After the successful return of the RNZB’s Tutus on Tour in 2017, we are delighted to continue bringing the magic of ballet to all corners of New Zealand in 2018, through our much-loved regional touring programme.

Supported by Ryman Healthcare, seven regional centres will have the opportunity to see the dancers of the RNZB performing classical favourites and contemporary works, tailor-made for smaller venues, and suitable for all ages.

Working in partnership with our Community and Education programme, Tutus on Tour also gives local schools the chance to get up close to the RNZB with Ballet in a Box: observing the dancers’ daily warm up, watching them perform brief works, and then exploring their world via a Q&A session. In the evening, the dancers will present performances from the company’s repertoire, in full costume.

TUTUS ON TOUR PROGRAMME

Raymonda Pas de Dix

Choreography: after Marius Petipa
Music: Alexander Glazunov
Staging: Patricia Barker

Petipa’s Raymonda, first staged in St Petersburg in 1898, is rarely seen in its entirety. The third act, from which the Pas de Dix is taken, is a wedding celebration for the heroine Raymonda and the noble Jean de Brienne. Featuring four couples and a principal pair, this is a wonderful opportunity for the dancers to display their classical technique and artistry.

‘Meet the Swan’

Choreography: Mário Radačovský
Music: Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Staging: Nicholas Schultz

Originally created in 2012 for Grand Rapids Ballet (Michigan USA) under the directorship of Patricia Barker.

‘Meet the Swan’ is a stylish, witty, contemporary excerpt from one of ballet’s most beloved stories, Swan Lake. Slovak choreographer Mário Radačovský’s full-length work Black & White, transforms one of ballet’s greatest love stories of innocence and betrayal into a creative, provocative and powerful Swan Lake of our times. ‘Meet the Swan’, with original music from Act II of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, brings a new perspective to Siegfried’s first encounter with the Swan as she reveals herself to be a beautiful woman cursed by an evil magician.

The Long and the Short of It

Choreography: Loughlan Prior
Music: Mikhail Glinka, Ottorino Respighi, Marco Enrico
Bossi, Sergei Rachmaninov, Alexander Borodin

Aussie/Kiwi choreographer Loughlan Prior, RNZB Choreographer in Residence and a member of the company since 2010, created The Long and the Short of It in 2017. It is an attempt at deconstructing a daydream, from the dreamer’s point of view. The work begins with Sir Jon Trimmer sitting ever so peacefully, before his mind begins to travel away to a place filled with colourful and mischievous characters.

A playful work full of subtle humour, energy, youth and wonder, The Long and the Short of It highlights that we are never too old to go out and dance. Sir Jon, a part of the RNZB for 60 years, continues to inspire a new generation of choreographers.

Tutus on Tour is not part of the RNZB’s 2018 subscription season.