25 August 2009

Angelina Ballerina makes her Brisbane debut.

“It’s enough to tickle almost anyone’s inner child.” The Times “Angelina has her paws full with difficulties, drama and gently comic moments. This prettiest of pink productions… hook small children into the ballet dream” The Guardian

Much to the delight of young princesses everywhere, a remarkable little mouse named will make her Brisbane debut at the Playhouse, QPAC from 19 to 23 January, 2010.

Performed by 8 dancers from the world-renowned English National Ballet, Angelina’s Star Performance is the perfect introduction for children to the magical world of ballet.

Based on the hugely popular children’s book Angelina at the Palace created by author Katherine Holabird and illustrator Helen Craig, Angelina’s Star Performance is the story of a remarkable little mouse who dreams of becoming a prima ballerina.

When Queen Seriphina requests a special mouselings’ ballet at the palace, Angelina decides to stage The Sleeping Beauty, the most royal ballet of them all. It’s Angelina's biggest challenge yet… will she manage to pull it off?

Winner of the 2008 Dance Europe Award for Outstanding Company, English National Ballet toured Australia in 2002 with Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet. In January 2009 they performed Angelina Ballerina’s Star Performance to sold-out houses at the State Theatre of the Victorian Arts Centre, selling over 30,000 in one week.

A highlight of QPAC’s Holiday Hits program for children and families, this magical introduction to ballet is a rare chance for young fans to see Angelina Ballerina dance her pirouettes and grand jetés live on stage! …2

QPAC presents Angelina’s Star Performance (suitable for 3-8 years)

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: Antony Dowson Costume: Wizzy Shawyer Set design: Al Riches.

When Tuesday 19 January 1.30pm and 4.30pm Wednesday 20 January 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm Thursday 21 January 10.30am, 1.30pm Friday 22 January 10.30am, 1.30pm Saturday 23 January 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm

Tickets (inc. fees) All tickets $35.00

Bookings www.qtix.com.au or 136 246

Duration 1 hour and 15 minutes (inc. 20 min interval)

Media enquiries: Cindy Ullrich Publicity Manager QPAC ph: 3840 7589 mob 0434-366-038 [email protected] or Inga Tracey Publicity Coordinator, QPAC ph: 3840-7984 or [email protected]

…3 English National Ballet

Founded in 1950, the English National Ballet is one of the world’s great classical ballet companies touring nationally and internationally from its studio base in London.

In recent years the company has toured extensively and performed at the Palace of Versailles and at ‘Concert for Diana’ in Wembley Stadium. In 2010 the English National Ballet will represent the UK at the Shanghai Expo.

The original aspiration for the Company - to take popular ballet to the widest geographical audience at a price everyone can afford - remains as valid today as it was when first expressed by the Company’s founders more than 50 years ago. www.ballet.org.uk.

Angelina Ballerina

Created by author and illustrator Helen Craig, Angelina Ballerina is a fictional mouse who features in a popular series of children's books. The first book in the series was published in 1982, and there have been more than twenty books in the series since.

In 2002, an animated TV series based on the books was produced by HIT Entertainment in the United Kingdom. The series featured actress Finty Williams as the voice of Angelina, and her mother Judi Dench as Miss Lilly. The series aired on PBS in the United States and can currently be seen on Nick Jr., PBS Kids Sprout and ABC2 and in Australia - Monday to Friday at 3.40pm on ABC1. www.angelinaballerina.com