MBC reflects on 2016 & looks ahead
In the midst of the holiday season, Melbourne Ballet Company Director and Resident Choreographer Simon Hoy found time to reflect on all his company had accomplished in 2016. Likewise, he also cast his vision for the New Year.
In an email newsletter sent out, Hoy shared the following update and recap:
“2016 was a very successful year for MBC. The season was titled Intention and Desire and was supported by Creative Victoria. Intention and Desire and was made up of three new programs: The Veil of Maya, Empyrean, and Guernica. In fact, 2016 featured no less than seven new works from an array of some of Australia’s foremost choreographers: Tim Harbour (The Australian Ballet), Rani Luther (Netherlands Dans Theatre), Tim Podesta (Projection Dance), Lucas Jervies (The Australian Ballet, Scapino Ballet), MBC dancer Alexander Baden Bryce, as well as my own work. The Intention and Desire trilogy embodied unique creative expression, together with much choreographic diversity. Each individual program was positioned around a strong central theme, so that successive programs added a new chapter to the overarching concept – which itself took inspiration from Pablo Picasso’s masterwork – The Guernica.
In June, MBC featured in the motion picture Dance Academy – The Comeback, directed by Jeffrey Walker, written by Samantha Strauss and produced by Werner Film Productions. I created the ballet Cognitive Dissonance for the film, which is due for release in April 2017.
With the support of The Australia Council, the company also toured Archè and Divenire to many sold-out venues throughout Australia and I am especially happy to say all these programs were very well received by audiences and critics alike.”
Looking ahead to 2017, Hoy noted that the company will celebrate its 10th anniversary and will premiere two new programs.
“Being & Time takes much of its inspiration from German philosopher Martin Heidegger’s views on existentialism and his understanding of ‘being’. Being & Time will premiere first in Sydney and then in Melbourne in March.
The second program, titled A Subjective Perspective, will explore expressionism and depict something of the way expressionist artists seek to express the meaning of emotion. A Subjective Perspective is scheduled to premiere in Melbourne in September.
MBC is extremely excited to be joined next year by acclaimed choreographers Lucas Jervies, Daniel Jaber, Alice Topp and Tim Podesta to create this new work.”
In addition, Hoy shared that the company will tour Guernica (based on Romeo and Juliet), Empyrean and Archè (based on Swan Lake) throughout Australia and New Zealand, presenting over 40 performances and 50 dance workshops during this period.
“Finally I would like to thank the wonderful dancers of MBC – they are an extraordinary team of artists and are the absolute backbone of this dynamic company,” Hoy concluded. “We at MBC greatly look forward to working with many of you in the coming year.”