RNZB dancers Katherine Grange and Joseph Skelton in Romeo and Juliet.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet officially launched their 2017 Season yesterday and the photoshoot features lots of beautiful pieces by talented designer Adrian Hailwood. All the female dancers are wearing Hailwood designs some of which we recently saw on the runway at New Zealand Fashion Week 2016 in his stunning Winter 2017 collection. His incredible gold sequinned finale gown appears in an image for the suitably dramatic ballet Carmen. Each of the male dancers were dressed in suiting by David Jones whose Wellington store has been very popular since it opened in July this year. The gorgeous moody shots which perfectly convey the theatrical season to come were shot by Ross Brown with makeup supplied by MAC and hair by Amy McLennan.
2017 will be all about passion and drama for the RNZB who have announced a stellar line up of shows for the year which includes two ballets by Roland Petit, one of the great choreographers of the 20th century; Carmen with L’Arlésienne. Followed by Three by Ekman; Cacti – Tuplet – Episode 31, as it was Alexander Ekman’s Cacti that captivated local audiences during the festival performances of Speed of Light this year. A new version of classic love story Romeo and Juliet (presented by Ryman Healthcare) rounds out the RNZB’s mainstage performances although there will also be a remodelled Tutus on Tour with the company doing 70 performances in 16 cities and towns across its programme for the year.
The RNZB’s Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia is delighted to build on the successes of 2016, which is the first season programmed by him for the RNZB. “Not only does this bold programme celebrate international talents like France’s greatest-ever choreographer Roland Petit and the contemporary genius of Alexander Ekman, it’s also about creating great art here in New Zealand with a new version of Romeo and Juliet. The talented dancers of the RNZB and I look forward to bringing you another year of world class productions. See you at the theatre.”
Artistic Director Francesco Ventriglia (front) and the RNZB company.
Images supplied.