The Australian Ballet has introduced a Triple Bill Program to Ballet TV.
Andrew Wright
Courtesy of the Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet’s, Andrew Wright, Planned Giving and Patrons Representative, shares his insights on the upcoming triple bill program, featuring on Ballet TV.
After retiring from a 15-year career on stage with The Australian Ballet, Andrew joined the Philanthropy Team in 2019. A proud long-time company member, Andrew shares his unique experience as a dancer and draws on his knowledge of the upcoming works. He invites you to enjoy the Triple Bill Program. Available to view Thursday 14 May to Thursday 28 May.
Read Andrew’s thoughts on each piece, before watching on Ballet TV!
Triple Bill Program: Dyad 1929 (McGregor), Warumuk (Page), Narrative of Nothing (Murphy)
Dyad 1929 (McGregor)
DYAD 1929
Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photography by Branco Gaica
Commissioned for the Concord triple bill as part of the 2009 season, this creation was the first work performed by The Australian Ballet by then emerging choreographer, Wayne McGregor. This work went on to be presented by the company at Lincoln Center in New York City as part of the 50th Anniversary Tour in 2012.
I vividly recall this creation process as the most mentally and physically challenging one of my career. McGregor’s movement vocabulary was like nothing we had ever done before. His work demands every ounce of body and mind. The synergy between being highly cognitive and physically pushing the body’s boundaries of physical extremes – flexibility, strength and dynamics – is truly stuff that fuels a dancers’ soul. Set to Steve Reich’s pulse-pounding score – Double Sextet – and it’s monochromatic and geometric design, Dyad 1929 is a sleek, modern and thrilling performance experience for audiences. McGregor choreographs a kiss into each of his works – so keep an eye out for where it is in Dyad 1929!
Warumuk (Stephen Page)
Warumuk
Vivienne Wong with Artists of the Australian Ballet and Bangarra Dance Theatre
Photography by Lynette Wills
A collaboration with Bangarra Dance Theatre with choreography by Stephen Page, Warumuk was the final piece in the Infinity triple bill in 2012. This new work was also presented in New York City at Lincoln Center alongside Dyad 1929 in the Luminous program.
Based on Aboriginal astronomy, Warumuk moved from the Evening Star to the Morning Star exploring the myths that resonate within the night sky and the myriad of stories of the galaxy. The piece featured dancers from both companies performing, coming together, inspired by Aboriginal culture and exploring these astronomical myths through contemporary dance.
Jennifer Irwin was the designer of the exquisite costumes which incorporated carefully selected body paint. Vivienne Wong particularly shimmers in her costume as The Evening Star. The score composed by David Page, is mix of soundscape and orchestral instruments proving a stirring and moving experience and celebrates the resilience of Aboriginal songs and languages.
Narrative of Nothing (Murphy)
Narrative of Nothing
Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photography by Lynette Wills
This work opened the Infinity triple bill, commencing the 2012 season, beginning celebrations for the company’s 50th Anniversary Season. Well-known to us all, choreographer Graeme Murphy’s idea for the piece was the notion that audiences, when confronted with the abstract, will map their own narrative on to what they see – hence it’s title, Narrative of Nothing.
The work has Graeme’s signature sculpturing of bodies to create landscapes, incorporating dynamic movement sequences showcasing individual dancers virtuostic talents. It’s set to Brett Dean’s Fire Music score, written as a response to the Black Saturday bushfires that devasted Australia’s East Coast in 2009.
The white unitard costumes were created by Jennifer Irwin, each possessing a unique hand painted design of purples, blues and black with sparsely spaced sequins that emphasised movement as they reflected the light. On opening night, we each received a ‘chookas’ card with a segment of the unique design from our own personal costume painted on the front from Graeme Murphy and Janet Vernon. A lovely personal touch and keepsake!
Friends of the Australian Ballet extend our sincere thanks to Andrew Wright, Planned Giving and Patrons Representative at The Australian Ballet for so generously sharing these wonderful experiences and insights with FAB members. Watch the Triple Bill now on Ballet TV.