International Choreographers return to Perth for West Australian Ballet’s STATE

After rave reviews for its inaugural season in 2021, West Australian Ballet are returning to Perth’s Heath Ledger Theatre with their contemporary mainstage season of STATE. The season will feature three internationally acclaimed choreographers with both World and Australian Premieres.

Acclaimed Dutch master Nils Christe presents his worldwide hit Before Nightfall, an emotive and intense creation that explores dread and uncertainty in the face of imminent danger. Christe’s masterpiece was created for the iconic Paris Opera Ballet and has been performed countless times around the world, including by West Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella and Artistic Associate Sandy Delasalle. Christe has worked for over 65 dance companies around the world, creating nearly 100 ballets after his first work in 1982.

Internationally celebrated Australian choreographer Craig Davidson returns to West Australian Ballet to create a bold new piece. Davidson is remembered by Perth audiences for his stunning work Ambiguous Content which was presented to applause at Ballet at the Quarry in 2016. Since his 2016 work, Davidson has choreographed for a number of the world’s leading dance companies including the Zurich Ballet, Royal Ballet of Flanders and Atlanta Ballet.

Hong Kong choreographers Li Sze Yeung Justyne and Wong Tan Ki will take audiences to Ancient Greece with their moving duet based on Greek mythology, Galatea & Pygmalion. The award winning work has won a number of awards and is set to Philip Glass’ minimalist and impactful score. The pas de deux which premiered in 2010, has been performed by Li Sze Yeung Justyne and Wong Tan Ki and sees the sculptor become infatuated with his work of art, with the sculpture coming to life after Aphrodite, the goddess of love, answers his prayers.

“STATE is an opportunity for our choreographers to push boundaries and try new things. Bold, breathtaking and new, these pieces are far from what is to be expected from traditional ballet. I am thrilled our Company will get to bring these innovative works to the people of Perth”, said Artistic Direcotr, Aurélien Scannella.

The scintillating season of STATE is set to be an audience’s paradise, with international choreographers set to shine with West Australian Ballet’s world-class Company of 47 dancers. The new mainstage performance season was heralded as “a stunning snapshot of contemporary dance performed by our State’s top talent” by The West Australian upon its premiere staging in 2021.

With just nine performances in this multi-bill contemporary season opening on Friday 24 June, don’t miss this truly international showcase. Tickets begin at $32 for West Australian Ballet’s STATE and can be purchased now from waballet.com.au/state