Australian Ballet headed to China in October
In late May, The Australian Ballet announced the company will tour to Beijing and Shanghai in October, performing programs that include two of the company’s best loved signature works—Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake and Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella—plus a mixed bill program at two important and prestigious festivals, the National Centre for Performing Arts Dance Festival and the Shanghai International Arts Festival.
Speaking at the tour announcement at Parliament House in May, Attorney-General for Australia and Minister for the Arts the Hon George Brandis QC and Minister for Foreign Affairs the Hon Julie Bishop confirmed the Federal Government’s support for this important tour. It will contribute funding of $150,000 towards tour costs.
“It is an honour that our national ballet company, The Australian Ballet, has been invited back to China for the eighth time to participate in such important festivals. I’m confident the company will make all Australians proud as they once again demonstrate their trademark world-class performance standards on the international stage,” Brandis said.
Bishop stated, “Cultural diplomacy is an important and effective way to develop broader relationships between nations. I’m delighted that The Australian Ballet tour will facilitate this with deeper diplomatic, commercial and cultural alliances between China and Australia.”
Artistic Director David McAllister said, “I am thrilled that The Australian Ballet will once again be performing in China. Since 1980 we have built a fantastic relationship with the Chinese audiences and we look forward to opening the National Centre for Performing Arts Dance Festival (NCPA) in Beijing and being a part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival on this our eighth tour of China.”
“This tour is a great opportunity for us to showcase the distinctive talents of The Australian Ballet – Australia’s national ballet company – in three programs,” he added. “In Beijing, where we are looking forward to our first performances in the National Performing Arts Centre, our program includes Graeme Murphy’s signature work Swan Lake, the first time this ballet will be performed in Beijing. Shanghai will see the first international performances of Alexei Ratmansky’s unique Cinderella, created for us in 2013. We will also perform a mixed program, which showcases the rich versatility of our dancers, in both cities. This program includes Serge Lifar’s Suite en Blanc, Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room and Stephen Baynes’ emotional duet Unspoken Dialogues.”
In addition to the support of the Australian Government and The Australian Ballet’s international tour partner, Qantas, this tour is also supported by two important new partners: Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Limited, one of the world’s largest listed jewellery companies with extensive distribution in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau; and Rio Tinto Diamonds, one of the world’s leading diamond producers with a portfolio that includes the iconic Australian Argyle diamond mine.
Rio Tinto Diamonds Chief Executive Alan Davies said, “Rio Tinto is delighted to support one of Australia’s great arts organisations. A deep understanding of the arts plays an important role in a sophisticated business like Rio Tinto and a well-rounded society. Our partnership with The Australian Ballet is a logical extension of our partnership approach in China, one of Rio Tinto’s key markets and where we have a history going back over half a century.”
Rio Tinto’s strategic partnership with Chow Tai Fook has resulted in fashion jewellery collaborations using diamonds from the Argyle mine.
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Ltd. Managing Director Kent Wong said, “We are very proud of our five-year partnership with Rio Tinto Diamonds and we are delighted to be aligned with another of Australia’s great exports, The Australian Ballet.”
Embarking on such a tour is no small feat. Speaking at the announcement in Canberra, Libby Christie, the executive director of The Australian Ballet, noted that the project involved a touring party of 112 people, including dancers, music, wardrobe, medical, technical and company staff, along with 12 shipping containers filled with three sets, over 400 costumes and 295 pairs of shoes, including 168 pointe shoes.
The Australian Ballet’s relationship with China stretches back to 1980 when the company first toured the region. Since then the ballet has regularly returned to perform across the country and has developed strong relationships with resident ballet companies, which have included exchange programs for dancers and those working behind-the-scenes in the industry.
Australian Ambassador to China Frances Adamson said, “During my time as Ambassador in China, it has been extraordinary to witness the growth of the cultural and performing arts sector here. Touring and collaboration of the sort The Australian Ballet is planning this year are vital if Australia’s cultural offerings are to remain visible and attractive to this booming market, and the significant opportunities it offers.”
As Australia’s national ballet company, The Australian Ballet has had a long history of international touring, and has visited 37 countries and 87 cities since it was founded in 1962. This tour marks the company’s 24th international tour.
The Australian Ballet will open the NCPA Dance Festival on Friday, October 16 with its mixed bill. The next two nights, October 17 and 18, will present Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake. After a short break, the company will premiere Alexei Ratmanksy’s Cinderella in Shanghai at the Shanghai International Arts Festival on October 22 and 23. On October 24, the company will conclude its tour with a presentation of its mixed bill. For more information, visit www.australianballet.com.au.
Photo: Chengwu Guo, The Australian Ballet’s youngest principal artist who grew up in China and trained at the Beijing Dance Academy. Photo by Justin Ridler.