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Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Giselle

Went to the performance of Giselle by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and adored it, so why not promote?


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Royal New Zealand Ballet enewsletter
 
Dear Supporters,

After 18 months of preparation, The TelstraClear Season of Giselle opened to a rapturous reception at the St James Theatre last Wednesday evening.

There was an extraordinary atmosphere in the theatre, and we felt privileged to be able to share the production with such an enthusiastic audience.

If you saw the show in Wellington, we hope you enjoyed it – spread the word! We have another 17 performances to look forward to around New Zealand.

With best wishes from us all,

Amanda, Ethan and everyone at the RNZB

Here’s what some of the critics have been saying:

Dominion Post

Dancelines (Australia)

Lucire

NZ Theatreview

Dancetabs (UK)

And if you’d like a sneak peek at the production, here’s our latest backstage video.

We’re on the road!

As we write, our technical crew are on their second full day of work in Christchurch, transforming the CBS Arena into a theatre for our performances on 15, 16 and 17 November. The rigging needed is akin to that required for most rock concerts, and the set up will take twice as long as in any other venue. The dancers arrive this afternoon and are all incredibly excited to be returning to Christchurch for the first time this year.

The following week, we’re further south, with two shows in Invercargill (20 and 21 November) and two in Dunedin (24 – 25 November). Then it’s back up to Auckland, Rotorua and Napier before ending the tour at Palmerston North’s Regent on Broadway on 12 December.

Casting information

Latest casting information is posted online at nzballet.org.nz/gisellecasting. Three couples (Gillian Murphy and Qi Huan, Antonia Hewitt and Andrew Bowman and Lucy Green and Kohei Iwamoto) performed the leading roles of Giselle and Albrecht in Wellington; remarkably, only Qi Huan had danced his role before.

There has been a real buzz about all three casts, with Gillian and Qi described as ‘utterly riveting and beautifully matched’ by UK dance magazine DanceTabs. In the same review, critic Raewyn Whyte praised Andrew Bowman’s ‘soaring leaps and sure partnering’, together with Antonia Hewitt’s technical command ‘… clean and sure, her balances well-sustained, spins and leaps perfectly pitched and her characterization is subtly nuanced, compelling to watch.’

It has been a real pleasure to have two such distinguished guest artists performing with the RNZB – and we are especially pleased that Andrew Bowman has had such a wonderful ‘homecoming’ with the company. For more background on this great New Zealand dancer, see this recent feature interview in The Listener.

Giselle merchandise – Friends’ sales tables

You can help our fabulous Friends support the RNZB by doing some of your Christmas shopping at our Friends’ sales tables in Christchurch, Auckland, Napier and Palmerston North. Stocking fillers for ballet lovers include Giselle magnets, badges and posters, plus RNZB tote bags, T-shirts and lots of other goodies. Our Friends are all volunteers and will be delighted to answer any questions that you might have about becoming a Friend.

Giselle on film

You may already have caught up with the exciting news that Giselle is being made into a feature film, directed by award-winning New Zealand director Toa Fraser and produced by Matthew Metcalfe, with the support of the New Zealand Film Commission. Although some footage will be captured at performances, the dancers will be returning to Wellington at the conclusion of the Giselle tour for extra filming at the St James Theatre.

They’ll have two weeks off for Christmas, and then it’s back to work on 3 January to start rehearsals for Made to Move: three brand new ballets created by Javier de Frutos, Andrew Simmonds and Ethan Stiefel.

Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet – Auckland Cocktail Party, Wednesday 28 November

Friends, supporters and ballet lovers are warmly invited to join the Auckland branch of the Friends of the RNZB for their annual fundraising cocktail party in aid of the RNZB. This year’s event will be held at the Northern Club, and the guest speaker will be Gillian Murphy. Tickets are $50 and are now on sale, for further information or to book please contact Christine Savory  on (09) 575 5984 or Andrea Watson on (09) 525 9118.

A pre-Christmas treat from our friends at Nautilus

Nautilus Estate of Marlborough is proud to support the Royal New Zealand Ballet and especially to ‘partner’ dancer Antonia Hewitt, currently giving memorable performances in the title role of Giselle.

To celebrate Giselle, and looking ahead to Christmas, our friends at Nautilus have kindly donated six three-bottle cases of their delicious Nautilus CuvĂ©e Brut NV – the perfect wine to enjoy over the holiday period. This delicious sparkling wine is made from 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay in the ‘traditional method’ that was first developed in Champagne. Nautilus Cuvee Brut NV is aged for a minimum of three years, giving it depth, richness and intensity.

We have six prizes of three-bottle packs of Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV to give away to lucky ballet fans around New Zealand. To be in to win simply email info@nzballet.org.nz with your name, delivery address and a daytime phone number, with 'Nautilus' in the subject line. Entries close next Friday, 23 November.

Enjoy Nautilus Estate responsibly. You must be 18 years or over to enter.

The TelstraClear Season of Giselle


Christchurch - CBS Arena
15 - 17 November 2012
Booking Details

Invercargill - Civic Theatre
20 - 21 November 2012
Booking Details

Dunedin - Regent Theatre
Featuring the Southern Sinfonia
24 - 25 November 2012
Booking Details

Auckland - ASB Theatre
Featuring the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
29 November - 2 December 2012
Booking Details

Rotorua - Civic Theatre
5 December 2012
Booking Details

Napier - Municipal Theatre
8 - 9 December 2012
Booking Details

Palmerston North - Regent on Broadway
12 December 2012
Booking Details
Our mailing address is:
Royal New Zealand Ballet
PO Box 27050
Wellington, New Zealand 6141


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