Dear Supporters,
After 18 months of preparation, The
TelstraClear Season of Giselle opened to a
rapturous reception at the St James Theatre last Wednesday evening.
There was an extraordinary atmosphere in the theatre, and we felt
privileged to be able to share the production with such an enthusiastic
audience.
If you saw the show in Wellington, we hope you enjoyed it – spread the
word! We have another 17 performances to look forward to around New
Zealand.
With best wishes from us all,
Amanda, Ethan and
everyone at the RNZB
Here’s what some of the critics have been saying:
Dominion
Post
Dancelines
(Australia)
Lucire
NZ
Theatreview
Dancetabs
(UK)
And if you’d like a sneak peek at the production, here’s our latest backstage
video.
We’re on the road!
As we write, our technical crew are on their second full day of work in Christchurch,
transforming the CBS Arena into a theatre for our performances on 15, 16
and 17 November. The rigging needed is akin to that required for most rock
concerts, and the set up will take twice as long as in any other venue. The
dancers arrive this afternoon and are all incredibly excited to be
returning to Christchurch for the first time this year.
The following week, we’re further south, with two shows in Invercargill (20
and 21 November) and two in Dunedin
(24 – 25 November). Then it’s back up to Auckland, Rotorua and Napier before
ending the tour at Palmerston
North’s Regent on Broadway on 12 December.
Casting information
Latest casting information is posted online at nzballet.org.nz/gisellecasting.
Three couples (Gillian Murphy and Qi Huan, Antonia Hewitt and Andrew Bowman
and Lucy Green and Kohei Iwamoto) performed the leading roles of Giselle
and Albrecht in Wellington; remarkably, only Qi Huan had danced his role
before.
There has been a real buzz about all three casts, with Gillian and Qi
described as ‘utterly riveting and beautifully matched’ by UK dance
magazine DanceTabs. In the same review, critic Raewyn Whyte praised Andrew
Bowman’s ‘soaring leaps and sure partnering’, together with Antonia
Hewitt’s technical command ‘… clean and sure, her balances well-sustained,
spins and leaps perfectly pitched and her characterization is subtly
nuanced, compelling to watch.’
It has been a real pleasure to have two such distinguished guest artists
performing with the RNZB – and we are especially pleased that Andrew Bowman
has had such a wonderful ‘homecoming’ with the company. For more background
on this great New Zealand dancer, see this recent feature interview in The
Listener.
Giselle merchandise – Friends’ sales
tables
You can help our fabulous Friends support the RNZB by doing some of your
Christmas shopping at our Friends’ sales tables in Christchurch, Auckland,
Napier and Palmerston North. Stocking fillers for ballet lovers include Giselle magnets,
badges and posters, plus RNZB tote bags, T-shirts and lots of other
goodies. Our Friends are all volunteers and will be delighted to answer any
questions that you might have about becoming a Friend.
Giselle on film
You may already have caught up with the exciting news that Giselle is being made
into a feature film, directed by award-winning New Zealand director Toa
Fraser and produced by Matthew Metcalfe, with the support of the New
Zealand Film Commission. Although some footage will be captured at
performances, the dancers will be returning to Wellington at the conclusion
of the Giselle
tour for extra filming at the St James Theatre.
They’ll have two weeks off for Christmas, and then it’s back to work on 3
January to start rehearsals for Made to Move: three brand new ballets
created by Javier de Frutos, Andrew Simmonds and Ethan Stiefel.
Friends of the Royal
New Zealand Ballet – Auckland Cocktail Party, Wednesday 28 November
Friends, supporters and ballet lovers are warmly invited to join the
Auckland branch of the Friends of the RNZB for their annual fundraising
cocktail party in aid of the RNZB. This year’s event will be held at the
Northern Club, and the guest speaker will be Gillian Murphy. Tickets are
$50 and are now on sale, for further information or to book please contact Christine Savory on
(09) 575 5984 or Andrea Watson
on (09) 525 9118.
A pre-Christmas
treat from our friends at Nautilus
Nautilus Estate of Marlborough is proud to support the Royal New Zealand
Ballet and especially to ‘partner’ dancer Antonia Hewitt, currently giving
memorable performances in the title role of Giselle.
To celebrate Giselle,
and looking ahead to Christmas, our friends at Nautilus have kindly donated
six three-bottle cases of their delicious Nautilus Cuvée Brut NV – the
perfect wine to enjoy over the holiday period. This delicious sparkling
wine is made from 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay in the ‘traditional
method’ that was first developed in Champagne. Nautilus Cuvee Brut NV is
aged for a minimum of three years, giving it depth, richness and intensity.
We have six
prizes of three-bottle packs of Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV to give
away to lucky ballet fans around New Zealand. To be in to win simply email info@nzballet.org.nz with your name,
delivery address and a daytime phone number, with 'Nautilus' in the subject
line. Entries close next Friday, 23 November.
Enjoy Nautilus Estate responsibly. You must be 18 years or over to enter.
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The TelstraClear Season of Giselle
Christchurch - CBS
Arena
15 - 17 November 2012
Booking Details
Invercargill - Civic
Theatre
20 - 21 November 2012
Booking Details
Dunedin - Regent
Theatre
Featuring the Southern Sinfonia
24 - 25 November 2012
Booking Details
Auckland - ASB
Theatre
Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
29 November - 2 December 2012
Booking Details
Rotorua - Civic
Theatre
5 December 2012
Booking Details
Napier - Municipal
Theatre
8 - 9 December 2012
Booking Details
Palmerston North -
Regent on Broadway
12 December 2012
Booking Details
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