The world-renowned English National Ballet will tour to Australia for an exclusive season in Sydney at the new, The Concourse, Chatswood, from Friday June 8 to Sunday June 17, 2012.

Tickets are already selling fast as dancers and lovers of dance gather to see the company which hasn’t toured to Australia since 2001.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director, Wayne Eagling, this highly respected European company will bring its top soloists and principal artists, presenting a programme suited to young and old in the intimate 500 seat theatre at The Concourse.

The English National Ballet was established in the 1950s and has since emerged as one of the foremost touring companies in Europe. This internationally acclaimed classical ballet company tours both nationally and worldwide. Founded by two British ballet greats Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, the English National Ballet grew out of a series of gala performances. Today, with 67 dancers from 20 different countries, they provide a group of dancers who enrich each repertoire they perform. The original 1950s aspiration for the Company, to take popular ballet to the widest geographical audience at a price they can afford, remains as valid today as when first expressed by the Company’s founders.

English National Ballet's Anais Chalendard and Vadim Muntagirov in Suite en Blanc

Recently the subject of the popular BBC reality series The Agony and the Ecstasy the English National Ballet is enjoying an international recognition unheard of in classical dance circles. And it is not only the public who are supporters of the English National Ballet. The prestigious company has enjoyed the patronage of Diana, Princess of Wales and currently HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York.

The Australian programme, accompanied by a live orchestra, will open with George Balanchine’s neo-classical masterpiece Apollo and close with Serge Lifar’s spectacular bravura piece, Suite en blanc. These two great classics will frame a selection of favourite pas de deux from Manon, Don Quixote or Black Swan, and Trois Gnossiennes, featuring the company’s stars. Set to an Erik Satie solo piano piece, contemporary choreographer Hans Van Manen’s Trois Gnossiennes, will showcase the great finesse, control and superb classical technique of the English National Ballet dancers.

Suite en blanc was described by its choreographer, Serge Lifar, as “a real parade of stars”. A plotless display of classical technique, with strict emphasis on the perfection of line, the ballet was created in 1943 to showcase the virtuosity and elegance of the Paris Opera Ballet. With its white costumes against an inky black setting, the ballet remains a stunning showcase of dance, as glittering and exhilarating as its first performance nearly seven decades ago.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see the English National Ballet. Tickets are now on sale at www.theconcourse.com.au/enb

Top photo: Dancer Anais Chalendard of English National Ballet in Apollo. Photo by Laurent Liotardo.

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – everything dance in Australia – dance auditions, dance news, dance events and resources for dance teachers.

One of the most popular musicals in history, The Lion King, will play at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from December 2013.

The Lion King is a worldwide phenomenon. Since its Broadway premiere on November 13, 1997, 19 productions around the globe have been seen by more than 63 million people and grossed more than $4.7 billion. (See Dance Informa’s review of the Las Vegas production here).

In its 15^th year, The Lion King continues to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.  The Lion King is the seventh longest-running musical in Broadway history and one of only six productions in theatre history to play for ten years or more both on Broadway and in the West End.  The Lion King won six 1998 Tony Awards®:  Best Musical, Best Scenic Design (Richard Hudson), Best Costume Design (Julie Taymor), Best Lighting Design (Donald Holder), Best Choreography (Garth Fagan) and Best Direction of a Musical, making Director Julie Taymor the first woman in theatrical history bestowed with the honour.  The Lion King has also earned more than 70 major arts awards including a Grammy® for Best Musical Show Album and Laurence Olivier Awards for Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

'Lionesses Dance' in The Lion King, Las Vegas. ©2009, Disney. Photos by Joan Marcus

On stage, Taymor’s creative vision blends elements of African art and Broadway artisanship to depict anthropomorphic animal characters.  The Broadway score features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from The Lion King animated film along with many new numbers. The resulting sound of The Lion King is a fusion of Western popular music and the distinctive sounds and rhythms of Africa.

Thomas Schumacher, Producer and President of Disney Theatrical Productions said, “Australia has embraced our Disney stage musicals as warmly as audiences anywhere in the world and we are thrilled that The Lion King is being invited back. We look forward to re-introducing Sydney to Julie Taymor’s singular, captivating vision.”

The Lion King is an established tourism magnet for Sydney.  The last season ran for almost two years and played to 1.35 million people.  NSW Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris said “We wanted to ensure that Sydney would host one of the world’s most enduring musical events.” The 2013 production is expected to attract 50,000 visitors from interstate and overseas generating $36 million in new money for NSW.

Top photo: The opening number ‘The Circle of Life’ from The Lion King, Las Vegas.  ©2009, Disney.  Photo by Joan Marcus.

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – everything dance in Australia – dance news, dance auditions & dance events.

Direct from New York, one of the world’s premier classical Chinese dance companies is proud to present an all new production of Shen Yun. Performed to a live orchestra, Shen Yun dance spectacular highlights a revival of 5,000 years of civilisation from April 27 to May 6 at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.  The show just previously toured to Auckland, Wellington, Canberra and Melbourne.

For 5000 years, China amassed a diverse legacy of heroes, myths and virtues that still resonate in the present. Today, Shen Yun Performing Arts is reviving the world’s most ancient heritage in full colour through dance and music. Shen Yun captures the spirit and grandeur of a culture long lost. The show moves quickly from one story, region and dynasty to the next. Down in the valley, ladies of the Yi ethnic group dance in rainbow skirts by the river. In the heavens, celestial fairies trail silken sleeves through the clouds. Resounding drums awaken the dusty plateaus of the Middle Kingdom.

After watching last year’s performance, Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett said, “It was an extraordinary experience. The level of skill, but also the power of the archetypes and the narratives were startling. And of course it was exquisitely beautiful.”

The Shen Yun Performing Arts presentation of Shen Yun features gorgeous digital backdrops that extend across the full stage, transporting the audience to distant lands and eras. An orchestra, combining Western and Chinese instruments like no other, accompanies the dancers with stirring scores. Dancers fly across the stage in an array of flips, spins, jumps and aerials. The energy of classical Chinese dance is contagious.

The Shen Yun lineup of dance and music has been performed to acclaim in more than 100 cities worldwide. At the core of their performances is classical Chinese dance, but China’s numerous ethnic and folk dance styles round out the evening along with masterful vocalists and musicians.

Experience a blend of energy and grace with Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Capitol Theatre, 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket, Sydney from Friday 27th April to Sunday 6th May. For tickets and information call 1300 723 038 or visit www.ShenYun2012.org.

Published by Dance Informa dance magazine – everything dance in Australia – dance auditions, dance news, dance events and resources for dance teachers.

Following on from a successful inaugural convention in 2009, the 2012 Come Together Dance Teachers Convention will take place in Melbourne this April. The event will be held at Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance.

Throughout the convention there will be specialised workshops, two full days of lectures for teachers, master classes and trade exhibitions.

A huge drawcard at the 2009 Convention was American motivational speaker Rhee Gold. Once again Rhee will be the opening keynote presenter this year and will hold two specialised workshops. “The chance to hear Rhee Gold alone is in itself an opportunity not to be missed”, cited Karen Malek, President of the Australian Teachers of Dancing.  “The tools and practical information Rhee shares in his sessions provides dance teachers with a new framework they can instantly apply to grow and develop their dance businesses.”

Rhee Gold

Marc Brew, Artistic Director of Marc Brew Company and esteemed choreographer will be the closing keynote speaker. Trained at VCASS and The Australian Ballet School, Mark is now based in the UK. Marc will perform during the convention and teach a contemporary master class.

Other master class teachers include Grant Davies, Kelley Abbey, Marco Panzic, Vicki Attard, Etienne Khoo and Christine Denny.

Other speakers include Janet Karin OAM, Wayne Aspinall, Grant Davies, Lisa Howell, Kelley Abbey, Vicki Attard, Lucinda Sharpe, Terrie Wayside and Nick Ilton.

The Teachers Convention will give dance educators a chance to come together with like-minded professionals to share information, ideas and most importantly enjoy the benefit of continuing their professional development.

Come Together Dance Teachers Convention
Jason Coleman’s Ministry of Dance, North Melbourne
Friday 13 – Sunday 15 April 2012
More information can be found at www.atod.net.au/danceconvention

Top photo: Marc Brew

By Rebecca Martin

“With over 20 years of experience behind me I have seen the evolution of dance through the 90′s and the following decade and can honestly say that MBC has evolved faster than I ever would have dreamt. The technique and quality of the dancers do justice to the demanding choreographic works. The dedication and skill of our artistic team, our dancers and, of course, our audience has brought us this far. In order to maintain a high quality of dance and a well earned high profile we now look to New York for dancers with goals and drive, passion and precision and a true adoration of dance.” -Robert C Kelly, Ballet Master/Choreographer

Melbourne Ballet Company is thrilled to be holding its first auditions outside of Australia in 2012.  On January 15^th, Artistic Director Alisa Finney and Principal Dancer Sharon Fernandez will utilize the world famous Ailey Studios on 55^th Street, New York, for its auditions.  Consisting of a classical class, MBC contemporary repertoire workshop, pointe work, and partnering, the audition will put dancers through their paces, ensuring the high standard of performance expected of Melbourne Ballet Company is upheld.  Short-term season contracts will be offered as well as traineeships to young graduate dancers.

Having returned from Las Vegas in August 2010 where Finney and Fernandez were guest lecturers at the Dance Teacher Web Conference & Expo, they realized there was a huge demand from dancers in the US to work with Melbourne Ballet Company.  In addition to interest from American dancers, Australians living abroad were also keen to have the opportunity to dance back home.

Melbourne Ballet Company has previously featured international dancers including Mikhael Plain from California, Shannon Ellis from Canada, three dancers from Paris, two from Italy, two from Japan, three from New Zealand, and one from South America.  The company hopes to take a full season to the US in 2013.

Alisa Finney and the staff at the Gay Wightman School of Ballet in Melbourne will also be taking 100 people to Los Angeles in April 2012 for a 10-day student performance and study tour. The dancers have five performances in venues including Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Universal Studios and Hollywood Boulevard. The students will also be attending Master Classes and workshops at top LA dance institutions.

Alisa Finney in 2007, with resident choreographer Simon Hoy and Principal dancer Sharon Fernandez founded the Melbourne Ballet Company. The team had a vision to create a contemporary ballet company that upheld a commitment to classical technique. Over the past four years the company has presented nine original programs, incorporating over 30 works that have been acclaimed by MBC audiences.

New York Audition
Sunday January 15th 2012, 3pm – 5pm
The Ailey Studios The Joan Weill Centre for Dance
405 West 55th Street New York, NY 10019

Candidates will be auditioned in a classical ballet class, pointe work, partnering and contemporary workshop conducted by Melbourne Ballet Company Artistic Staff. Depending on the number of candidates, there may be more than one class. Candidates will be grouped into classes in order of sign-in. A recall class may follow the initial audition class, and a brief interview with Artistic Staff will also normally be conducted for the final short-list. Audition cost: $30.00 (including GST) payable on the audition day. 

For further information, contact the Artistic Director Alisa Finney on +61450959769 or info@melbourneballetcompany.com.au
www.melbourneballetcompany.com.au

April 8 to 14 2012

Ausdance NSW will present the Australian Youth Dance Festival 2012, hosted at NAISDA, Australia’s National Indigenous Dance Training Institution, situated at Mt Penang Parklands, near Gosford, NSW.  The Festival will be presented during the NSW Easter school holiday period from Sunday 8 April to Saturday 14 April.

Dance to Discover is an exciting week-long dance intensive workshop which provides a unique opportunity for young people to have access to some of the finest dance experiences available in Australia. The AYDF is unique in its structure, and the way in which it allows young people to engage in creative exchange with professional dancers and choreographers, and their peers.  The AYDF takes place in a supportive, non-competitive environment that encourages participation and learning.  The AYDF program includes dance workshops in a wide variety of styles, choreographic activities and performances led by significant Australian professional dance artists.

Choreographic sessions throughout the week will culminate in the creation of a new site-specific dance work, Shades of Us, at Mt Penang Gardens with all participants. The Artistic Director for this work is Rowan Marchingo (NSW), whose national and international professional experience includes performing, choreographing and directing productions that range from large scale site-specific aerial works to intimate works of theatre. The team of choreographers and tutors includes; Philip Channells – Artistic Director Restless Dance Theatre, Vicki Van Hout (NSW), Kay Armstrong – Artistic Director youMove Company (NSW), Lee Pemberton – Artistic Director Fling Physical Theatre and Ingrid Kleinig – Legs on The Wall, with others to be announced.

“The Australian Youth Dance Festival is a fantastic opportunity for young people to engage with professional choreographers over five days of intensive training, creative development and performance. One of the principal aims of the festival is to broaden the experience and knowledge of dance and choreographic practice for young dancers”, says Rowan Marchingo.

For more details and to register visit www.ausdancensw.com.au/Aydf2012RegistrationsOpen/

By Regina Green

Each July, Geelong Dance Network in Victoria holds the Splash!dance Festival, including classes and workshops, showcases, and the Australian Choreographic Competition (ACC). Entrants to the competition compete in two categories – Category 1 (15-19 years) and Category 2 (19 years and over) – for a total prize pool of $4,500.

This year, ACC drew entrants from all over Australia, and one from New Zealand. Unfortunately, due to Tiger Airways cancelling several flights, a number of these participants, including the New Zealand choreographer, were forced to pull out.

The judging panel for this year’s competition included Chairperson Cheryl Brown, Ausdance National Director Julie Dyson and tertiary arts educator and researcher, Rosemary Bennett. For the Category 1 submissions, they were on the lookout for the following criteria: varying use of space (levels and pathways), varying use of time (tempo, rhythm and accent), varying use of energy, complexity of movement vocabulary and a logical development of content. For Category 2, they looked for clarity of intent, originality of movement vocabulary, spatial organisation, complexity of rhythmic range and complexity of dynamic range.

The winner of Category 1 and Category 2 respectively, took home $1,500 and $2,000, while the runner up in each category won $500. The audience also had the chance to vote for their favourite piece. The choreographer with the most votes in each category took home some dance supplies.

Category 1
1^st:  Nicholas Maguire (Victoria)
Runner Up: Miranda Pertzel (New South Wales)
People’s Choice: Brittany Page (Victoria) and Michael Ramsey (Victoria)

Category 2
1^st: Carmelo Mantarro (Victoria) 
Runner Up: Marissa Yeo (Victoria)
Honourable Mention: Erin Tunbridge (Queensland)
People’s Choice: David Denis (New South Wales)

NAB and The Australian Ballet are pleased to launch NAB Dance the Dream for 2011, a program designed to help young Australian dancers realise their potential through access to a unique training and learning opportunity.

Steven Heathcote and Lynette Wills, former principal artists with The Australian Ballet, will host five NAB Dance the Dream workshops for 250 dance students across the country.

In 2011, NAB Dance the Dream will visit Adelaide, Perth, Bendigo, Western Sydney and the Gold Coast and feature a series of master classes hosted by Steven and Lynette followed by a Question & Answer session for students to gain an insight into the life of a professional dancer.

NAB will also provide workshop participants the opportunity to win an exclusive dance experience weekend in Sydney to go behind the scenes and meet dancers from The Australian Ballet following a performance of Romeo & Juliet in December.

As an added incentive, dance schools with the highest number of NAB Dance the Dream entries in each State will win a $500 NAB Community Grant.

Lynette Wills, who has been involved in the program since 2008, said NAB Dance the Dream offered a great opportunity for Australia’s dance community.

“Over the last four years, NAB Dance the Dream has taken ballet off the stage and into many local communities. I am looking forward to working with my former dance partner Steven Heathcote and building on the program’s success in 2011,” said Lynette.

NAB has been a partner of The Australian Ballet for seven years and during this time has invested in various programs to develop local dance communities around Australia. Kevin Ramsdale, NAB’s General Manager Brand & Sponsorship, is delighted with the program’s achievements to date.

“We are extremely proud of our longstanding partnership with The Australian Ballet and our joint commitment to assisting young dancers to reach their potential through NAB Dance the Dream,” said Kevin. “The response to the competition is always overwhelmingly positive and we are pleased to make these types of opportunities a reality for Australia’s dance community,” he said.

Dance students aged between 9 to 16 years are eligible to enter. To enter, visit www.nab.com.au/ballet and in 50 words or less, describe what ‘NAB Dance the Dream’ means to you. Entries open on 18 July 2011 and close on 22 August 2011.

And the winners are…

The winners of this year’s Australian Dance Awards were announced on Sunday July 24 in a ceremony at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

The annual Australian Dance Awards recognise and reward professional Australian dance artists who have made an outstanding contribution to dance in the previous year. The Awards are presented in an evening of performance and celebration that showcases some of Australia’s outstanding dancers and dance works.

Ruth Osborne with two awards! Mark Greenmantle Photography

Ten Awards were given, as well as the special induction of Keith Bain OAM into the Hall of Fame. An outstanding teacher and performer, Keith danced with the Bodenwieser Ballet, founded the Australasian Teachers of Contemporary Dance (CDA), the Society of Dance Artists (SODA), the Dancer’s Picnic (forerunner to the Australian Dance Awards), and is a founding member of Ausdance. Keith is a recipient of two Australian Dance Awards: for Services to Dance Education (2003) and for Lifetime Achievement (1999).  Keith established, and was for many years, head of movement studies at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

The 2011 Australian Dance Awards were held in Queensland for the first time in its 14 year history in Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Playhouse. Featured performances included those from Queensland Ballet, Expressions Dance Company, Dancenorth, Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA), Sydney Dance Company and Sue Peacock with Stefan Karlsson from Western Australia. 

Initiated in 1986 by Keith Bain as a Dancers’ Picnic, the Awards have grown to become the major event in the national dance calendar bringing prestige to nominees and winners alike.

The winners of a 2011 Australian Dance Awards:

Lifetime Achievement
Robina Beard OAM  
Robina Beard was awarded an OAM earlier this year for her services to the arts, particularly through dance, and she has had a long-standing relationship with the Australian Dance Awards, Ausdance and the Cecchetti Society. Robina has excelled in many different roles throughout her life as a dancer, performer, director, choreographer, teacher and advisor. She has been passionately committed to raising the standards of both performance and teaching in this country and has a long-standing commitment to developing and supporting Indigenous dance. She has worked extensively on television in musical, dramatic and comedy series, and was well known for her long-running series of commercials as “Madge” the manicurist for Palmolive dishwashing liquid.

Services to Dance
Ruth Osborne, Artistic Director – QL2 Dance in Canberra

Services to Dance Education
Valda Craig, one of Australia’s leading dance educators and advocates for over 40 years

Outstanding Achievement in Youth or Community Dance
QL2 Dance for Hard Yards

Outstanding Achievement in Choreography
Rafael Bonachela for 6 Breaths [Sydney Dance Company]

Outstanding Performance by a Company
Expressions Dance Company for Where the Heart Is

Outstanding Achievement in Independent Dance
Narelle Benjamin for In Glass

Outstanding Performance by a Female Dancer
Amy Hollingsworth for Irony of Fate [Sydney Dance Company]

Outstanding Performance by a Male Dancer
Daniel Gaudiello for Coppelia [The Australian Ballet]

Outstanding Performance in a Stage Musical
Alinta Chidzey for West Side Story

Dance Informa was the proud Major Media Sponsor for the 2011 Australian Dance Awards.

Top photo: Queensland Ballet Hungarian Overture. Photo by Mark Greenmantle

The ever-popular Broadway musical Annie will light up Sydney’s Lyric Theatre from 29 December in an exciting new production produced John Frost. Returning to the role of New York ‘zillionaire’ Daddy Warbucks will be one of Australia’s greatest theatrical talents, Anthony Warlow, fresh from his success in the title role of the World Premiere of Doctor Zhivago. Show business legend Nancye Hayes will play the tyrannical Miss Hannigan who runs the orphanage where Annie begins her journey. This is the third Australian production of Annie that Nancye has been involved with, having played Lily St Regis in the original production and been Assistant Choreographer for the second.

Joining Nancye as her scurrilous brother Rooster Hannigan is television and stage favourite Todd McKenney (The Boy From Oz, Dancing With the Stars). Playing Rooster’s “lady friend” Lily St Regis and Warbucks’ secretary Grace Farrell will be two leading ladies of musical theatre, Chloe Dallimore (The Producers) and Julie Goodwin (West Side Story) respectively. Making his musical theatre debut in the role of President Roosevelt (FDR) will be radio veteran Alan Jones.

Anthony Warlow as Daddy Warbucks

Announcing his all-star cast, Producer John Frost said, “I’m often asked when Annie will return to the stage, and I’m thrilled that for this new production we have the A-list of Australian musical theatre talent – Anthony Warlow reprising one of his favourite roles, Nancye Hayes putting her mark on the role of the mean Miss Hannigan, and Todd McKenney, Chloe Dallimore and Julia Goodwin who are the cream of Australian talent. And I know Alan Jones will surprise everyone in his musical theatre debut. Our production team is top quality as well – director Karen Johnson-Mortimer, choreographer Kelly Akers and musical director Peter Casey. You can bet your bottom dollar Annie will be a hit again in 2012!”

NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said, “Over the coming years, Sydney will play host to a number of musicals, many of which will have their Australian and World Premiere season in Sydney and many of which will be produced by John Frost. Today we add another musical to the list, the Australian premiere season of Annie and making his musical theatre debut in the role of Franklin D Roosevelt will be Alan Jones. I’m sure his listeners will be the first in line,” Mr O’Farrell said. “In the last month we have announced that Sydney was chosen for the Australian Premiere of The Addams Family and the World Premiere of Strictly Ballroom. This is in addition to the recent highly successful first run of Doctor Zhivago, as well as Legally Blonde opening in Australia in June 2012”, he said.

Based on the popular Harold Gray comic strip “Little Orphan Annie”, the musical Annie burst into popularity in 1977 when it opened on Broadway. After running there for nearly six years, it has played in over 22 countries worldwide including the UK, Argentina, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Australia. Annie became a smash-hit movie musical in 1982 starring Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney and Carol Burnett that is adored worldwide and a fixture of popular culture references.

Annie first toured Australia from 1978 with a cast that included Jill Perryman, Hayes Gordon, Kevin Johnson, Nancye Hayes and Anne Grigg. Annie returned to the Australia stage in 2000 produced by John Frost starring Anthony Warlow, Amanda Muggleton, Jane Scali, Philip Gould and Angela Kelly. For this production, Annie’s lyricist and original Broadway director Martin Charnin wrote a new song for Anthony Warlow to sing in the show, an unprecedented honour for Warlow.

Annie is full of toe-tapping hits such as It’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, NYC, Maybe and everyone’s favourite song – Tomorrow. These wonderful songs have become staples of musical theatre repertoires worldwide and now, 34 years on, it remains one of the most loved and universally appealing musicals of all time.

Annie
Lyric Theatre, Star City From December 29
Bookings 1300 795 267 or ticketmaster.com.au