1. art and entertainment
2. dance
3. ballet

THE
AUSTRALIAN
BALLET
IN CHINA
1
AUSTRALI A’S NATI ONAL
DA NCE COMPANY
The Australian Ballet is Australia’s national dance company, presenting
approximately 200 live performances to 270,000 people each year.
It regularly performs in all Australian capital cities and
has an extensive regional and international touring program.
A recent study by Newspoll found that The Australian Ballet is the
most recognised performing arts company in Australia.
2
IN TE R N ATI ONAL TOURI NG:
IT’ S I N OUR BLOOD
The Australian Ballet has a long history of high profile
international touring, visiting 37 countries and 87 cities
since it was founded in 1962.
The company has developed a global reputation for
technical excellence, versatility and dramatic flair.
3
Artists of The Australian Ballet meet
performers from the Chinese Opera during
the 1980 tour.
THE AU STRALI AN BALLET
AND CHI NA
The Australian Ballet’s relationship with China stretches back to 1980
when the company first toured to the region.
Since then, the Ballet has regularly returned to perform across the
country and has developed strong relationships with resident ballet
companies by establishing important exchange programs for dancers
and those working behind-the-scenes in the industry.
The Australian Ballet’s presence in China has been strongly supported
by government and the corporate sector for many years.
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THE AU STRALI AN BALLET
A N D CHI NA 2015 TOUR
In October 2015 The Australian Ballet has been invited to perform in Beijing
and Shanghai at two important and prestigious festivals, giving the company the
opportunity to represent Australia at the highest level, and providing our partners
a unique platform to develop their profile and contacts in this key economic and
political region.
Performance details:
NATIONAL CENTRE FOR PERFORMING ARTS, BEIJING
(opening program of the NCP Dance Festival)
Friday 16th October
Mixed programme including resident choreographer
Stephen Baynes’s acclaimed Unspoken Dialogues
Saturday 17th October
Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake
Sunday 18th October
Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake
SHANGHAI GRAND THEATRE
(Shanghai International Arts Festival)
Friday 23rd October:
Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella
Saturday 24th October:
Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella
Sunday 25th October:
Mixed programme including resident choreographer
Stephen Baynes’s acclaimed Unspoken Dialogues
The tour will be The Australian Ballet’s major international activity for 2015 and
a significant undertaking. Our touring party of 115 will include all the dancers of
The Australian Ballet, artistic staff, medical, technical, production and support
teams and touring two full scale productions, plus a mixed program, will involve
transporting 12 sea containers of production sets and costumes.
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G RA EM E M U RP HY’ S
SWAN L A K E
Choreography Graeme Murphy
Creative Associate Janet Vernon
Music Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and Costume Design Kristian
Fredrikson
Lighting Design Damien Cooper
Number of dancers Approximately 61
Length 171 minutes (2 intervals / 4 acts)
In 2001 The Australian Ballet’s newly
appointed Artistic Director, David McAllister,
approached one of Australia’s greatest
choreographers, Graeme Murphy, to create
a new version of Swan Lake. The production
became an instant smash hit and a calling
card both at home and abroad.
One of Murphy’s great strengths as a
choreographer is retelling traditional stories
with a twist. Since its premiere, this version of
Swan Lake has been acclaimed by audiences
and critics in London, Cardiff, Manchester,
Paris, Shanghai, Tokyo, Nagoya and New
York.
Murphy’s Swan Lake was produced to mark
the company’s 40th anniversary in 2002.
Since then, it has been performed over 170
times to a domestic audience of 220,000
people and has grossed more than $14.2
million at the box office.
THE STORY
Murphy’s Swan Lake follows the fortunes of
Odette who is betrothed to Prince Siegfried,
yet she is deeply apprehensive about his
relationship with the Baroness von Rothbart.
It’s not until after the wedding that the
true nature of Siegfried and the Baroness’
relationship becomes clear, causing Odette
such distress that by royal command she
is committed to a sanatorium. There she
finds comfort and escape amongst serene
white swans in a frozen dream world. Critics
worldwide have picked up on more than a
hint of another world-famous royal ménage
à trois, finding several parallels in this story
of adultery, personality disorders and the
betrayal of innocence.
Swan Lake is undoubtedly one of ballet’s
most iconic narratives. The creative team –
Murphy, his wife and creative associate Janet
Vernon, and long-time collaborator Kristian
Fredrikson – sought to give relevance to
the often implausible story while retaining
an intrinsic magic. Murphy’s choreography
dramatically communicates the passion and
emotion of betrayal and unrequited love.
Helping Murphy to realise his unique vision
is the sumptuous set and costume design by
Fredrikson. A designer of vivid imagination
and scope, New Zealand-born Fredrikson
(1940 – 2005) enjoyed a long career at the
forefront of Australian design. His awardwinning creations spanned ballet, opera,
theatre, film and television.
AWARDS
Winner, Best Foreign Dance Company UK
Critics’ Circle Awards 2005
Winner of four Helpmann Awards in 2003
Winner of four Green Room Awards 2003
Winner, Mo Award 2003
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AL E X EI R AT MA N SKY ’ S
C INDE R EL L A
Choreography Alexei Ratmansky
Music Sergei Prokofiev
Set and Costume Design Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting Design Rachel Burke
Projection Design Wendall K. Harrington
Number of dancers Approximately 41
Length 154 minutes (2 intervals / 3 acts)
In 2013, Artistic Director David McAllister
commissioned the world’s most sought-after
choreographer, Alexei Ratmansky, to create
a new Cinderella for The Australian Ballet.
Its world premiere season sold out across
Australia.
Cinderella is the first full-length work
Ratmansky has created for an Australian
company and the second time he has worked
with The Australian Ballet. This Cinderella
is brilliantly re-imagined: Ratmansky
unleashed his considerable narrative talents
on a sublime story ballet, to take audiences
on a journey to 20th-century Russia and
into an abandoned theatre where this
unconventional fairy-tale is set.
On working with the dancers of The
Australian Ballet to create Cinderella,
Ratmansky says: “There is definitely
something Australian about the way they
dance. Really strong. The dancers are alive.
At the same time they’re precise, well placed,
musical. There’s something sunny about
them.”
Ratmansky teamed up with award-winning
French designer Jérôme Kaplan to realise his
spectacular vision for Cinderella. The duo has
previously worked together on Het Nationale
Ballet’s Don Quixote and the world premiere
of Lost Illusions at Bolshoi; the latter won
Kaplan a Golden Mask Award for Best
Costume Design.
THE STORY
Cinderella works away while her tempestuous
Stepmother and Stepsisters prepare for the
royal ball. As she dreams of dancing with
the Prince, an eccentrically disguised Fairy
Godmother revolutionises Cinderella’s rags
into a magnificent ball gown – forget the
pumpkin and the mice, planets, moons and
stars accompany Cinderella to the ball.
Captivated from the moment Cinderella
enters the room, the Prince only has eyes for
his mysterious muse. A tick of the clock and
one lost slipper later, the handsome Prince
must embark on a world-wide journey to find
his lost love, visiting many lands teeming with
temptations before he is reunited with her.
AWARDS
Winner of three Green Room Awards 2013
7
Artist of The Australian Ballet
David McAllister (now Artistic
Director) visits the Great Wall
of China during the 1993 tour.
T HE AU ST R A L I AN
BA L L ET A N D C H I NA:
A T I ME L I N E
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T HE AU ST R ALIA N
BA L L ET AN D C HIN A :
A TIMELINE
1980
LOCATION
Beijing, Shanghai
PERFORMANCES 6
SUPPORTED BY
Australia-China Council
Department of Foreign
Affairs
PRESENTED BY
China Performing
Company
1987
LOCATION
Beijing, Guangzhou
PERFORMANCES 8
SUPPORTED BY
Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade
ALUVIC
Australian National Line
(ANL)
Qantas Airways
Ken Done & Associates
Port of Melbourne
Authority
CRA Limited
OTC Australia
1987
The Australian Ballet was the first major ballet company to tour to China since the
Cultural Revolution.
Vice-Premiere Li Xiannian and the Minister of Culture Huang Zhen attended
performances and a live telecast attracted a television audience of some 200 million
people throughout the country.
This visit aimed to further the agreement for cultural cooperation between the
Chinese and Australian Governments.
“For more than a decade the friendly relations between the peoples of Australia and
China have continued to grow stronger, and the role of cultural exchange in promoting
mutual understanding has been of major significance.”
Then Prime Minister of Australia, Bob Hawke
COLLABORATIONS
CENTRAL BALLET OF CHINA:
Australian Ballet principal artists David Ashmole and Christine Walsh performed as
guest artists with the Central Ballet of China following the The Australian Ballet’s tour.
SHENYANG COMPANY:
David Ashmole and Christine Walsh also performed as guest artists with the Shenyang
Company following The Australian Ballet’s tour.
In addition, Australian Ballet dancers Fiona Tonkin, Paul de Mason and Adam
Marchant performed as guests at a gala performance in Shanghai.
CENTRAL BALLET OF CHINA:
principal artists Tang Min and Zhang Weiqiang from the Central Ballet of China
performed as guests with The Australian Ballet in Sydney
BEIJING ACADEMY:
Acclaimed ballet teacher Wang Jiahong travelled to Australia to work with The
Australian Ballet dancers in the studios.
1993
LOCATION
Beijing
PERFORMANCES 3
PRESENTED BY
China Performing Arts
Agency
SUPPORTED BY
Australia-China Council
Australian National Line
(ANL)
Qantas
BHP
Telstra
The Australian Ballet’s return to Asia came at a time of considerable focus on
Australia’s relationship with the region. The company worked with diplomatic
missions, trade representatives and commercial corporations to deliver a cultural
ambassadorship that displayed some of the best attributes Australia has to offer –
energy, enthusiasm and a resource of talent.
“The Australian Ballet is one of Australia’s foremost cultural ambassadors, having built
a strong international reputation over the past 30 years.”
Then Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating
“The return tour of China by The Australian Ballet has brought to the Chinese people
not only consummate artistry but also profound friendship… It is my firm belief that
the repertoire for this visit will certainly be enjoyed and welcomed by the Chinese
audience, thus making new contributions to cultural exchanges between China and
Australia.”
Then Deputy Minister, Ministry of Culture, The People’s Republic of China, Liu Deyou
1996
LOCATION
Beijing, Shanghai
PERFORMANCES 5
SUPPORTED BY
Australia-China Council
Australian National Line
(ANL)
ANZ Bank
BP Australia
Colonial Mutual Group
Faulding
‘K’ Line
Queensland Sugar
Corporation
Sydney Myer Fund
Myer Foundation
By 1996, The Australian Ballet had truly cemented its relationship with China. As then
General Manager Ian McRae stated, “we are now regarded as old friends and were
welcomed by audiences and officials in Beijing and Shanghai”.
“The company’s … tour of Asia … reinforces its reputation as one of Australia’s
premier cultural ambassadors.”
Then Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard
“The Australian Ballet’s enduring reputation as one of the world’s finest and most
innovative dance companies reinforces the necessity for the company to tour the
globe.
It is essential for the dancers and the people who see them perform.”
Then Acting Chairman of The Australia-China Council, Stuart Simson
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T HE AU ST R ALIA N
BA L L ET AN D C HIN A :
A TIMELINE
1999 LOCATION
Shanghai
PERFORMANCES 4
PRESENTED BY
Shanghai Grand Theatre
2001
LOCATION
Nanjing, Shanghai,
Beijing
PERFORMANCES 7
PRESENTED BY
Shanghai Grand Theatre
(Shanghai)
China Performing Arts
Agency (Beijing)
SUPPORTED BY
Australia-China Council
CMG Asia
The Hour Glass Limited
‘K’ Line
RMIT
SUPPORTED BY
The Australia-China
Council
Telstra
China-Eastern Air
BHP
Australia LNG
‘K’ Line
2004
2006
LOCATION
Shanghai
PERFORMANCES 3
PRESENTED BY
Renaissance Hotels and
Resorts and Shanghai
Grand Theatre
2012
2013 The Australian Ballet performed in Shanghai’s new Grand Theatre for the first time in
1999.
2001 marked the first visit by The Australian Ballet to Nanjing.
“As [Australia and China] approach the 30th anniversary of the establishment of
diplomatic relations in 1972, the cultural relationship may be characterised as richer
and more varied than ever. The Australian Ballet, of course, is one of the jewels in the
celebration of the cultural relationship.”
Then Australian Ambassador in China, David Irvine
COLLABORATIONS
SHANGHAI BALLET: Principal Artist with the Shanghai Ballet Fan Xiaofeng performed
as a guest artist with The Australian Ballet in a tribute season to George Balanchine.
SUPPORTED BY
Victorian Government
Australia-China Council
BHP Billiton China
‘K’ Line
Telstra
Janz Tasmania
The Australian Ballet employed Chinese-born and trained concertmaster Sun Yi
as part of the 2006 tour to Shanghai, providing valuable translation and cultural
knowledge in the orchestra pit.
SUPPORTED BY
Australia-China Council
Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade
Joan & Peter Clemenger
Trust
COLLABORATIONS
NATIONAL BALLET OF CHINA: The Australian Ballet celebrated its 50th Anniversary
with a major gala season in Melbourne full of international ballet stars. Zhu Yan and
Sun Ruichen from the National Ballet of China performed the Act II pas de deux from
Giselle to critical acclaim.
COLLABORATIONS
CCTV: Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet David McAllister was invited to judge a
major ballet competition for the national Chinese broadcaster CCTV in Beijing.
NATIONAL BALLET OF CHINA: Australian Ballet principal artists Amber Scott and
Adam Bull performed in Beijing with the National Ballet of China in celebration of the
60th anniversary of Tianqiao Theatre.
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Artist of The Australian Ballet
Chengwu Guo.
STR O N G L I N KS
O N T H E STAGE
The Australia Ballet prides
itself on showcasing the
truly multicultural make-up
of our country with many
different nationalities –
including Chinese – within
our dancer ranks.
CHENGWU GUO
LI CUNXIN
CHENGWU GUO The Australian Ballet’s
youngest principal artist, Chengwu Guo, grew
up in China and trained at the Beijing Dance
Academy. He received a full scholarship to
complete his ballet training at the prestigious
Prix de Lausanne Competition in Switzerland.
He chose to take up the scholarship at The
Australian Ballet School and was accepted
into The Australian Ballet in 2008. In 2009 he
starred in the movie Mao’s Last Dancer, playing
the teenage Li Cunxin and in the same year he
returned to China and won the Chinese version
of the popular TV series So You Think You Can
Dance. He was the first male dancer to win both
the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award and People’s
Choice Award in 2011 and was promoted to
principal artist in 2013.
JIA YIN DU
LI CUNXIN Former principal artist Li Cunxin
grew up in China before moving to America
to dance with Houston Ballet. He joined The
Australian Ballet as a principal artist in 1995 and
retired in 1999. Li’s ballet journey was portrayed
in the movie Mao’s Last Dancer, directed by
Bruce Beresford.
JIA YIN DU Former Coryphée Jai Yin Du
trained with Liao Lin in China before joining
the Australian Ballet School. He joined The
Australian Ballet in 2000 and now owns his
own ballet school in Melbourne.
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THE FUTURE
The Australian Ballet is proud of its strong history with China,
built up over 34 years of collaborations.
Our future relationship is an exciting one and we look forward
to consolidating and expanding these connections with our partners
in China when we return with this major tour to Beijing and
Shanghai in October 2015.
Artists of The Australian Ballet in
Alexei Ratmansky’s acclaimed Cinderella.
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Artist of The Australian Ballet
Vivienne Wong.
CON TAC T
PRUE VERCOE
Public Relations Manager
T/F: 03 9669 2778
M: 0428 135 546
E: pruev@australianballet.com.au