Dance News

With rehearsals commencing this week, producers Matthew Henderson and Neil Gooding are thrilled to announce that stage and screen star Ian Stenlake is joining the cast of the Australian premiere of The Bridges of Madison County to play the leading role of Robert Kincaid. Based on the best-selling novel and developed by the Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning creative team of Jason Robert Brown (The Last  Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World) and Marsha Norman (The Secret Garden, The Colour Purple), the Tony Award winning musical The Bridges of Madison County will have its Australian Premiere next month at Hayes Theatre Co.

Perth based Co:3 (Koh three) is an ambitious Australian arts company taking the next stage in its development as a legacy organisation. In 2020 Co:3 Australia enters a new two-year cycle of programming and introduces a range of digital initiatives. The first year of the new programming cycle is devoted to partnership presentations, and the second is focused on staging new works by Co:3’s Artistic Director, Raewyn Hill.

The Australian Musical Theatre Festival is thrilled to announce the special guest star of the 2020 festival, Lucy Maunder. Lucy is an Australian cabaret and theatre performer, currently touring Australia as Mrs Bucket in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for which she was nominated for a Helpmann Award as Best Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Musical. Lucy’s credits include leading roles in the Australian Premiere of Doctor Zhivago, the Australian productions of Matilda, Beautiful: the Carole King Story and many more.

Shanghai Ballet has now postponed its tour of Brisbane following the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus. Queensland Ballet was due to present Shanghai Ballet’s The Lady of the Camellias for an exclusive Australian season in Brisbane opening on Thursday March 12 but has postponed. Shanghai Ballet’s highly accomplished dancers will bring at a later date bring the tragic story of love and sacrifice to life. Based on the book of the same name written by French author Alexandre Dumas in 1852, the novel has inspired Verdi’s La Traviata and the romantic drama Moulin Rouge!

Sydney Dance Company will be holding auditions on the 29th and 30th March 2020. Applications are open to male and female dancers who are eligible to work in Australia and wish to be considered for a position as part of the Sydney Dance Company ensemble. Successful applicants will be invited to attend via email in mid-February. Applications for the audition close on the 14th February 2020.

In 2020, Sydney Dance Company will explode the everyday and take you into the sublime. This season presents dance at its most radiant, fearless and transformative: dance that will make your heart beat fast and your blood run hot. Sydney Location is the Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay from 21 March — 4 April. The Melbourne Location is at Arts Centre Melbourne 12 — 16 May.

Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney can soon enjoy The Australian Ballet's The Happy Prince. BRISBANE 25 – 29 FEB | MELBOURNE 28 AUG – 5 SEP | SYDNEY 27 NOV – 16 DEC. In 2020 Graeme Murphy, who created The Australian Ballet’s acclaimed modern interpretations of Swan Lake and The Nutcracker, turns his flair for transformative storytelling to Wilde’s moving tale.

Celebrating ten years of diversity, Parramasala returns in 2020 from 13 – 15 March with a jam-packed program of multicultural merriment in Sydney. The largest celebration of cultural diversity in NSW, the three-day extravaganza will transform Parramatta into a vibrant cultural wonderland, brimming with intoxicating sights and sounds.

From vibrant Chinese mythologies, to defiant dance and the freshest kicks, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in NSW (CPAC) injects a shot of culture to kick-start 2020, with an exciting new suite of exhibitions launching in February and it’s FREE!

Australian Dance Theatre, in conjunction with the Adelaide dance community, are delighted to invite you to a special event to support those who have been affected by recent devastating bushfires across South Australia. 100% of proceeds from ticket sales, and all profits from the bar, will go to support the KI Mayoral Relief and Recovery Bushfire Fund and Adelaide Koala Rescue.  The event will be held at The Odeon - 57a Queen Street, Norwood SA 5067.

As West Australian Ballet enter their 27th year performing at City Beach’s Quarry Amphitheatre, three internationally acclaimed choreographers each present works in Light and Shadow: Ballet at the Quarry as a part of Perth Festival for 16 performances from 7 – 29 February.