Ballet comes out of isolation
IT WAS inspiring to see Queensland Ballet’s dancers creating and performing works online during the lockdown.
But nothing could compare with the excitement of seeing some of those works come to the stage on the weekend.
Lights On: Queensland Ballet at Brisbane Powerhouse was a triumph and opening night was as close to a glittering affair as we’ve ve had in the arts recently.
QB’s patron, on, Queensland Govvernor Paul de e Jersey and wife e Kaye were there, , along with a host st of other guests sts and sponsors. You couldn’t wipe the he smile off artistic director Li Cunxin’s face and he made an impassioned speech thanking everyone for coughing up funds to help the company through the hard times.
Saturday night’s show was just as glittering with some special guests, including Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and film director Baz Luhrmann with his Elvis biopic star Austin Butler (inset). Skroo and Jude Turner were also there.
As a thank-you on opening night, gorgeous red roses were placed on guests’ tables in the cabaret-style setting of the Powerhouse Theatre, care of corporate partner Maison Fleur. The program featured those new works created in isolation under the banner 60 Dancers: 60 Stories.
The theme of all works (which can still be viewed online on the company’s website) is love and the dancers showed how much they love their work in some stunning performances that were at times ecstatic, at other times, funny with plenty of laughs from a group of dance dancers who seemed to be really enjoying bei being back where th they belong – on s stage.
Dancers feat tured included L Laura Hidalgo, Patric ricio Reve, Lucy Gree Green, and Paige Rochester who danced with boyfriend Mali Comlecki, among others.
The weekend shows were sold out and the company will be performing at HOTA on the Gold Coast in the coming weeks, but those shows are sold out too.
The ballet’s 2020 program was postponed until next year, but there will be some treats in store before 2021, including some Queensland Ballet popup performances as part of Brisbane Festival next month.
The company will take part in the Street Serenades program and could turn up in your suburb for an impromptu ballet performance on a mobile stage. Keep your eyes peeled!