MEDIA BACKGROUNDER – RNZB 2012 SEASONS

NYC New Young Classic

An opportunity to enjoy contrasting ballets conceived and created in City. From works by the city’s hottest young choreographers, Larry Keigwin and Benjamin Millepied, to a Balanchine classic inspired by Gershwin’s legendary songs, this exceptional programme will excite audiences throughout New Zealand.

29 February – 30 March

Auckland, Takapuna, Hamilton, Ashburton, Dunedin, Wellington, Napier

Who Cares? choreography George Balanchine staging Sandra Jennings music George Gershwin music arrangement Hershy Kay lighting Nigel Percy

28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini choreography Benjamin Millepied staging John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow music Johannes Brahms lighting Nigel Percy

New work by Larry Keigwin choreography Larry Keigwin music Adam Crystal lighting Nigel Percy

The TOWER Season of Cinderella

Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella returns to our stage in August. Acclaimed New Zealand designer Tracy Grant Lord’s sumptuous costumes and lavish sets draw you into a glittering fantasy world.

2 August – 9 September

Wellington, Invercargill, Dunedin, Napier, Palmerston North, Takapuna, Auckland choreography Christopher Hampson music Sergei Prokofiev set & costume design Tracy Grant Lord lighting Nick Schlieper The TelstraClear Season of

A new staging of this quintessential ballet is co-produced by Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg, internationally acclaimed principal dancer of . , RNZB Principal Guest Artist and star of , dances Giselle, one of the most dramatic roles in the classical ballet repertoire.

7 November – 12 December

Wellington, Christchurch, Invercargill, Dunedin, Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Palmerston North production Johan Kobborg and Ethan Stiefel choreography Johan Kobborg and Ethan Stiefel after Marius Petipa music Adolphe Adam set design Howard Jones costume design Natasha Stewart

The Meridian Season of Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition

Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to be performing this enchanting production, originally created by English National Ballet, throughout the country between March and May. choreography Antony Dowson guest repetiteur Laura Hussey music arrangement Gavin Sutherland set design Alan Riches costume design Wizzy Shawyer lighting David Richardson

18 March – 6 May

Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Rotorua ,Tauranga, Whangarei, Hamilton, Napier, Hastings, Auckland, Takapuna, Wellington, Blenheim, Ashburton, Invercargill, Dunedin, Timaru.

For further information, interviews or images contact: Julia Hughes, Marketing and Media Coordinator l [email protected] l 027 699 1850

SUPPORTED BY NATIONAL SPONSOR INCOMING NATIONAL SPONSOR JULY 2012

SEASON DATES 2012

NYC New Young Classic

Auckland 29 Feb – 3 March The Civic Takapuna 6 & 7 March Bruce Mason Centre Hamilton 10 & 11 March Founders Theatre Ashburton 14 & 15 March Ashburton Trust Event Centre Dunedin 18 March The Regent Theatre Wellington 22 – 25 March St James Theatre Napier 29 & 30 March Napier Municipal Theatre

The TOWER Season of Cinderella

Wellington 2 – 5 & 8 – 11 August St James Theatre Invercargill 14 & 15 August Civic Theatre Dunedin 18 & 19 August The Regent Theatre Napier 23 - 25 August Napier Municipal Theatre Palmerston North 28 & 29 August The Regent on Broadway Takapuna 1 & 2 September Bruce Mason Centre Auckland 5 – 9 September ASB Theatre

The TelstraClear Season of Giselle

Wellington 7 – 11 November St James Theatre Christchurch 15 – 17 November CBS Arena Invercargill 20 & 21 November The Civic Theatre Dunedin 24 & 25 November The Regent Theatre Auckland 29 Nov – 2 December ASB Theatre Rotorua 5 December Civic Theatre Napier 8 & 9 December Napier Municipal Theatre Palmerston North 12 December The Regent on Broadway

The Meridian Season of Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition

Palmerston North 18 March The Regent on Broadway New Plymouth 21 March TSB Showplace Rotorua 23 March Civic Theatre Tauranga 25 March Baycourt Theatre Whangarei 28 March Forum North Captaine Bougainville Theatre Hamilton 31 March & 1 April Founders Theatre Napier 4 April Napier Municipal Theatre Hastings 6 April Hawkes Bay Opera House Auckland 11 – 13 April ASB Theatre Takapuna 15 April Bruce Mason Centre Wellington 19 – 21 April St James Theatre Blenheim 24 April The Marlborough Civic Theatre Ashburton 28 & 29 April Ashburton Trust Event Centre Invercargill 2 May Civic Theatre Dunedin 4 May The Regent Theatre Timaru 6 May Theatre Royal