A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT 2019 was a very important year for Ballet Ireland both artistically and financially. Support from the Arts Council increased which is a reflection of our achievements and ambition. The company enjoyed huge artistic success with our spring season of Bold Moves. This was truly an exciting and groundbreaking programme for the company. “Minus 16” is a stunning work by internationally acclaimed choreographer Ohad Naharin whose work had never been mounted by an Irish company before. The audiences were on their feet night after night and the company simply adored dancing his work. Alongside “Minus 16” was “Lost” by Ludovic Ondiviela, a delicate and ethereal ballet previously commissioned by the company in 2015. Ballet Ireland champions young choreographic talent and for our first ever ‘Curtain Raiser’ we presented “Us” a piece by Zoë Ashe-Browne. This was a great success and indeed, went on later in the year to be performed at the Business to Arts Awards at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre. A fantastic platform for an emerging and very talented choreographic voice. A very important development for Ballet Ireland was the securing of our first major corporate sponsorship. In November EY partnered with Ballet Ireland as a sponsor for our autumn season of Swan Lake. This was a very important moment for the company and we are proud to be associated with EY. Corporate Sponsorship is crucially important to the Arts and not only provides additional financial income, but also strengthens brand profile and activation when it comes to public awareness and promotion. We hope this relationship will continue for many years to come. In April we were devastated by the sudden passing of the Artistic Director of Irish National Youth Ballet, Katherine Lewis. For many years, we worked closely with Katherine when students from INYB performed alongside the Ballet Ireland at the Gaiety Theatre in our production of Nutcracker. Indeed, Katherine was a personal friend and colleague going back many years. She is a huge loss to the ballet world in Ireland and to all of the young talent that she nurtured over the years at the helm of INYB. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. Stephen Brennan continues to lead our very broad Education and Outreach Programme. This includes our Schools Programme, Summer Schools and a number of other workshops conducted in association with the current season being performed by the company. We were delighted to announce that our Deis Schools Programme is being supported by a very generous donation from the charity Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus. We are so grateful to have this very important strand of our education work selected for support over the next three years. Ballet Ireland performed well at the Box Office in 2019 finishing the year with a small surplus. Box Office revenue is volatile and varies from year to year. I am delighted to report that the surplus achieved in 2018 was maintained and we aim to continue building our reserves to a prudent level. Ballet is a precarious and expensive business and we are fortunate to have a Board of Directors with integrity and expertise that steers the company’s financial sustainability. The passion of our Chair Gerardine Connolly has been an inspiration and I am delighted to see the company thrive under her steady hand. In July we said goodbye to Board member Paul Johnson who stepped down, we thank him for his contribution to Ballet Ireland. The performances that the public sees onstage are the culmination of the efforts of many people; from the talented dancers themselves, to the outstanding creative teams and choreographers that make the work, and the dedicated professionals behind the scenes. Many people have a stake in the success of Ballet Ireland including our audiences, our supporters and indeed, past members of the company. We are a people business first and foremost, and we thank all of those who support us. ANNE MAHER BALLET IRELAND, DIRECTOR B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 1 2 0 1 9 T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W In 2019, Ballet Ireland was delighted to be celebrating 21 years. The company continued to tour its productions to large-scale theatres in Dublin and regional theatres throughout Ireland, North and South. Giving our audiences across the country the opportunity to access, enjoy and be inspired by professional ballet. Ballet Ireland is a champion of cultivating future talent and during the school year, the company’s Education Officer worked with Primary Schools throughout Dublin, enhancing the current school curriculum and enabling pupils to experience new opportunities in order to widen their artistic exposure. Ballet Ireland is Ireland’s only professional ballet company, bringing new narrative-led ballets to Irish audiences. To date, Ballet Ireland has mounted over 30 seasons of work, and their activities have had a profound impact on the landscape of ballet and the Arts in Ireland. B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 2 FUNDRAISING LUNCHEON 2019 Summary On Friday 29th March 2019, we held our second Annual Fundraising Luncheon at the Merrion, Dublin. This philanthropic occasion raised vital funds for Ballet Ireland, and offered guests an opportunity to celebrate the Company on the occasion of our 21st anniversary, its extraordinary dancers, and all the generous patrons who support the Ballet. We were delighted with the response, especially with all tickets being sold-out within the first week of release. Our guest of honour, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D., gave a rousing and insightful speech. This was followed by an elegant seated luncheon and featured a short performance by Ballet Ireland’s dancers. A magnificent raffle was held with prizes which included, among others, a Perry Ogden limited print, a set of Boodles diamond earrings, and Paula Rowan leather gloves for each table. All proceeds went towards main stage performances, community outreach and education programmes. B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 3 N U M B E R S : We managed to raise €14,364 B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 4 BOLD MOVES Summary In March 2019, Ballet Ireland presented a triple-bill of contemporary work which featured choreography by Ohad Naharin, Ludovic Ondiviela and Zoë Ashe-Browne. We were thrilled to be the first Irish dance company to ever present the work of internationally renowned choreographer Ohad Naharin and Minus 16 is perhaps his most popular work. Alongside Minus 16, the company welcomed the return to the repertoire of Lost by Ludovic Ondiviela who also created Giselle for the company. Finally, we were very pleased to give Zoë Ashe-Browne the opportunity to present a short piece - Us. Ten years ago, Zoe joined the company as a dancer in her first professional engagement. We were delighted to present the first commission of her emerging choreographic voice - an exciting start to her burgeoning career as a choreographer. Bold Moves maps a path by Ballet Ireland which unites innovation and tradition by commissioning and presenting works by iconic and hugely talented choreographers. TOUR DATES: O'Reilly Theatre, Dublin Friday 22nd - Saturday 30th March MINUS 16 Choreography: Ohad Naharin Lighting: Avi Yona Bueno Music: Various artists LOST US Choreography: Ludovic Ondiviela Choreography: Zoë Ashe-Browne Lighting: Paul Keogan Lighting: Paul Keogan Music: Various artists Music: Various artists B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 5 AUDIENCE NUMBERS: Bold Moves was seen by 1,213 audience members. PRESS: ★★★★ 4 stars: “Ballet Ireland scores a coup with heart-pounding performance of Minus 16 …they move in such heart-pounding, foot-thumping unison their intensity proves as satisfying to watch as the more refined and thoughtful steps later on.” Christie Seaver, The Irish Times B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 6 IRISH BALLET FORUM Summary In July 2019, Irish Ballet Forum hosted their Summer Intensive at DanceHouse in association with Ballet Ireland. IBF is a unique Summer Intensive providing students with the training required for ballet dancers of today. Students trained with world renowned tutors in ballet, pointe work, ballet and contemporary repertoire. The week concluded with a performance for friends, family and dance teachers. PARTICIPATION NUMBERS: 46 students took part. B A L L E T I R E L A N D | A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 9 P A G E 7 WORLD BALLET DAY 2019 Summary On Wednesday 23 October 2019, Ballet Ireland and other ballet companies all over the world offered a unique glimpse behind the scenes with live-streamed rehearsals via Facebook and YouTube.