Royal New Zealand Ballet’s mixed programme The Anatomy of a Passing Cloud garnered high praise following it’s UK performances in Leeds, Canterbury and London’s Linbury Studio Royal Opera House.

“RNZB are an attractive and versatile company”, ”Neil Ieremia’s Passchendaele is the best” The Guardian

“lively and likeable” The Telegraph

“both Anzac pieces were deeply felt and strongly danced” Financial Times

“an intriguing programme from this versatile and independent-minded company” London Evening Standard

“a very entertaining and thoughtful quadruple bill”, “incredibly moving”, “such a brilliant watch”, “This was a fine night at the theatre“ Dancing Review

The programme featured four contemporary works, two by international choreographers Javier De Frutos (The Anatomy of The Passing Cloud) and Andonis Foniadakis (Selon désir)*; and two by New Zealanders Andrew Simmons (Dear Horizon) and Neil Ieremia (Passchendaele), which were created to mark the centenary of World War One as part of the RNZB’s acclaimed Salute programme.

The RNZB’s international tour continued to Italy this week with Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia taking the company to his home country. Performances begin this week in Udine, followed by Vicenza and Rome.

*Selon désir will receive its New Zealand premiere as part of the RNZB’s Speed of Light mixed bill in 2016, appearing at the New Zealand and Auckland Arts Festivals and touring to Christchurch and Dunedin.

Photo credit: Evan Li