By Rain Francis.

In the Australian Ballet’s 50^th year Dance Informa is celebrating the company by highlighting the Ballet’s Principal Dancers each edition. This edition Dance Informa speaks with two of the company’s leading male dancers, Andrew Killian and Daniel Gaudiello.

Click to catch up on last edition’s interviews with Madeleine Eastoe, Adam Bull and Lana Jones, October’s feature of Lucinda Dunn, Yosvani Ramos and Leanne Stojmenov or September’s feature of Rachel Rawlins, Kevin Jackson and Amber Scott.

Andrew Killian

Born and raised in the suburbs of Melbourne, Andrew Killian says he was never very good at sitting still. Fortunately, for a Principal artist with The Australian Ballet, sitting still is not high on the list of necessary skills.

What’s your first memory of dance, or the first time you knew you wanted to be a dancer?

My earliest memory of dancing is as a child jumping around to my father’s records in the living room at home. When I was in year 11 in high school I really decided I would try to make dance my career.

When did you join The Australian Ballet, and when did you become a Principal artist?

I joined The Australian Ballet in 2000 and did a few years in each of the ranks. I was promoted to Principal artist in March of 2011.

What was your first role as Principal? 

It was opening night of the Sydney season of the triple bill British Liaisons in 2011. I danced Christopher Wheeldon’s After The Rain and Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s Concerto – both are great ballets.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

Apart from having danced in some the greatest cities in the world, I think the moment I’m most proud of was being promoted to Principal artist, with all my family watching. It was something I had wanted for many years. It was so great for my family to share that with me. They have seen the sacrifices that have made it possible.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with, and why?

I have never danced any Forsythe work, that would be a challenge, and I’m looking forward to La Sylphide next year. I think the Australian production of this ballet is so beautiful.

When you are not dancing, what would you prefer to be doing?

I do love to sit on the couch and do nothing when I can, but in my time off I also try to travel. Experiencing other cultures and their history is inspiring.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

That’s a really hard question, because dance has always been my focus. I think I would still be in the theatre, maybe with the circus or something that involves crazy and talented people.

Who is your favourite choreographer?

Jiří Kylián is the master in my eyes, both as a dancer or an audience member.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Being away when there are birthdays and weddings of family and friends – you miss a few of these things when you travel so much.

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

If you love to dance then you are halfway there. You can’t do it without passion.

What do you love most about your job?

I get to travel Australia and the world doing what I love, with beautiful people who have become my second family.

Daniel Gaudiello

In 2003, Brisbane-born Daniel Gaudiello was seconded from The Australian Ballet School to do John Cranko’s Romeo & Juliet. A year later he was accepted into the company. Then, in 2010, he was promoted to Principal artist.  

What’s your first memory of dance, or the first time you knew you wanted to be a dancer?

I remember I went to The Australian Ballet’s production of Madame Butterfly and Divergence. I thought ballet was a bit boring until I saw Divergence and that was the first time I thought about how fun it would be to do ballet! I still love that ballet and it still gives me that feeling.

What was your first role as Principal?

The Silver Rose – and it was the very first three act Principal role I’d ever performed too.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

A career highlight for me was winning the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award in 2007 and an Australian Dance Award for Coppelia, because both times I had my parents in the audience to share my joy and success. They are usually in Brisbane and miss the big nights I have.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with, and why?

The role of Petrouchka was a special time in my career, when I really let my guard down and let the audience see a side of me that I usually have to hide. It was a release for me and an emotional journey I loved putting myself through.

Which roles are high on your wish list?

Albrecht from Giselle, Onegin from Onegin, any spot in Bella Figura would be a gift, and Romeo again and again!

What is something most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

For every up there is a down.

When you are not dancing, what would you prefer to be doing?

Camping on the beach, partying with family and friends or hanging out with my wife [Principal artist Lana Jones] and dogs.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

An actor or marine biologist.

Do you have a favourite TV show?

It has to be the series True Blood. I’m just a little bit nuts about it – ask my wife! It would make a great ballet, ha ha!

Who is your favourite choreographer?

Jiří Kylián, he’s a genius, and Marius Petipa – simply magical choreography. Ballet owes its life to him.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

The politics and breaking down the stereotypes that have been created, to make way for new interpretations of roles.

Do you have a quote that means a lot to you?

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we may as well dance.

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

Always remember who you are and don’t be afraid to create your own path, otherwise you’ll be following others.

What do you love most about your job?

I love that I will never call it a job, more like a hobby on steroids! If it’s a job for you, you are in the wrong place.

Top photo: Andrew Killian as ‘Onegin’ and Madeleine Eastoe as ‘Tatiana’ in The Australian Ballet’s Onegin  Act 1. Photo ©Branco Gaica

By Rain Francis.

In the Australian Ballet’s 50^th year Dance Informa is celebrating the company by highlighting three of the Ballet’s Principal Dancers each edition. This edition Dance Informa speaks with Madeleine Eastoe, Adam Bull and Lana Jones.

Click to catch up on last edition’s interviews with Lucinda Dunn, Yosvani Ramos and Leanne Stojmenov or September’s feature of Rachel Rawlins, Kevin Jackson and Amber Scott.

Madeleine Eastoe

Perth-born Madeleine is one of Australia’s favourite ballerinas. A graduate of The Australian Ballet School, she joined the company in 1997 and was promoted to Principal in 2005. Her first role as principal, and still one of her favourites to dance, is the title role in Giselle.

What’s your first memory of dance?

Forgetting steps on stage, aged six.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

Returning to dance after having my daughter Ella.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with, and why?

Giselle because I’m part mad and crazy!

Which roles are high on your wish list?

Manon and Giselle again.

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

Sometimes, rarely, we blank on stage!

When you are not dancing, what would you prefer to be doing?

Hanging out with my family, practising yoga and riding my bike.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

I’m not sure. I’ll be making that decision in the not too distant future.

Do you have a favourite movie? Or a favourite band?

Movie: Room with a View and High Society

Singer: Jeff Buckley

Who is your favourite choreographer?

It’s too hard to single one out.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Being away from family and the constant maintenance of my body.

Do you have a quote or affirmation that helps you through, or that means a lot to you?

When I first performed Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake with Josh Consandine we were the last cast to go on and because it was such an epic production, rather than practice a specific sequence of steps we had the Nike phrase ‘just do it’, to motivate us.

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

Continue to redevelop yourself and find new ways to challenge yourself as much as possible.

What do you love most about your job?

The performing, characters, time on stage, the creative partnerships and the friends.

Adam Bull

Born and raised in Melbourne, Adam remembers being encouraged to dance by his Grade 1 primary school teacher. Years later, he trained at The Australian Ballet School before joining the company in 2002. Six years later, Adam was promoted to Principal.

What was your first role as principal?

My first principal role was as Colas in La Fille Mal Gardee when I was still in the Corps de Ballet, but my first role as a Principal artist was dancing Grand Pas Classique the night after I was promoted to Principal.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

Dancing Siegfried in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake in New York, Paris, London and Tokyo.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with, and why?

In every role you try to flesh out the character with your own stories and actions, making every role a reflection of some part of yourself.

Which roles are high on your wish list?

I have slowly ticked off all the roles I’ve ever dreamed of dancing: Onegin, Albrecht in Giselle, Des Grieux in Manon. Every role I’ve enjoyed for different reasons.

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

In one day we may be working on up to five different ballets.

When you are not dancing, what would you prefer to be doing?

Snorkeling at Shelley Beach, Manly.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

A presenter on a show like Getaway!

Do you have a favourite book? Movie? TV series?

Book: The Life of Pi and A Fine Balance

Movie: Life is Beautiful, The Piano and Muriel’s Wedding

TV series: Breaking Bad

Who is your favourite choreographer?

Sir Kenneth MacMillian, Wayne McGregor and Graeme Murphy

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Maintaining your body in peak condition 365 days a year.

Do you have a quote or affirmation that helps you through, or that means a lot to you?

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

The quote above has served me well.

What do you love most about your job?

The environment in which I work every day. I’m surrounded by the most talented, inspiring, funny, generous people.

Lana Jones

Born in Canberra, Lana became a Principal artist in 2010, performing the Rose Fairy in Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker. The highlight of her career so far is her most recent role, Odette/Odile in Stephen Baynes’ Swan Lake.

What’s your first memory of dance?

My first memory of dance is more to do with the ballet uniform. I loved the white leotard and lycra white cross over, and of course the little white chiffon skirt. At age five, I felt so the part!

Describe your journey with The Australian Ballet.

I joined The Australian Ballet in 2002 and was gratefully always kept busy and worked really hard at being the best I could be in everything that I danced. It was so exciting when I started getting feature roles and understudying the roles I had always dreamt of dancing, and then eventually performing them. I feel enriched in all the diverse roles I have danced and they have all shaped the dancer I am today.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with?

I think it would have to be Juliet (in Romeo & Juliet) because she is passionate and willing to take chances.

Which roles are high on your wish list?

Manon and Giselle.

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

That you can’t just take a sick day as it will affect at least ten or more people.

When you are not dancing, what would you prefer to be doing?

I love being physical, so being outdoors, maybe at the beach, with my husband and my two dogs.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

Hopefully a photographer or a nurse.

Who is your favourite choreographer?

I adore the classics like John Cranko and Sir Kenneth MacMillian, but Jiří Kylián is also sublime.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

When you are having a really bad show and you have to keep going out on stage when all you want to do is run away.

Do you have a quote or affirmation that helps you through, or that means a lot to you?

Have the confidence to be yourself.

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

Ballet does not come without complete dedication, but if you’re willing and motivated then it definitely has its rewards.

What do you love most about your job?

Transporting audiences to a world where they can escape on a journey with you. I love escaping and telling a story as a character. I also love the physicality of ballet. It’s amazing what our bodies can do!

Top photo: Lana Jones, Rudy Hawkes, Adam Bull and Amber Scott in Gemini, The Australian Ballet. Photo by Jeff Busby.

In the Australian Ballet’s 50^th year Dance Informa is celebrating the company by highlighting three of the Ballet’s Principal Dancers each edition. Learn a little more about Australia’s 12 leading ballet dancers.

By Rain Francis.

Rachel Rawlins

When in her second year at the Australian Ballet School, Rachel Rawlins was invited to be an extra with the company. At the end of that year, she was offered a contract. She was promoted to soloist four years later and then danced with The Royal Ballet in 1999 for two years. On her return, Rachel started to perform more principal roles and was promoted to Principal artist in 2004.

What is your first memory of dance?

I was taken to an Australian Ballet production of Swan Lake in Canberra when I was about five. I think it was this performance that inspired my love and passion to pursue the profession.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

It is a highlight to have joined The Australian Ballet and become a Principal artist. Another career highlight is to have been a First Soloist with The Royal Ballet. International touring is always exciting, and I have danced in Asia, Europe, England and the United States. Being a part of the 12^th World Ballet Festival in Tokyo and watching so many international dancers performing together is a special memory. The ballets I have recently really enjoyed dancing have been Madame Butterfly, The Merry Widow and Onegin.

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

How many ups and downs there can be. Most people wouldn’t realise how long we spend talking about how to improve movements and technique.  Communication is an essential part of putting a ballet together and making partnering secure and smooth.

When you are not dancing, what do you like doing?

I like watching movies, going for walks, bike rides, the beach, spending time with my family and friends. I have two little nephews who are always entertaining.

Do you have a favourite movie?

I love movies. Three which have made an impact on me are In The Name Of The Father, Jesus of Montreal and Gone With The Wind.  At the moment I’m watching Silk and The Tudors.

Who is your favourite choreographer?

I think choreography is the most difficult art and I admire the courage of anyone who attempts it. I’ve just finished Onegin, so John Cranko, because of the three very different beautiful pas de deux for Tatiana.  Last year it was Stanton Welch’s choreography and Robert Curran’s partnering for making me fly in the heart-stopping pas de deux for Madame Butterfly. The Australian Ballet’s dancers are fortunate to have the opportunity to dance so many different works created by Australian and international choreographers.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Not to lose sight of the love for the art form while you are facing your daily difficulties and demons.

Do you have a quote or affirmation that helps you through, or that means a lot to you?

A few years ago I had very sore calves and a really bad flu during a season of Sleeping Beauty. Now whenever I feel a bit sensitive or low I always think, “Well you got through that, so you can get through this”.

What do you love most about your job?

Performing. You can share the experience and give pleasure to other people, while doing something you love to amazing music.

Kevin Jackson

Perth-born Kevin Jackson joined the Australian Ballet in 2003 at age 18. His first big break was performing Balanchine’s Apollo in 2007. He was promoted to Principal artist in 2010, following a performance of The Nutcracker pas de deux with Rachel Rawlins.

When did you know you wanted to be a dancer?

When I was taken to my cousin’s dance school concert in 1989. I sat in the audience and as the lights in the auditorium went down and the overture began a rush of excitement waved through my body. I was completely captivated. I remember sitting there thinking to myself, I want to be up on that stage.

What was your first role as Principal artist?

Zeus in Tim Harbour’s Halcyon, in 2010.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

Performing Prince Ziegfried in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake alongside Madeleine Eastoe and Lucinda Dunn, at opening night of our recent tour to New York City. It was a dream come true to be performing at New York’s famed Lincoln Center.

Which roles are high on your wish list?

Nacho Duato’s Remanso, Albrecht in Giselle and Crown Prince Rudolf in Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling. There are a lot more too!

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

The hours we spend outside of the studio; body conditioning, physiotherapy, full body ice baths. Also eating correctly for optimal energy during shows and the persistent thoughts of repertoire all day, every day, even in your dreams.

When you are not dancing, what do you like doing?

Watching movies with my beautiful partner and renovating our apartment.

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

Most likely an actor, teacher or swimmer.

Do you have a favourite movie or TV series?

Movies – Strictly Ballroom and the new Batman trilogy. My favourite TV series are Family Guy and Modern Family.

Who is your favourite choreographer?

Graeme Murphy has been an incredible mentor and one of the driving forces behind my career so far. I owe a lot to him and Janet Vernon.

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

I dance an incredible number of shows per year. It is a challenge to stay balanced and calm when I’m learning four or five different roles at the same time. Staying mentally and physically fit when traveling for months at a time is extremely challenging too, but also one of the perks!

Do you have a quote or affirmation that helps you through, or that means a lot to you?

Step by step, act by act, show by show and attitude, attitude, attitude.

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

Dance from your heart and people will follow.

What do you love most about your job?

Taking audiences away from their life for a show and transporting them to places like fictional lands, back in time or to an abstract environment. On a more selfish level, inhabiting those places as a dancer is also pretty phenomenal.

Amber Scott

After growing up on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Amber trained at the Australian Ballet School before joining the company in 2001. In 2003 she went on exchange to The Royal Danish Ballet. She was a guest artist on The Dancers Company (the regional touring arm of The Australian Ballet) tours of 2003 and 2004. In 2011 she became a Principal artist.

What was your first role as Principal?

I was promoted after performing the 2^nd Movement from Kenneth MacMillan’s Concerto at the Sydney season of the triple bill British Liaisons in 2011. Concerto was the opening piece in the triple bill so I had the interval to regain composure and then performed Christopher Wheeldon’s After The Rain. So technically, After The Rain was my first performance as a principal artist.

What has been a highlight of your career so far?

There have been so many special moments along the way. I am truly grateful and find it quite hard to choose one in particular. A few highlights are: performing Leigh Rowles’ Ascension alongside my brother in 2003, my first principal role, dancing Odette in Swan Lake when I was 21, performing Manon in 2008 and dancing the role of Tatiana in Onegin this year. Add to that dancing Graeme Murphy’s Odette in Swan Lake in Shanghai, Paris, Tokyo and New York, performing in the Stuttgart Ballet’s 50^th anniversary last year and being promoted to principal artist last year.

Which character in a ballet do you most associate with, and why?

I’m not sure if it’s because I have just played her but Tatiana (in Onegin) felt quite natural for me.  I also feel Odette in Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake will always be an enduring association.

Which roles are high on your wish list?

Odette in the traditional version of Swan Lake, Giselle, Marguerite Gautier in Lady of the Camellias, Nikiya in La Bayadere and Kitri in Don Quixote.

What is something that most people don’t know about the life of a dancer?

We are on tour a lot of the year and can perform as many as 12 different productions a year. It’s also not as glamorous as some people think. After a show it’s usually an ice bucket, back into sneakers and onto public transport!

When you are not dancing, what do you like doing?

I love being outside in fresh air!

If you weren’t a dancer, what would you be?

A paediatrician.

Do you have a favourite book? Movie? TV series? Band?

Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Movie: Stealing Beauty

TV Series: Downton Abbey

Band: The National

Who is your favourite choreographer?

Kenneth MacMillan

What advice can you give to budding dancers?

Be patient with your body and tenacious in your spirit. Work hard but intelligently. Be brave and curious as there is much to be learnt on the road to becoming a professional and that road can get bumpy. Like all worthwhile journeys it’s the unexpected challenges that knit together to form a memorable trip.

Next Edition we will hear from talented dancers Leanne Stojmenov, Yosvani Ramos and Lucinda Dunn.

 

Top photo:  Kevin Jackson and Madeleine Eastoe of The Australian Ballet. Photo by Georges Antoni

Sydney Opera House
May 2012

By Lynne Lancaster.

What a glorious revival of this production by The Australian Ballet! Lavish and spectacular, Onegin showcases some extraordinary choreography and brilliant dancing. The company are in fine form – an excellent way to celebrate their 50^th anniversary this year.

Based on the Pushkin novel, Onegin features stunning opulent sets and costumes as designed by Jurgen Rose. The lacy dripping flowers of Act 2 are exquisite and in the ballroom scene of Act 3, the sleeves of the women’s dresses are like flowers too.

Cranko’s demanding choreography is seamless and in some of the pas de deux, in particular, there are some very difficult lifts and throws. There is lots for the corps to perform with ballroom waltzes and character dancing, but this ballet is mainly a vehicle for the  main characters, with a huge dreamy pas de deux for Tatiana and Onegin in Act 1 and a despairing farewell pas de deux as the climax in Act 3 . Add to this Lensky and Olga with their joyous pas de deux in Act 1, the ballroom flirting in Act 2 and a showpiece pas de deux for Tatiana and her husband Prince Gremin in Act 3.

The bright, joyful character dancing of the corps in Act 1 is contrasted with the agonizing sculptural tableaux for Tatiana and Olga in Act 2 when they beg Lensky to call off the duel.

We see Onegin’s change of heart as brilliantly portrayed by Rudy Hawkes.  In Act 1 he is cold, elegant, aloof, a Byronic /Mr Darcy hero in black, who determinedly breaks Tatiana’s heart by tearing up and returning her letter. He then seeks to cause major mischief by flirting with Olga. In Act 1 there is the wonderful ‘mirror’ pas de deux where Tatiana dreams of him as her hero and lover. In Act 3 the tables are turned and Onegin is an explosive whirlwind of passion, kneeling at Tatiana’s feet, begging for  love and understanding, but alas it is too late.

Our leading lady, Tatiana, was marvellously danced by Rachel Rawlings. We see her develop from a shy, bookish teenager who falls foolishly and passionately in love with Onegin in Act 1, to Act 3 where she has blossomed into an elegant society wife with her doting husband Prince Gremin.

As Lensky, Onegin’s friend and Olga’s fiancée, Ty King-Wall is magnificent – at times jaw-dropping. He has a fabulous long stretched line and wonderful soft ballon. He is all charm and youthful exuberance. The young and happy, deliciously in love pas de deux for Lensky and Olga in Act 1 is delightful.

Olga, Tatiana’s sister, is delightfully danced by Lana Jones. She is more light-hearted and frivolous than Tatiana and does not seem to realise the consequences of her flirtation with Onegin until it is too late. She is exquisite in the Act 1 pas de deux especially.

With the combination of a dramatic love story, Tchaikovsky’s glorious music, lavish, sumptuous sets and costumes, and Cranko’s swooping, expressive choreography terrifically danced, Onegin is a tremendous production that has audiences swooning.