MADE TO MOVE

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET (AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND)

Choreographers: Javier de Frutos, Andrew Simmons and Ethan Stiefel

Friday 8 March - Sunday 10 March, 2013

Aotea Centre, Auckland

Wednesday 13 March - Thursday 14 March, 2013

Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE

Three world premieres will be performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) as the first dance work in the Auckland Arts Festival 2013 programme. Made to Move will showcase both the talent of New Zealand's acclaimed national ballet company, and internationally and locally recognised choreographers Javier du Frutos, Andrew Simmons and Ethan Stiefel.

"Auckland is a key focus for us and so we are thrilled to be a part of the Auckland Arts Festival and to present this triple bill on the festival's opening weekend. We are delighted to be performing six shows in two venues across the city and delivering some wonderful education activities in this flagship arts event." says Amanda Skoog, RNZB's Managing Director.

"Presenting three new pieces as varied in style, as they are in their influence, Made to Move will take Auckland audiences on what I hope will be an exciting journey. In addition to creating my own original work, I'm pleased to welcome back former RNZB dancer turned choreographer Andrew Simmons and world renowned choreographer Javier de Frutos," says Ethan Stiefel, Artistic Director, RNZB.

Pasifika flavour

Venezuelan choreographer Javier de Frutos, choreographer of the RNZB's award-winning Milagros (2003), The Celebrated Soubrette (2004) and Banderillero (2006) creates a new piece inspired by the Pacific. In the ten years since he first worked with the RNZB, De Frutos has continued to make dance works to both critical and popular acclaim around the world. His choreography for the 2007 West End production of Cabaret received an Olivier Award, London theatre's highest accolade, and his recent collaboration with Pet Shop Boys, The Most Incredible Thing, enjoyed two sell-out seasons at London's Sadler's Wells. He continues to challenge the boundaries between the worlds of ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Young New Zealand choreographic talent

Former RNZB dancer Andrew Simmons, Christchurch-born and now living and working in Dresden, creates the eagerly-awaited follow-up to 2010's haunting A Song in the Dark, a hit with audiences around New Zealand and with dance lovers in the UK and France on the company's 2011 tour. Drawing on New Zealand's wide open landscapes and set to the gentle minimalism of music by Dustin O'Halloran, Ludovico Einaudi and Olafur Arnalds, this new work promises to be a very special experience for dancers and audience alike.

A love of beer

RNZB Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel creates his first original work for the company, a spirited comedy set in a Bavarian beer hall. Expect laughter, Lederhosen and virtuoso technique, as the whole company take up their steins and whirl away to the waltzes and polkas of Johann Strauss II.

Founded in 1953, the Royal New Zealand Ballet is an intrinsic part of New Zealand's national heritage, and has the largest following of all New Zealand performing arts companies. The RNZB enjoys a reputation for strong and unique interpretations of full-length dramatic works. To this base have been added the masterworks and major ballets of the 20th century, such as Balanchine's works and the Stravinsky ballets, and the company has an enviable track record in commissioning new works from New Zealand and international choreographers. The RNZB regularly represents New Zealand on the international stage, with recent tours to the UK, Australia and China.

www.aaf.co.nz

The Royal New Zealand Ballet's triple bills have traditionally been an opportunity to serve up something meaty, new, avant-garde, something to chew on. - NZ Herald

SEASON DETAILS

Show Made to Move

Season Details

Aotea Centre

DATES Friday  8 March, 7.30pm; Saturday 9 March, 1.30pm & 7.30pm; Sunday 10 March, 6.30pm

TICKETS Premium $78 / Child $45; A Res $60 / Child $35; B Res $50 / Child $25; C Res $40 / Child $25; D Res $30 / Child $25

BOOK AT THE EDGE www.buytickets.co.nz / 09 357 3355 / 0800 289 842

Bruce Mason Centre

DATES Wednesday 13 March - Thursday 14 March, 7.30pm

TICKETS Premium $65 / Child $45; A Res $48 / Child $35

BOOK AT Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.nz / 09 970 9700 / 0800 111 999

Duration 2hr approx incl two intervals

Information www.aaf.co.nz or www.nzballet.org.nz

Social Media Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival  or facebook.com/nzballet

Twitter: @Aklfestival  or @nzballet

Media enquiries

Sally-ann Moffat on (04) 381 9002, 021 2 44 44 50 or sally-ann@nzballet.org.nz

Festival enquiries

Siobhan Waterhouse on (09) 374 0317, 022 126  4149 or siobhan.waterhouse@aucklandfestival.co.nz

CREATIVE CREDITS

Javier de Frutos' work: costume design by Javier de Frutos

Andrew Simmons' work: costume design by Kate Venables

Ethan Stiefel's work: set and costume design by Allan Lees

Lighting design for all three works: Jason Morphett

With support from the Ministry for Culture and Heritage