Hollywood royalty in audience for return of Queensland Ballet
In a triumphant return, Queensland Ballet dancers took to the stage on the weekend - with some very high profile names in the audience to watch their first performance since COVID-19 hit.
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It was inspiring to see Queensland Ballet’s dancers creating and performing works online during the lockdown. But nothing could compare to the excitement of seeing some of those works come to the stage on the weekend.
Lights On: Queensland Ballet at Brisbane Powerhouse was a triumph and opening night was as close to a glittering affair as we’ve had in the arts recently.
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QB’s patron, Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey and wife Kaye were there along with a host of other guests and sponsors.
You couldn’t wipe the smile off artistic director Li Cunxin’s face and he made an impassioned speech thanking everyone for coughing up funds to help the company through the hard times.
Mind you Saturday night’s show was just as glittering with some special guests including the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and film director Baz Luhrmann with his Elvis biopic star Austin Butler. Skroo and Jude Turner were also there on Saturday night.
As a thank you on opening night gorgeous red roses were placed on guests tables in the cabaret style setting of the Powerhouse Theatre care of corporate partner Maison Fleur. The program featured those new works created in isolation under the banner 60 Dancers: 60 Stories.
The theme of all works (which can still be viewed online on the company’s website) is love and the dancers showed how much they love their work in some stunning performances that were at times ecstatic, at other times, funny with plenty of laughs from a group of dancers who seemed to be really enjoying being back where they belong – on stage.
Dancers featured included Laura Hidalgo, Patricio Reve, Lucy Green, Paige Rochester who got to dance with boyfriend Mali Comlecki, among others.
The weekend shows were sold out and the company will be performing at HOTA on the Gold Coast in the coming weeks but those shows are sold out too.
The ballet’s 2020 program was postponed until next year but there will some little treats in store before 2021 including some Queensland Ballet pop up performances as part of Brisbane Festival next month. The company will be taking part in the Street Serenades program and could turn up in your suburb for an impromptu ballet performance on a mobile stage.