EDGE OF NIGHT to play Arts Centre of Melbourne & Opera Theatre of Sydney, 8/26

Two generations of Australian ballet talent come together to present Edge of Night for The Australian Ballet in 2010.

In keeping with the company's tradition of caring for tradition while daring to be different, Edge of night is a triple bill where resident choreographer Stephen Baynes presents two critically acclaimed works alongside a world premiere for rising star Tim Harbour.

Opening in Melbourne at the Arts Centre on 26 August, the season heads to the Sydney Opera House from 11 November.

Baynes and Harbour both trained with The Australian Ballet School, danced for many years with The Australian Ballet, and now create beautiful works for its artists to perform. For Artistic Director David McAllister, Baynes and Harbour come together in Edge of night to showcase the very best traits of Australian choreography.

"It's all about having a willingness to take risks, opting for a bold and playful approach, and ensuring there is an ongoing respect for classical ballet technique," McAllister said.

When Baynes' Molto Vivace premiered in 2003, Handel's score was accompanied by the sound of dropping jaws. Boldly colourful, playful and laugh-out-loud funny, it showed the future of ballet was bright indeed.

In contrast, the achingly romantic At the edge of nightshows a very different side to Baynes' work. Set to seven preludes by Sergei Rachmaninov, the music, says Baynes "speaks of a nostalgic yearning, of idyllic dreams, of pride and passion." And so does the ballet.

Harbour's mainstage debut for The Australian Ballet,Halcyon, completes the bill. A dancer with The Australian Ballet for 13 years, Harbour has had a meteoric rise as a choreographer. After a succession of critically acclaimed works for the company's Bodytorque series, and commissions for Australian companies, a chance spotting by Christopher Wheeldon saw him recruited to create a ballet for the New-York based Morphoses in late 2009.

Based on a Greek myth and set to a specially commissioned score from Gerard Brophy, Harbour'sHalcyon will be a much anticipated debut.

The tradition of nurturing choreographic talent has continued under a number of Artistic Directors at The Australian Ballet. Both Baynes and Harbour are an inspiration to the next generation of Australian choreographers and prove the importance of nurturing talent to produce the major artists of tomorrow. Edge of night showcases just this.

Edge of Night will have 11 performances in Melbourne from August 26 until September 4 at the State Theatre, the Arts Centre, with Orchestra Victoria. It will have 19 performances in Sydney from November 11 until November 29 at the Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House, with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra.

Tickets are available online at australianballet.com.au or by phone at 1300 369 741.

Photo by: Jez Smith