The Australian Ballet Brings Graeme Murphy's SWAN LAKE to Sydney Tonight

The Australian Ballet 2015 season commences in style this February with a Sydney-only run of Graeme Murphy's internationally acclaimed Swan Lake at the Capitol Theatre (tonight 20 - 28 February). This modern-day classic is The Australian Ballet's most performed and most successful work of all time. The Sydney performances follow a sell-out Melbourne season in 2013 and widespread international success. Murphy magnificently captures the romance of Odette and Prince Siegfried with extraordinary elegance. He brings to life one of the dance world's most famous love triangles in all its classic beauty to present a story which resonates across the ages.

Murphy's Swan Lake had its US West Coast premiere in Los Angeles and then travelled on to San Francisco in October, marking the

Australian company's 33rd international tour. The performances were met with astonishing reviews from American critics, commending the remarkable skill and breathtaking athleticism of the dancers.

The Huffington Post said, "Tchaikovsky's classic ballet has a triumphant outing in its Los Angeles production featuring the innovative and masterful choreography of Graeme Murphy and inspiring performances by the principals and troupe of The Australian Ballet, now one of the leading international ballet companies."

Arts Beat commented: "Astonishing. Breathtaking. Exhilarating. There probably are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe The Australian Ballet Company's stunning rendition of Swan Lake"

Murphy's Swan Lake will be the fourth interpretation of the ballet. Setting it to Tchaikovsky's instantly recognisable and dramatic score, Murphy melds the sheer power of a classic with a modern day realistic and flamboyant romance.

Inspired by the notorious love triangle between Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Swan Lake invites the audience into a world of scandal, lust, and betrayal, where no heart is left untarnished.

With over 280 stunning costumes in the production, the illustrious wedding dress is breathtakingly magical. Murphy's meticulous and exquisite choreography largely considered its design and structure when undertaking the creative development process.

The Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, David McAllister, said: "Murphy's Swan Lake is the ballet that perfectly embodies The Australian Ballet's motto 'caring for tradition, daring to be different'. It showcases the technique and athleticism of our dancers while storming into new territory with a modern, sensual and dramatic narrative".

"We've toured this production to London, Paris, Tokyo, Nagoya, Shanghai and New York, where packed houses and standing ovations justified our status as a world- leading ballet company, and we're thrilled to be returning this production to Australia with a treat for home audiences," said McAllister.

Swan Lake has been danced 570 times by the company, making it the most performed work by the Australian Ballet. Created especially to mark the company's 40th anniversary in 2002 and last performed in Sydney in 2008 in a sold- out season, this is a Swan Lake unlike any other. It perfectly combines the best of old and new in a thoroughly unique production.

Credits:

SWAN LAKE (2002)
Choreography Graeme Murphy
Creative associate Janet Vernon
Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Set and costume design Kristian Fredrikson Concept Graeme Murphy, Janet Vernon and Kristian Fredrikson
Original lighting design Damien Cooper

Awards:

Winner, Best Foreign Dance Company UK Critics' Circle Awards 2005
Winner of four Helpmann Awards in 2003 Winner of four Green Room Awards 2003 Winner, Mo Award 2003

Dates:
Sydney (11 performances) 20 - 28 February
Capitol Theatre
with Orchestra Victoria

Bookings:

ticketmaster.com.au

Founded in 1962, The Australian Ballet is one of the world's leading performing arts companies delivering unique experiences that inspire and entertain. It has been the face of ballet in the Asia Pacific region for over 50 years. Each year it performs works from the classical repertoire as well as contemporary works by major Australian and international choreographers, and new commissions that explore the development and future of this dynamic art form.

Led by celebrated Artistic Director David McAllister AM, The Australian Ballet is one of the busiest ballet companies in the world. The company annually presents approximately 200 performances in cities and regional areas around Australia, in addition to regular international touring to cities including Paris, Manchester, Tokyo, Shanghai, Auckland, Cardiff and London. Over the years, dancers and teachers have been welcomed from China, England, France, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the USA and the USSR. And new ballet school graduates from Asian, Latin American and European backgrounds are helping to make the company look like a snapshot of contemporary Australia. It is a company attuned to its time and place in the world.

Versatility, technical excellence and a warm, friendly style are the trademarks of The Australian Ballet; qualities that have earned both critical and audience acclaim.

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