anecdotes from the 1990s
Men of the RNZB in Troy Game, 1994, photograph by Stephen A’Court.
A collection of anecdotes from 1990s performances by the RNZB.
The Decay of Lying | 1992
Kim Broad in The Decay of Lying, 1992, choreographed by Douglas Wright to music by Jean-Baptiste Lully, arranged by William Southgate and Craig Utting and designs by Michael Pearce.
This was the first of three works made by Douglas Wright for the RNZB, with subsequent works being rose and fell (1997) and halo (2000). Wright was also a noted Petrouchka in Russell Kerr’s production in 1993.
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Library NZMS 1250.
No Mean Feat | 1994
Dancer and choreographer Eric Languet in a publicity image by Guy Robinson for World News, part of No Mean Feat, a programme of short original works, in 1994.
Eric Languet was one of the RNZB’s most visible artists during the late 1980s and 1990s, dancing leading roles in dramatic and comic repertoire such as Wolfgang Amadeus, Hamlet and A Servant of Two Masters and creating original works such as Drifting Angels (1996).
Who Cares? | 1994
Kerry-Anne Gilberd and Ou Lu in George Balanchine’s Who Cares?, 1994, photograph by Guy Robinson.
This marked the return of works by George Balanchine to the RNZB’s repertoire, in a mixed programme titled Dancing with Mr B, also featuring Balanchines The Four Temperaments and Robert North’s Troy Game.
Agon | 1995
Amy Hollingsworth and Ou Lu in George Balanchine’s Agon, 1995.
Agon, together with Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky pas de deux, were staged for the RNZB by the redoubtable Patricia Neary from the Balanchine Trust.
Soldatenmis | 1998
Men of the RNZB in Jiří Kylián’s Soldatenmis (Soldier’s Mass), 1998, photograph by Guy Robinson.
Matz Skoog counted the acquisition of this work, the first time that the RNZB had performed a ballet by the Czech choreographer, as one of the highlights of his tenure.
Half Hour Call, Mr Trimmer | 1998
Half Hour Call, Mr Trimmer, 1998, was specially commissioned by Matz Skoog to mark Jon Trimmer’s first 40 years with the RNZB.
Playwright Cathy Downes created a memorable piece of theatre which acted as a curtain raiser for La Sylphide.
The Next Step | 1999
Poster for The Next Step, 1999. Evenings of new choreography created by Company dancers for their colleagues have been part of the RNZB’s work throughout its history.
Dancer Shannon Dawson, pictured, contributed a work, Mahahrahja, to music by Kiwi band Head Like A Hole. Shannon went on to become a notable character artist with the Company and on retiring from the stage joined RNZB Education.
Peter Pan | 1999
Costume design for Peter Pan & Captain Hook by Kristian Fredrikson, 1999.
Russell Kerr’s enchanting story ballet, with an original score by Philip Norman, has been a popular part of the RNZB’s repertoire ever since, and has subsequently been performed by West Australian Ballet.