Summer Season 2019

Following Australian Government decisions that have many arts professionals concerned about the sector’s future, the young artists of The Australian Ballet School offer some hope. 100 performers delivered the annual Summer Season, a timely reminder of the local talent being brewed, and the importance of not letting it go cold.

Margaret Wilson’s Journey opened the show. Wilson is one of the leading contemporary choreographers and teachers in the country and did not disappoint. The emotion-charged piece featured an all-male pas-de-deux section and a male/female partnership with thrilling lifts. Level 4 students presented Simon Dow’s Con Brio, followed by a pas-de-trois by three very young and highly talented dancers not yet en pointe.

Richard House’s Sketch Tone, performed by the Level 5 students, featured four particularly strong young male dancers. In a true test of professionalism, last-minute issues with licencing and illness meant the performance of George Balanchine’s Who Cares? had to be cancelled. Leigh Rowles’ La Tarantella Italiana was performed instead. The fast-paced, jovial piece was challenging but well-executed by the Level 7 and 8 dancers.

Sleeping Beauty Act III, ‘Aurora’s Wedding’was meant to be the first act, but became a satisfying closing. The Level 7 and graduating Level 8 class gave a delightful performance. It was easy to see why Belle Urwin and Adam Elmes were chosen as Aurora and the Prince, both executing the challenging roles with grace and athleticism. Heidi Freeman and Thomas Gannon gave a joyous presentation of Princess Florine and the Bluebird, and Brianna McAllen and Benjamin Garrett as White Cat and Puss in Boots were highly entertaining and expressive, despite their entire faces being covered by their cat masks.

It was a delight to see both contemporary and classical pieces performed together. As the graduates head off to take up professional ballet contracts, the show represents a rare occasion when Australia’s future ballet stars dance all together. I look forward to seeing many of them in future productions.

Sophia Dickinson

Image: Aurora's Wedding - Photographer: Sergey Konstantinov.