The Firebird with My Brilliant Career

in association with AVIS

Loughlan Prior’s The Firebird – a fairytale of a desert world where water is infinitely precious – was a huge hit for the RNZB in 2021. The national tour,  which enjoyed sell-out performances in Wellington and Auckland, was cut short due to Covid restrictions, so 2025 is the first time that The Firebird has  been seen in the South Island. Tracy Grant Lord’s stunning designs, coupled with immersive projections by POW Studios, provide the backdrop for Prior’s expressive choreography, all built on the foundation of Stravinsky’s epic score.

The Firebird will be paired with one-act ballet My Brilliant Career, based on the novel by Miles Franklin, and familiar to many through the 1979 film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill. The ballet was created in 2023 for Queensland Ballet by UK choreographer Cathy Marston, in demand throughout the ballet world for her imaginative and emotionally compelling storytelling. We are delighted to bring Marston’s work to Aotearoa New Zealand for the first  time, and to share her fiercely intelligent, character-driven choreography with audiences who love dance, theatre and a classic coming-of-age story.

Performances in Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch will feature live orchestra.

Wellington

St James Theatre

Pre-Performance Talk

Q&A Session

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Auckland

Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre, Aotea Centre

Pre-Performance Talk

Q&A Session

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Palmerston North

Regent on Broadway

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Invercargill

Civic Theatre

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Dunedin

The Regent

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Christchurch

Isaac Theatre Royal

Pre-Performance Talk

Q&A Session

Warm Up, Curtain Up!

Behind the scenes

» Vivid storytelling and powerful choreography at its best «

Francesca Horsley on The Firebird, 2021, Theatreview.
image Gallery
Credits

Choreography - The Firebird

Loughlan Prior

Music - The Firebird

Igor Stravinsky

Set & Costume Design - The Firebird

Tracy Grant Lord

Lighting Design - The Firebird

Jon Buswell

Projections - The Firebird

POW Studios

Choreography - MBC

Cathy Marston

Music - MBC

Matthew Hindson

Set & Costume Design - MBC

David Fleischer

Lighting Design - MBC

Paul Jackson

Video Design - MBC

Craig Wilkinson

Conductor

Hamish McKeich

Orchestras

Orchestra Wellington, Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra