Dancing Through Time – The History Of The Australian Ballet

From first steps to grand performances, the Australian Ballet has been delighting

audiences with their powerful and magnificent performances for more than 60 years.

In 1962, British born ballerina, choreographer, teacher and director, Peggy Van

Praagh, came to Australia to hold nationwide auditions for dancers, to establish a

new ballet company. In September of that year, 46 successful dancers began

rehearsals at their East Melbourne studios, a place they would call home until they

had a venue especially built for them in Southbank in 1988. Just two months later the

Company premiers Swan Lake at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Sydney.

Shortly after, they premier their first commissioned work – a real Australiana piece,

titled ‘Melbourne Cup’, featuring ballerinas as horses.

Before the end of their first year, ballet superstar Rudolf Nureyev arrives at the ballet

studios to take classes and perform in the Company, with one of his most famous

roles being Basilio in Don Quixote.

In 1963, the Australian Ballet embark on the first of what would be many tours

around the world, performing four repertoires including Swan Lake and Les

Sylphides across all of New Zealand. In the same year, the Australian Ballet School

opens, where over time, many of the Company’s dancers will graduate from.

Two years later the Australian Ballet take on their first international tour across

London, Paris, Berlin, Lebanon, Hawaii and Los Angeles, performing Nureyev’s

version of ‘Ramonda.’

By the end of the first decade, the Australian Ballet had added 38 ballets to their

repertoire.

During its 64 years, the Australian Ballet has performed many memorable

performances in both classical and contemporary, often incorporating local culture

and landscapes into its choreography, reflecting Australian life, history, culture and

environment.

In 1992, Nutcracker – The Story Of Clara, an adaptation of The Nutcracker by

choreographer Graeme Murphy, was a significant work, as he turned it into a story

about migration and a women’s voyage to Australia.

The Australian Ballet comprises of 70-80 dancers and is recognised as one of the

world’s major internation ballet companies and each year, performing over 200

shows, travelling interstate and overseas.

This year the Australian Ballet have a tour to the USA, and national tours including

to some rural areas with The Nutcracker Act II and other works. Ballet fans can also

enjoy Romeo and Juliet, Copeland Dance Episodes, and the picture perfect

Nutcracker. To top the year off, families can enjoy Cinderella; an interactive

Storytime ballet experience.