Now and Again
19 May 2003
2003 has been an innovative year for the West Australian Ballet, with new Artistic Director Simon Dow leading the company in several world premieres in a matter of months. The second offering for this year is Then & Now, a season designed to celebrate the energy and diversity for which the company is known.
Then & Now comprises four unique ballets, accompanied by the talented West Australian Symphony Orchestra. From Askhat Galiamov, creator of the acclaimed Don Quixote Suite, comes Le Corsaire Variations - exquisite highlights from a classical masterpiece set to the magnificent score of Adolphe Adam and others. The Variations is a celebration of the skill, beauty and elegance of classical ballet, and features stunning costumes created by the award-winning Anna French, one of Australia’s most distinguished costume designers for ballet.
Next on the program is The Collector, Natalie Weir’s observation of an obsession, inspired by the novel by John Fowles (The French Lieutenant’s Woman). Natalie has recently created ballets for American Ballet Theatre, Hong Kong Ballet and The Australian Ballet.
Beethoven's 8th Symphony provides the springboard for a fun look at the games we play throughout life in Ludwig’s Games. The four movements of the Symphony are interpreted through dance as the stages of childhood, adolescence, middle age and old age.
Finally, the Ballet helps the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in their continuing 75th anniversary celebrations. WASO have commissioned James Ledger to compose a new piece for a collaboration with Simon Dow. The result is Fall from Grace, a poignant and haunting piece inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Euridyce, as Orpheus attempts to bring his beloved back from Hades to the upper world.
More Information
Then & Now
23 May – 7 June
His Majesty’s Theatre with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Perth
Bookings: (08) 9484 1133
Website: http://www.waballet.com.au/
