Culture
Dance
The moments that changed these dancers’ lives – and brought them here
One of The Australian Ballet’s new recruits fled Russia as the war began, another grew up in the north of England and preferred football to dance.
- by Catherine Lambert
Latest
★★★½
Performing arts
Grace, fun and technical prowess showcased in curiously hybrid ballet event
The Sydney International Ballet Gala was a cross between a ballet school concert and an old-fashioned gala when dancers gathered to show off their party pieces.
- by Jill Sykes
The breakthrough that changed Frances Rings’ relationship with her dad
The newly appointed director of Bangarra Dance Theatre talks about the life-changing advice her Dad gave her, finding her cultural roots and her blended family.
- by Jane Rocca
Choreography works are engrossing, but there’s barely a dance step in sight
The national biennial award commissions original works by Australian artists and this year’s four performers create feats of the imagination.
- by Jill Sykes
★★★★★
Arts
Ferocious, topical and sassy: This stage show is not to be missed
Six the Musical gives a Girl Power makeover to the story of Henry VIII’s wives, in a pop-fuelled production inspired by divas like Beyonce, Adele and Sia.
- by Cameron Woodhead, Andrew Fuhrmann, Tony Way and Kate Herbert
Cattle calls, stress, high kicks: Scrapping for work in the cut-throat dance world
Melbourne-born Caitlin Marks made it through the first auditions for the Rockettes, the New York dance company that personifies Christmas in the Big Apple.
- by Nick Miller
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Arts
One of ballet’s busiest superstars is making the big leap to Melbourne
Russian-born Daniil Simkin is famed for his extraordinary leaps and spins, and exquisite control. He’s here to play the fool, literally.
- by Nick Miller
★★★★
Rising Festival
Manifesto: when high-concept contemporary dance meets cheerleading
This dancing manifesto created by Melbourne-based choreographer Stephanie Lake is a call for more flash and more sizzle. And it’s thumping good fun.
- by Emma Sullivan, Carla Jaeger, Andrew Fuhrmann and Cameron Woodhead
★★★★
Performing arts
Bangarra production Terrain showcases need to care for our country
While some references are specific, like the men’s dance with shields, this is more of a cerebral and spiritual representation than literal references to animals and plants that we have seen in the more distant past.
- by Jill Sykes
When dancers touch: the push for real consent in this intimate art form
‘Intimacy coaches’ are helping dancers regain their power, advising on consent and choreography. But are Australian companies doing enough?
- by Emma Sullivan
This must-see Rising show will probably be the most difficult to watch
A new work from Broome-based company Marrugeku was inspired by a conversation with deep-thinking Indigenous senator Patrick Dodson.
- by Nick Miller