RNZB to light up Royal Opera House stage

This week, the RNZB has sent a team of six to the northern hemisphere for the first time in over a decade! They are set to perform in The Royal Ballet’s International Draft Works programme, from April 16-18 at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. Dancers Ana Gallardo Lobaina, Kirby Selchow, Kihiro Kusukami and Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson will be performing Sarah Foster-Sproull’s Ultra Folly as our offering to the programme, which will also be shared with New Zealand audiences in our Winter Season in July.

The RNZB has the honour of performing alongside dancers from Northern Ballet (UK), Ballet D’Jerri, the Royal Danish Ballet, the National Ballet of Japan, Paris Opera Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, Norwegian National Ballet and The Royal Ballet itself.

Originally created for the Company in 2020 and previously performed in Tutus on Tour, Ultra Folly is a finely detailed chamber ballet that explores human connection, intimacy and restraint.  Set to variations of the centuries-old musical theme La Folia, the work draws on  a rich history of composition and improvisation dating back to the 15th century.   Foster-Sproull’s choreography responds to the emotional depth of the music,  weaving together intricate physical exchanges that examine the tension between  touch and distance. 

About Ultra Folly, Josh says “It is pure energy, joy, and intrigue. I’ve never danced a piece quite like it, and never one that makes you so tired in a short span of ten minutes. I think a lot of dance is very serious and intense, so it will be rewarding to present something that is bright and a bit whimsical, that still pushes the boundaries and limits of what the body can do. Hopefully we will have the audience smiling in their seats!’

"Ultra Folly’s a flavour bomb of a piece, intense, contagiously joyful, packed with moves per minute, and divine costumes and music! I’m excited to show everyone in London we have got talent, style and hot movers down in New Zealand! Representing our company but also our country is a big honour. Since this is my first time touring internationally with the company, I don't feel the impact of it being 10 years since the last one, but what I do feel is great pride, responsibility and immense excitement!"

Ana Gallardo Lobaina

Back in 2020, the RNZB was invited to perform in International Draft Works, only to have travel cancelled at the last minute, just hours before the RNZB team were due to fly, due to Covid-19. Bags that were zipped up and ready were unpacked, and disappointment was felt not only by those dancers due to travel, but by the whole company. Soloist Kirby Selchow was one of the dancers set to perform in 2020 and now will complete the experience this weekend.

Kirby says “It feels incredibly full circle. There’s definitely a sense of gratitude and excitement to finally experience something that was once taken away.”

International Draft Works is a fantastic opportunity to network and build relationships with fellow creatives around the world, a chance we don’t always get in our secluded nation at the bottom of the globe.

These performances also create space to reconnect with members of the RNZB whanau, with Josh sharing:

“I’m excited to see Damani Campbell Williams, who I lived with during his time with the RNZB (2022 – 24) and is now back living in the UK. It’s nice to see a fellow Kiwi in the lineup for IDW also; NZSD graduate Tabitha Dombroski who dances with Ballet d’Jèrri, it’ll be great to catch up with them.”

And Kirby:

“I am really looking forward to reconnecting with Lori Strange (nee Gilchrist) who was a dancer with the RNZB in 2014 – 15. She and her now husband came to New Zealand together when I first joined back in 2014, we lived together, became very close friends and I was also a bridesmaid at their wedding after the RNZB’s six-week tour of the UK and Italy at the end of 2015.”

Photos: RNZB team with former RNZB artist Damani Williams (fun fact: the barista who took this photo was a fellow Kiwi!)

Kirby with former RNZB dancer Lori Gilchrist and Choreographer in Residence Loughlan Prior

Kihiro is looking forward to reconnecting with Yohei Sasaki, Artistic Manager of English National Ballet, whom he met at Queensland Ballet as the repetiteur for No Mans Land by Liam Scarlett. He says “I’m excited to see him and show how much I have improved and grown since then.” Kihiro will also have his mother, and her best friend, in the audience for his birthday show (18 April) to celebrate. “I feel so supported and lucky to have family with me in this international opportunity.”

Whilst all four of the dancers will be sharing morning class with Soloists and Principals of The Royal Ballet, Ana, Kihiro and Josh will be staying on in the northern hemisphere for some professional development, taking class with companies such as English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Zurich Ballet and watching performances of Kenneth Macmillan’s Mayerling, Carlos Acosta’s Don Quixote and Cathy Marston’s Clara before returning home for the RNZB Voyages season at the end of May.

This trip was made possible with generous investment from the Royal New Zealand Ballet Foundation. Thank you to the Foundation’s Trustees and supporters for your kindness and belief in our work.