Media Release – 3 February 2022

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) spectacular programme of three ballets, Venus Rising – set to open the company’s 2022 season this month – will move dates for the fourth time.  

Originally cancelled, rescheduled and then postponed twice due to COVID in 2020, this much-anticipated season was finally going make its way, radiantly, to Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland later this month as part of Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts and Auckland Arts Festival. However, Omicron has proved too powerful for Venus this time and the premiere will move to November and December. 

RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker, says, “This is the most beautiful trio of ballets which we adore and are incredibly proud of. Despite so many setbacks already we are relentless in our desire to deliver it to audiences and have therefore found a window of opportunity immediately following our Spring season of Tutus on Tour. It’s a tight turnaround, but we can do it, and will, back at our home in the St. James Theatre. Venus will rise.” 

Three extraordinary works choreographed by three formidable women who have blazed a trail on the international stage make up the powerful programme now opening in Wellington 24 to 26 November and in Auckland 8 to 10 December, with dates in Christchurch hopefully to follow. It captures the spirit of Venus – the brightest of stars, and herald of the dusk and dawn. A sacred goddess of love, beauty and victory over adversity. 

The RNZB are currently finalising arrangements with each theatre. Following that, all ticket holders will be contacted directly and invited to either move their tickets to the November to December season, to receive a full refund or offer their ticket cost as a donation to the RNZB. The show can go ahead in the Orange traffic light in the Government’s COVID Protection Framework, under the current rules. 

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