This event is part of the UK/Australia Season.
The UK/Australia Season is a major new cultural exchange celebrating the diverse and innovative artist communities and cultural sectors of each nation. A collaboration between the British Council and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, The Season is a vibrant programme spanning theatre, film, visual arts, dance, design, architecture, music, literature, higher education and a public engagement programme.
Designed to strengthen and build cultural connections, the Season theme is “Who Are We Now?” and will reflect on our history, explore our current relationship, and imagine our future together. The Season launched in both countries in September 2021.
Overview
Next generation talent will be on show in Queensland Ballet’s (QB) Young Artist Programme, visiting the Royal Opera House (ROH) for the first time with an exciting triple bill. The Company’s gifted Jette Parker Young Artists (sister initiative to the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Young Artist Programme) will join featured former Young Artists who have joined Queensland Ballet as Company dancers in original new works by QB’s Associate Choreographer, Jack Lister, and Resident Choreographer, Natalie Weir, as well as Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Resident Choreographer, Loughlan Prior.
Combining dynamic contemporary dance with technology, design and music, the performances are part of The Royal Ballet’s Next Generation Festival at the Royal Opera House, London.
About the Company
Queensland Ballet is a vibrant, creative company which connects people and dance across Queensland. It offers a program of world-class productions of the best classical ballets and inspired contemporary dance works. The Company engages renowned choreographers and designers from around the world and nurtures emerging local talent by presenting exciting new works in an intimate studio series.
With a culture of creativity and collaboration, complemented by an active program of engagement with our communities, Queensland Ballet has become the central hub for dance in the State. Its dancers are acclaimed for their technical excellence and versatility, and the annual program offers diversity in style, audience focus and geographic reach, with up to 100 performances in Brisbane and tours to regional Queensland.
Image: David Kelly
Choreographers
Natalie Weir: Australian choreographer Natalie Weir is known internationally for her highly physical partner work, her organic movement style and her touching insight into humanity. Natalie completed an Associate Diploma of Performing Arts at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane. She was a founding member of Expressions Dance Company (EDC) and was offered her first choreographic commission by Expressions Artistic Director Maggi Sietsma at the age of 18
Loughlan Prior: Described by Dance Aotearoa New Zealand as ‘A creative tour de force’ Loughlan Prior is an award winning Aussie/Kiwi choreographer and filmmaker based in Wellington. After graduating from the New Zealand School of Dance he joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2010 and began creating small works for the company, becoming the first recipient of the Ballet Foundation of New Zealand’s Harry Haythorne Choreographic Award in 2015. He received Creative New Zealand’s Tup Lang Choreographic Award in 2016 and traveled to Toronto to stage his work Curious Alchemy at the Assemblée Internationale.
Jack Lister: Following his training at The Australian Ballet School, Jack Lister joined Queensland Ballet (QB) in 2014 and danced many featured roles in works by Christopher Bruce, Nils Christe, Jiri Kylian, Liam Scarlett, Trey McIntyre and Natalie Weir. After creating his first work for QB in 2015, Lister quickly established a name as a respected emerging maker, recognised in The Australian as “a young choreographer who is going places.” He has gone on to create mainstage works for Queensland Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet and Australasian Dance Collective, presented throughout Australia, United Kingdom, China and Germany to critical and audience acclaim. In January 2020, Lister was appointed Associate Choreographer with Queensland Ballet and joined Australasian Dance Collective (ADC) as a Company Artist.
