The RNZB’s much anticipated season has been cancelled due to increasing COVID cases within the company
The epic Venus Rising ballet season is over before it even had the opportunity to soar.
Just when we thought life was slowly getting back to something approaching normal, it seems that another layer of COVID-impacted events is grinding to a halt. The latest to suffer is the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) much-anticipated Venus Rising show.
Plagued by ongoing postponements and cancellations over the last three years, despite finally holding its world premiere season in Wellington, followed by one show in Christchurch, it appears that the run is over almost before it started.
The RNZB has announced the ultimate cancellation of the Auckland season of Venus Rising due to increasing COVID cases within the company.
“This beautiful production, which we had to postpone three times and cancel, now, twice, has taken us on a journey,” says RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker.
“We were determined to get it on stage, and we did that in the world premiere season in Wellington and for one special show in Christchurch. Despite having their hearts broken every time, we had to push it back when the occasion finally arrived, the dancers danced their hearts out in a world-class performance.
“We have gone through every possible scenario in making our Auckland season happen but, as of today, we do not have enough dancers to present all three performances. Some might say
Venus Rising was never meant to be, but the company, and we’re sure those who were lucky enough to see it, would disagree. It is a trio of ballets that each stole our hearts and, right now, mine is filled with appreciation for the whole company’s, but especially the dancers’, strength and resilience over the past three years.”
Acting Executive Director Dame Kerry Prendergast says, “We send our collective aroha to everyone involved, especially the dancers, and to our audiences for their patience and support. We will cherish the memories of the magical Venus Rising moments on stage in the last two weeks. May the dancers who are unwell recover quickly and may everyone have a safe and happy Christmas.”
Ticket holders for the 8, 9, and 10 December shows at the Kiri Te Kanawa Theatre in Tāmaki Makaurau will be contacted directly to obtain a refund.
The RNZB will return in February, refreshed and revitalised, travelling to 11 theatres across the country, from Whangārei to Ashburton, with Tutus on Tour 2023 – a 70th-anniversary celebration.
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