The Australian Ballet is returning to Brisbane for the first time since the pandemic with Swan Lake

Covid and scheduling problems have kept The Australian Ballet away from Brisbane for a couple of years but the good news is they are finally coming back in 2023 with Swan Lake.

It’s the good news ballet fans have been waiting for – The Australian Ballet will return to Brisbane in 2023 as part of its 60th anniversary season. Coming hot on the heels of the news that Hamilton is also coming next year, it is amazing news for theatregoers.

For many years our national company was an annual visitor but the Covid-19 pandemic and scheduling issues meant no visit this year and missed opportunities before then. But The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David Hallberg says the company was determined to get here next year and that he can’t wait.

The ballet comes to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in South Brisbane from October 24 to 28, 2023.

The Australian Ballet’s artistic director David Hallberg with principal artist Robyn Hendricks, (left) and Queenslander, Benedicte Bemet, (right). Both are scheduled to star in Swan Lake in Brisbane next year as part of the company’s 60th anniversary season. Picture: John Feder

Hallberg, an American who has been a major ballet star in his own right, has performed here with the company in The Sleeping Beauty some years ago and also with Teatro alla Scala’s ballet company when they came here from Italy in 2019 for the QPAC International Series.

“So I know that there is a really devoted audience in Queensland,” Hallberg says.

“I know Brisbane well and interestingly the audiences there remind me of American audiences. They are engaged and very vocal about what they like. I’m specifically thinking of Southern Californian audiences who are happy and joyful and bring that energy into the theatre. Maybe it’s the sunshine.”

Revealing the company’s program for 2023 Thursday, Hallberg outlined a schedule that includes Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote, Frederick Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand and George Balanchine’s Jewels, which was performed in Brisbane by the Bolshoi Ballet in 2019.

Principal artist Robyn Hendricks will star in The Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake in Brisbane in 2023. Picture: Supplied

“It’s time that we brought jewels into the repertoire,” he said.

But the jewel in his crown for 2023 will be Anne Woolliams’ Swan Lake.

“It’s no doubt the most famous of all ballets,” Hallberg says.

“And rightfully so. It’s such a beautiful classic. With our new Swan Lake I have tried to find a balance between the timelessness and heritage but making sure it has a fresh feel and we can do that with lighting, sets and costumes.”

Queensland will have its own star in the production, Benedicte Bemet, who was born in Mackay and raised on the Gold Coast and in Hong Kong before relocating to Melbourne to go to The Australian Ballet School at 14.

Mackay-born dancer Benedicte Bemet has been appointed as a principal artist with The Australian Ballet. She stars in the company's new production The Happy Prince. Picture: The Australian Ballet

Bemet, who is now a principal artist with the company, says she is “excited to come home after such a long time.”

“I know there is such a supportive ballet community in Queensland,” she says. “It’s going to be great to share what we have been working on. Swan Lake is an iconic masterpiece, the epitome of classical ballet and it’s such a privilege to be able to take that back to my home state.”

David Hallberg says if you can’t wait til next year, you’re welcome to go to Sydney or Melbourne to see productions there to warm up for Swan Lake.

Tickets go on sale on November 29 but you can sign up to a waitlist at australianballet.com.au