Artistic Director David McAllister said, "Over the past three years the international profile of the company has been cemented on the world stage. The benefits of this are not only for our international audiences, but also our audiences at home, who enjoy the confidence and artistic development gained by the dancers with this global exposure."
The Australian Ballet is also proud to be taking contemporary Australian indigenous dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre to Paris and London for 8 performances of Stephen Page's Rites. Rites features dancers from both companies in an arousing piece of dance theatre set to Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. The company will begin the tour at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on 29 September, opening with a compelling double bill featuring Rites alongside a brand-new interpretation of Symphonie Fantastique from acclaimed Polish choreographer Krzysztof Pastor, and followed by the French debut of Graeme Murphy's Swan Lake.
One of the company's most successful productions of all time – Graeme Murphy's multiple award-winning Swan Lake is a powerful interpretation of the iconic ballet. The production has been greeted with rapturous standing ovations and critical acclaim in London, Cardiff, Shanghai and Tokyo resulting in the company receiving the 2005 UK Critics' Circle Award for 'Best Foreign Dance Company'.
The Australian Ballet last toured Paris 43 years ago in 1965 with a mixed bill and Raymonda starring Ballet dance legends Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev. In London the company will present a double bill at Sadler's Wells featuring Rites accompanied for five performances by legendary Russian choreographer Leonide Massine's best known work: Les Présages.
The Australian Ballet will finish the tour in Manchester with Graeme Murphy's production of Swan Lake at The Lowry, an architectual flagship theatre located in a stunning waterside location. Generous support from the supporter groups and private benefactors have contributed $480,000 towards the 2008 international tour, including The Australian Ballet Endowment's International Fund, The Australian Ballet Society, SA Friends of The Australian Ballet and a leadership gift of $200,000 from the NSW Friends of The Australian Ballet. -- www.australianballet.com.au
