The grandest graduation programme yet: New Zealand School of Dance celebrates 50 years
Stephen A’Court Above: Hosanna Ball and Saul Newport. The New Zealand School of Dance has traditionally held a highly regarded graduation programme, and this year’s was the grandest we’ve seen, with the school celebrating its 50th anniversary. Held at the St James Theatre, opening night saw Governor-General HE Dame Patsy Reddy attend, along with […]
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s grandest yet: Romeo & Juliet shoots for the stars with spectacle
Top photo: Stephen A’Court; above: Ross Brown Since announcing he would be leaving the Royal New Zealand Ballet as its artistic director in November 2016, it became evident that Romeo & Juliet, the new ballet that had its world première in Wellington tonight, would be Francesco Ventriglia’s love letter to the company. It takes all […]
Royal New Zealand Ballet promises an ‘epic’ production with Romeo and Juliet, opening August 16
Ross Brown The most anticipated ballet of the year in New Zealand, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s production of Romeo and Juliet, set to the music of Sergei Prokofiev and choreographed by the company’s outgoing artistic director, Francesco Ventriglia, has its world première on August 16 in Wellington. The sets and costumes have been designed […]
Andrei; modelled by Henry Humphreys, hair by Lauren Gunn/Colleen, make-up by Lochie Stonehouse/MAC Cosmetics Deadly Ponies Man has launched its latest collection for 2017, inspired by the ocean, using Ink bovine leather and shearling, and brass highlights. It’s meant to convey the idea of a ‘moody seascape’ and an ‘intrepid voyager’, which the promotional images […]
A grand Petit double bill: Royal New Zealand Ballet performs Carmen and L’Arlésienne
Stephen A’Court Above, from top: Joseph Skelton as Don José and Natalya Kusch as Carmen in Carmen. Yuri Marques, with Shaun James Kelly as Frédêric and Madeleine Graham as Vivette in L’Arlésienne. Madeleine Graham as Vivette and Shaun James Kelly as Frédêri in L’Arlésienne. What a treat to see two of Roland Petit’s ballets—L’Arlésienne and Carmen—performed […]
Ross Brown Top: The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Carmen, premièring on February 16, 2017. Above: A new version of Romeo and Juliet, premièring on August 16. Royal New Zealand Ballet artistic director Francesco Ventriglia has announced his second full season for the company, kicking off 2017 with Two Ballets by Roland Petit: Carmen with L’Arlésienne, […]
Royal New Zealand Ballet’s The Wizard of Oz: a family-friendly feast
Ross Brown I truly hope Francesco Ventriglia’s The Wizard of Oz will be performed all over the world, because this family-friendly ballet has all the ingredients for first-time and seasoned watchers alike. What we saw at the world première tonight in Wellington were skilful dancing, moments of contemplation, beautiful staging and design, and a masterful […]
Royal New Zealand Ballet announces world première of The Wizard of Oz
Ross Brown The Royal New Zealand Ballet released more news about its much-anticipated première this year of The Wizard of Oz, conceived by its artistic director Francesco Ventriglia. Based on the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, the ballet will be in two acts and will stay true to the source material. It […]
Bill Cooper Maarten Holl Above, from top: Selon désir, with dancers Abigail Boyle and Loughlan Prior. In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, with Mayu Tanigaito. With tiles and cacti in Cacti. The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Speed of Light, kicking off the New Zealand Festival in Wellington on Friday night, comprised an enjoyable contemporary programme that […]
Royal New Zealand Ballet kicks off Speed of Light, with première at the New Zealand Festival
The Royal New Zealand Ballet kicks off 2016 with Speed of Light, a mixed bill of three works, to feature at the New Zealand Festival and the Auckland Arts’ Festival, before touring the South Island. It marks the first programme put together by Francesco Ventriglia since he joined the company in 2014. The first […]
