outsider who is himself an immigrant in London, it is a fascinating, provocative work – highly athletic and with many moods.

Of the work in 2013 De Frutos described it as a dance work very much inspired by the Pacific. It explores New Zealand’s relation to its physical location and its very identity as a Pacific nation. “I have taken Pacific influences that I like: inspirations, sounds, shape, styles, and reworked them. Obviously the Pacific is not my home as it is yours but I feel that as a guest you can own the love of something and I love this part of the world.”

The Olivier Awards 2016 will be announced at the Royal Opera House on 3 April. The Awards are a celebration of London’s finest performances and productions.

ENDS

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