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30 October 2008
West Australian Ballet announces big story ballets, dynamic choreography, and an expanded company in 2009.
Following a widely acclaimed first season in 2008 for West Australian Ballet, Ivan Cavallari has unveiled his second season for 2009.
Cavallari's vision remains to bring exceptional ballet to the people of Western Australia. "a broad range of quality repertoire, national and international choreographers and productions, to inspire my dancers and the audience," he says.
In order to do so, the Company has permanently expanded to 32 dancers with a program for young artists. In addition it will maintain its fourth season at The Regal Theatre, which attracted audiences beyond the company's expectations last year.
Season 2009 opens at the magical Quarry Amphitheatre, 11 - 28 February. Ballet at the Quarry has become an unmissable event on Perth's summer calendar, part of the Perth International Arts Festival. The program will include Natalie Weir's poignant Lacrimosa, which was choreographed to Mozart's Requiem with the Quarry in mind, along with a new work from young Australian choreographer Tim Harbour, formerly of The Australian Ballet. And for the first time in Australia, a cheeky work - Lickety-split - by acclaimed Spanish choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo, performed to music by popular indie-folk musician Devendra Banhart.
Then from 17 April - 2 May, West Australian Ballet is thrilled to be performing the quintessential romantic ballet, Giselle, at His Majesty's Theatre. Accompanied by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, this magical, moonlit, sumptuous production is based on the original 1841 version, choreographed by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. It has been performed by the some of the world's most prestigious ballet companies and comes to West Australian Ballet courtesy of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. "This giselle is a perfect gem" - The National Business Review From 3 - 18 July the company returns to His Majesty's Theatre to perform the greatest love story ever told, Romeo and Juliet. This exciting version choreographed by Youri Vàmos is set in the 1930's and features an evocative set and costumes from the period. Accompanied once again by the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, this production comes to West Australian Ballet courtesy of Deutsche Oper Am Rhein. "Even more familiar to audience members than Prokofiev's score will be this genuine evocation of first love. Vàmos' choreography is stunning in its ability to touch the heart, which is no small feat when presenting one of the world's most familiar tales." - The Prague Post The final main season performances for 2009 will take place in the art deco ambience of Subiaco's Regal Theatre, from 1 -3 October. Ballet at the Regal features an adventurous program of short works including Uwe Scholtz' masterpiece, Suite No 2 for two pianos by Rachmaninov, performed with live accompaniment, in this fifth anniversary year of Scholz' death. Ivan Cavallari will also choreograph his second new work for the company, Dolly, a contemplation of immortality, set to the stirring Andantino from Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No 2. This is also the audience's second chance to see Cerrudo's Lickety-split and Tim Harbour's new work. For further information please contact: Rosita Stangl, Publicist
West Australian Ballet
ph: 9367 8884 or email: rositapr@iinet.net.au
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5 September 2008
Jayne Smeulders Wins West Australian Dance Award
West Australian Ballet Leading Artist, Jayne Smeulders, has been awarded the West Australian Dance Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer for her role in Alice (September 2007). The 2008 West Australian Dance Awards (WADA's) were presented at the Ausdance WA Fabulous Cocktail Party on September 4, held at the University Club, University of Western Australia. The WADA's recognise the achievements of the West Australian dance community, in the areas of performance, choreography, technology, service, teaching and community. Other winners on the night were Chrissie Parrot, for Metadance and Lucette Aldous for lifetime achievement in dance. Smeulders has danced with West Australian Ballet for the last nine years and says she loves performing for West Australian audiences in her home town of Perth. Born in Dampier, she began her ballet training at Jody Marshall Dance Company and studied at the Graduate College of Dance, and the Hamburg Staatsoper GMBG Ballettschule in Germany. Before joining West Australian Ballet she performed for many years all over the world with Nederlands Dans Theater ii. She was promoted to Leading Artist early in 2008.
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