Stars of the Royal New Zealand Ballet at a theatre near you.

Get up close and personal to Aotearoa’s finest ballet dancers with Tutus on Tour – the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s much-loved regional touring programme, supported by Ryman Healthcare.

Bringing homegrown and cutting-edge classical dance to theatres from Kerikeri in the Far North to Gore in the Deep South, the RNZB’s Tutus on Tour takes in 14 regional centres, starting on 29 February at the brand new Kāpiti Performing Arts Centre.  

With something for everyone, Tutus on Tour is popular with audiences up and down the country.  New shows are being added as some performances are sold out.    

‘Tutus on Tour plays an important role at the RNZB’, says Artistic Director Patricia Barker, ‘Performing is what gives our dancers true joy and bringing great dance to the many communities and audiences throughout New Zealand is what drives our passion. Transcending the everyday through dance is what connects the human in us all. We can’t wait to see you over the summer.’

Many RNZB dancers had their first experience of professional ballet with Tutus on Tour. 

‘When I was little, I loved when Tutus on Tour came to Tauranga’, says Olivia Moore who has danced with the company since 2018, ‘I would sit in the audience and dream of dancing on stage with the company and now that dream has come true. I hope that I am now that dancer, inspiring the next generation to reach for their dreams’. 

Tutus on Tour also kicks off a celebratory year of dance featuring a line-up of all-female choreographers, with four works that include a world premiere and two other RNZB commissions.  These hour-long performances offer variety and enjoyment for audiences of all ages, while inspiring the next generation of dancers.     

Recently retired RNZB Principal Abigail Boyle restages Artemis Rising on the company, alongside the work’s choreographer Sarah Foster-Sproull. At the heart of this piece is a graceful, evocative solo for a strong female dancer, inspired by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and of the moon.

Remember, Mama is Danielle Rowe’s tender look at the relationship between a mother and son at different stages of their life, from childhood to old age. It was commissioned for the RNZB’s critically acclaimed Strength & Grace season in 2018, marking the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage in New Zealand.

Berceuse by award-winning American choreographer Penny Saunders is a rapturous, deeply musical pas de deux set to a lyrical lullaby by Benjamin Godard.

Former RNZB Dancer Kiara Flavin premieres her newly commissioned classical ballet Wayward in celebration of the power of dancers performing in harmony with great music, compassion, strength and soul.

Ryman Healthcare Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said New Zealand’s largest retirement village operator was pleased to have been asked to support Tutus on Tour once more.

“We love the Tutus tour because not only does it open up this beautiful art form to audiences outside of the main centres, it means a whole lot more of our residents and their families in the regions benefit as well.

“We sincerely hope it inspires a new generation of dancers – as well as keeping their grandparents enthralled.’

With tickets priced at just $27-$37 for adults ($12-$22 for children) these special shows sell fast.

Find out more 

rnzb.org.nz/tutus

Tutus on Tour performances:

KĀPITI, KĀPITI PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE, SAT 29 FEB
NELSON, NELSON THEATRE ROYAL, SUN 1 and MON 2 MAR
WHANGAREI, CAPITAINE BOUGAINVILLE THEATRE, 3 MAR
BLENHEIM, ASB MARLBOROUGH THEATRE, 4 MAR
KERIKERI, THE TURNER CENTRE, TUE 4 MAR
HAMILTON, CLARENCE STREET THEATRE, FRI 6 and SAT 7 MAR
QUEENSTOWN, MEMORIAL THEATRE, SAT 7 MAR
WANAKA, LAKE WANAKA CENTRE, SUN 8 MAR
TAUPO, GREAT LAKE CENTRE, TUE 10 MAR
GORE, ST JAMES THEATRE, WED 11 MAR 
NEW PLYMOUTH, TSB SHOWPLACE, THUR 12 MAR
OAMARU, OAMARU OPERA HOUSE, FRI 13 MAR
ASHBURTON, ASHBURTON TRUST EVENTS CENTRE, SAT 14 MAR

WHANGANUI, ROYAL WANGANUI OPERA HOUSE, SAT 14 MAR