THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET CINDERELLA 1 B:250 mm T:240 mm S:216 mm Lifting them higher Telstra is supporting the next generation of rising stars through the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award. Telstra and The Australian Ballet, partners since 1984. B:340 mm S:306 mm T:330 mm 2018 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award Winner, Jade Wood | Photographer: Lester Jones 2 THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET 2019 SEASON Telstra_BalletDancerAwards_MainstageProgramAd_121818.indd Project Title: Ballet Dancer Awards Job Number: None E.C.D. C.D. A.C.D A.D. C.W. Client: Telstra Bleed: 250 mm x 340 mm Creative Director: None Media: None Trim 1: 240 mm x 330 mm Art Director: None Copywriter: None Photographer: None Live: 216 mm x 306 mm Art Buyer: None STUDIO PRODUCTION IA PRODUCER ACCOUNT EX. ART BUYER Illustrator: None Gutter: None Studio Artist: Olga Lamm None Insertion Date: None Print Producer: Account Executive: None Publications/Delivery Company: Inks Mainstage Program Ad Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Fonts TELSTRA AKKURAT (REGULAR, LIGHT, BOLD) LINKS: MAY18_TELSTRABALLET_JADE_HERO_0317_VERT_EXT_CMYK.tif (CMYK; 446 ppi; 67.22%), TAB-Telstra-Logo-White.ai (11.8%) FILE IS BUILT AT: 100% THIS PRINT-OUT IS NOT FOR COLOR. 450 West 33rd Street New York, NY 10001 212.946.4000 Round: 1 Version: A 12-18-2018 1:57 PM B:250 mm T:240 mm S:216 mm Lifting them higher Telstra is supporting the next generation of rising stars through the Telstra Ballet Dancer Award. Telstra and The Australian Ballet, partners since 1984. B:340 mm S:306 mm T:330 mm 19 – 28 MARCH 2019 | ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE 2018 Telstra Ballet Dancer Award Winner, Jade Wood | Photographer: Lester Jones Government Lead Principal Partners Partners Partner Ingrid Gow, Amy Harris, Jessica Wood and Leanne Stojmenov. Photography Taylor-Ferné Morris Telstra_BalletDancerAwards_MainstageProgramAd_121818.indd Project Title: Ballet Dancer Awards Job Number: None E.C.D. C.D. A.C.D A.D. C.W. Client: Telstra Bleed: 250 mm x 340 mm Creative Director: None Media: None Trim 1: 240 mm x 330 mm Art Director: None Copywriter: None Photographer: None Live: 216 mm x 306 mm Art Buyer: None STUDIO PRODUCTION IA PRODUCER ACCOUNT EX. ART BUYER Illustrator: None Gutter: None Studio Artist: Olga Lamm None Insertion Date: None Print Producer: Account Executive: None Publications/Delivery Company: Inks Mainstage Program Ad Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Fonts TELSTRA AKKURAT (REGULAR, LIGHT, BOLD) LINKS: MAY18_TELSTRABALLET_JADE_HERO_0317_VERT_EXT_CMYK.tif (CMYK; 446 ppi; 67.22%), TAB-Telstra-Logo-White.ai (11.8%) FILE IS BUILT AT: 100% THIS PRINT-OUT IS NOT FOR COLOR. 450 West 33rd Street New York, NY 10001 212.946.4000 Round: 1 Version: A 12-18-2018 1:57 PM Ako Kondo. Photography Jeff Busby 4 THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET 2019 SEASON NOTE FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Since its premiere in 2013, Alexei Ratmansky's mesmerising production of Cinderella has played to great acclaim, not only around Australia, but in London and Shanghai. It is such a pleasure to bring this magnificent ballet back to Melbourne. Alexei Ratmansky is widely acknowledged to be a genius, and his mastery of storytelling through dance could not be more beautifully represented than in this fabulous production. The memories of working with him on this ballet are treasured by our dancers. He inspired the company not only to dance Cinderella with wit, musicality and precision, but through his choreography and insightful direction he taught us all about the majesty of our profession. The creative team for this work were equally inspiring. The outrageously vivid and imaginative designs of Jérôme Kaplan bring so much to the narrative success of this production. He was such a joy to work with and he had the same impact on the artisans in our wardrobe department, the set builders and the scenic painters as Alexei had on the dancers. Wendall K. Harrington made magic with her extraordinary projections and Rachel Burke painted the stage with glorious lighting. Cinderella has become one of the most requested and beloved ballets in our repertoire and I am sure that for many years to come it will continue to entrance all of us who dream of living ‘happily ever after’. Thank you for joining us in 2019. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by our marvellous Year of Enchantment. David McAllister AM THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET CINDERELLA 5 Dimity Azoury and Cristiano Martino. Photography Daniel Boud 6 THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET 2019 SEASON NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Those of us who were lucky enough to be in Melbourne for the world premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella in 2013 knew instantly that we were seeing the birth of an important new ballet, one that the company would be performing for years to come. The unique and beautiful movement created by the world’s most in-demand classical choreographer, paired with sumptuous sets and costumes by Jérôme Kaplan, made this new production an instant hit with our audiences. Following sold-out seasons all around Australia, and a rapturous response from audiences in Shanghai and London, we are now thrilled to bring Cinderella back to Arts Centre Melbourne, where it had its world premiere. The scope of The Australian Ballet’s activities and our ambitious projects – such as new productions and touring both at home and abroad – can only be achieved with the help of our many generous supporters. As always, we are extremely grateful to our government and corporate partners. The company is generously supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria and the NSW Government through Create NSW. Our Principal Partner Telstra has supported the company for more than 34 years and is a part of our family in every sense. Our Lead Partner Qantas safely carries this busy company wherever we go in style and comfort and Lead Partner Aqualand, the Australian luxury property company, who is a Production Partner for Cinderella, supports our artistic ambitions. We hope you enjoy this exciting and imaginative interpretation of one of the world’s favourite fairytales. Libby Christie THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET CINDERELLA 7 Amber Scott. Photography Lynette Wills 8 THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET 2019 SEASON CINDERELLA Choreography Alexei Ratmansky SYNOPSIS Act III Music Sergei Prokofiev Act I Scene 1 Set and costume design Jérôme Kaplan Scene 1 The Prince is desperate to find his vanished love, and has a succession of women come to his Original lighting design Rachel Burke Cinderella is working hard while her Stepmother palace to try on Cinderella’s slipper. When it fits and Stepsisters are preparing for a magnificent reproduced by Graham Silver none of them, he sets out to travel the world in ball given by the prince of the land. search of her, visiting many lands and encountering Projection design Wendall K. Harrington Cinderella’s Father has fallen on hard times. many temptations. However, he can’t forget He likes to drink with his friends, which makes Cinderella and returns to his kingdom determined Cinderella’s Stepmother angry. She becomes to search every corner of it, although he is fast CHARACTER LIST even more furious when she sees Cinderella losing hope. Cinderella taking a portrait of her dead mother from its hiding place. She destroys the portrait and, Scene 2 The Prince along with Cinderella’s Stepsisters, upbraids Cinderella, returned to her workaday life, treasures the poor girl cruelly. Cinderella’s Stepmother her memories of the enchanted night with the A dance teacher visits to teach the Stepmother Prince, but holds little hope of seeing him again. Skinny Stepsister and Stepsisters graceful steps, and hairdressers The Stepsisters, on the other hand, think they have Dumpy Stepsister arrive to give them splendid styles and help them made a great hit with the Prince, and each dreams on with their finery. Only Cinderella is left out, and excitedly of marrying him. Cinderella’s Father when the Stepmother and Stepsisters set off, she As part of his search, the Prince comes to visit is disconsolate. She takes solace in her dreams, The Fairy Godmother them. The Stepmother and the Stepsisters try imagining she is dancing at the ball. on the slipper, but their feet are too big for it. The Dance Teacher The Fairy Godmother sees her sorrow and Only Cinderella’s foot fits it, and the Prince The Prince’s Footman takes pity on her. Eccentrically disguised and realises she is his love. They are reunited, accompanied by celestial bodies – sun, moon, and embark on their lives together. Ball guests, The Solar System, Father’s friends, planets, stars – she visits Cinderella and transforms The Prince’s friends, Hairdressers, Tempters her rags into a sumptuous ball gown. Before the planets transport her to the ball, the Fairy Godmother warns her not to lose track of time We dedicate this season of Cinderella to Dame – at midnight, the magic will vanish. Margaret Scott, who passed away in February of this year. Dame Margaret was one of the great powerhouses of ballet in this country. She was Act II instrumental in the establishment of The Australian Scene 1 Ballet and was the first director of The Australian Ballet School. During almost three decades in this The Prince’s ball is in full swing, and the whole position, she discovered and nurtured generations court is trying to win his eye, particularly the of talented dancers, many of whom have gone on Stepmother and her daughters. But when to invigorate the art form both here and overseas. Cinderella arrives and encounters the Prince it is love at first sight for both of them. The court She will be sorely missed, and remembered looks on jealously, and all the ladies rush off to with love.