Review: RNZB’s Macbeth
Review contains major spoilers for the RNZB’s Macbeth — the only reason I’m spoiler warning a 400 year old story based loosely off an 1000 year old historical figure is that the RNZB does include some changes in its staging that are more so implied in the text, and there’s also some things you want to […]
A Once in a Lifetime Ballet Treat this Friday & Saturday
For the first time in fifty years, the Scottish Ballet visits Aotearoa for a dream collaboration. This Friday and Saturday in Pōneke only, the RNZB and the Scottish Ballet will share the stage to present four gorgeous works. Dextera (Scottish Ballet) commissioned to celebrate the Scottish Ballet’s 50th Anniversary in 2019, is created by Franco-British […]
Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Delve into the sublime, surreal and a little bit sexy this Halloween with the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s rebirth of their iconic ballet A Midsummer Night’s Dream. A co-production with the Queensland Ballet and first performed in 2015, this stunning performance combines the late Liam Scarlett’s choreography with Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream score […]
Review: Hansel & Gretel
The RNZB’s Hansel & Gretel is back for an end of year sweet treat. This was my first ever ballet when I moved to Wellington, and it was an utter delight to get a chance to check it out again for this year’s iteration. Choregraphed and composed by my favourite RNZB duo, Loughlan Prior and […]
Review: Romeo & Juliet
Image credit: Stephen A’Court Reviewed by Talia Carlisle What a magical place Wellington is, when you can start your evening with gin and fresh seafood at Cinderella’s for the Wellington on a Plate Launch — and pop down to the St James Theatre, home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their opening night of […]
Giselle by the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Giselle is a ballet I know very little about, aside from one episode of Angel and reading the synopsis on Wikipedia: The ghost-filled ballet tells the tragic, romantic story of a beautiful young peasant girl who falls for the flirtations of the deceitful and disguised nobleman Albrecht. When the ruse is revealed, the fragile Giselle dies […]
I like the St James theatre but not what was on stage
Last night we — along with a range of other fancy media types were invited by Positively Wellington Venues to have drinks & canapes and watch Rock the Ballet at the Saint James Theatre last night . Based on the lovely people we met, and the amazing food and service we were offered (Lightly seared tuna on wonton crisps! Vegetarian […]
The not-so-secret lives of dancers
The Royal New Zealand ballet’s been getting itself all kinds of attention lately, like with their Lady Gaga dance on YouTube, and the TV show The Secret Lives of Dancers. In addition, The Nutcracker opens tonight — we’ll have a review for you next week, but if you can’t wait or can’t afford a ticket, […]