The Australian Ballet opens London season at Royal Opera House

The Australian Ballet is performing at the Royal Opera House for the first time in 35 years, in a tour to mark the company’s 60th anniversary.

Australian Ballet dancers, from left, Ako Kondo, Brett Chynoweth, Sharni Spencer and Callum Linnane perform on stage at the Royal Opera House in London on Monday. Picture: AFP

Australian Ballet principal artist Benedicte Bemet has been on tour with the company to Britain, China and the US, but dancing on the stage of London’s Royal Opera House has long been on her bucket list.

She is now in the British capital with her fellow dancers as they prepare to give six performances at the Royal Opera House, the first time the company has appeared at the venue in 35 years.

“The Royal Opera House is one of the best stages in the world, and has had some of the best dancers in the world perform there,” Bemet said.

“Everyone is so excited. We’re ecstatic.”

Artistic director David Hallberg said he was thrilled to be leading The Australian Ballet on an overseas tour as part of its 60th ­anniversary celebrations.

The company will present five performances of George Balanchine’s three-act ballet Jewels, from Wednesday, and a 60th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday that will showcase the dancers in classical, modern and contemporary works. Tickets for both programs are close to being fully sold.

“We have had such great seasons of Jewels in Australia, and the company is looking so good – so clear, and sharp and confident,” Hallberg said.

“There is nothing like coming to the Royal Opera House and showing London audiences the work that we do, the style that we’re refining and honing.”

Hallberg had only just been ­appointed artistic director when he rang his colleague at the Royal Ballet, Kevin O’Hare, to suggest a tour by the Australian company.

“I had danced at the royal – I was a principal guest artist there,” Hallberg said.

“I said, ‘I’d love the company to return to the Royal Opera House’, and that’s when we started dis­cussions.

“It’s even more important for the Australian Ballet … to go overseas and really show other cities what we’re up to.

“My overriding emotion is excitement for the dancers, to dance on this iconic stage.”

Dancers of The Australian Ballet recently have taken industrial action – including delaying the start of two performances in Melbourne – in a long-running pay dispute with management. The MEAA union said on Tuesday no action was planned during the London tour.

The Australian Ballet’s executive director, Lissa Twomey, said: “It is a very special and important tour which celebrates The Australian Ballet’s 60th anniversary, and the whole company has been working towards making it a success for a number of years.”