Australian Ballet postpones remainder of Melbourne season

Artistic director David Hallberg says the decision is disappointing for the dancers and for audiences.

The Australian Ballet production of Anna Karenina. Picture: Jeff Busby

The Australian Ballet has postponed the remainder of this year’s Melbourne season, ­including local premieres of Harlequinade and Anna Kar­enina, due to the uncertainty about Covid restrictions.

The company was to open with performances of Romeo and Juliet on August 27, which would have been its homecoming to Arts Centre Melbourne after almost 18 months of cancelled performances.

Melbourne’s extended lockdown and uncertainty about possible future restrictions have affected many arts and entertainment companies, including Melbourne Theatre Company and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

On Wednesday, Australian Ballet management announced the decision to postpone 44 Melbourne performances until next year. “Unfortunately, the Australian Ballet cannot continue to prepare for seasons that are unlikely to proceed, or perform in theatres with restricted ­capacity,” executive director Libby Christie said.

“We depend on ticket sales for over 60 per cent of our annual income. The board and management have agreed that in these uncertain times the company needs to preserve our financial resources and support our ­dancers and staff so that we are in good shape and can return to the stage when vaccination rates are high and Covid restrictions have eased.”

The national ballet company had budgeted this year on the ­assumption of reduced theatre capacity of 50 per cent, and was expecting to post a deficit. Ticket revenue last year shrank from ­almost $32m in 2019 to just $1.2m, according to the company’s financial statements.

Artistic director David Hallberg said it was a difficult decision to postpone the performances. “The dancers have rehearsed to the highest standards for many weeks and it’s disappointing that the continuing uncertainty of lockdowns and restricted theatre capacities mean we will not be able to return to the stage and our very loyal audiences in the coming months,” he said.

The decision affects performances of Romeo and Juliet, Harlequinade, Dance­X and Anna Karenina. A decision about the summer Sydney season will be made next month.