Ballet
Tamara Rojo - Giselle reimagined
Spanish ballet dancer Tamara Rojo is artistic director and a principal dancer at the English National Ballet which is bringing a new production of the classical ballet, Giselle, to Aotearoa. Rojo is… Audio
Tamara Rojo - Giselle reimagined
Spanish ballet dancer Tamara Rojo is artistic director and a principal dancer at the English National Ballet which is bringing a new production of the classical ballet, Giselle, to Aotearoa. Rojo is… Audio
Contentious car park studio
The strained relationship between the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the New Zealand School of Dance didn’t affect Wellington City Council’s decision for relocating the national ballet company. The… Audio
PM asks for briefing on RNZ Ballet crisis
Jacinda Ardern has asked for a briefing on what is happening at Royal NZ ballet as reports emerge that up to 20 of 36 dancers are either leaving, or haven't had their contracts renewed. Video, Audio
Ballet being taught in prisons to reduce population
A joint venture between Corrections and the Royal New Zealand Ballet is bringing dance into Arohata Women's Prison for the first time. Video, Audio
Graduate’s take on NZSD 50th Anniversary
New Zealand School of Dance graduate Hayley Stevenson analyses the school's 50th anniversary performance.
Coming up
RNZB takes steps into women’s prison
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is teaching inmates at Arohata Women’s prison how to jeté, pirouette and plié. Audio
Goose Bumps
Ahead of Michael Keegan-Dolan's work Swan Lake/Loch na h-eala at this years NZ Festival, Nights' dance doyen Chris Jannides takes a look at the ballet Swan Lake - its history and its many… Audio
Keeping the NZSD students on their toes
The New Zealand School of Dance is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a number of events and guests. One of them is American dancer Victoria Simon who has been teaching the next generation how to… Audio
Theatre Critic Deirdre Tarrant
Deidre Tarrant reviews the Royal NZ's ballet's tour of Romeo and Juliet Audio
Audio description en pointe for blind audience
As soon as you hear Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights you’ll recognise it. It’s one of the most famous pieces, and scenes from Romeo and Juliet, currently being performed by the Royal New Zealand… Audio
Just like Romeo and Juliet
This is a saucier production of Romeo and Juliet than most – one moment inspired a wolfwhistle from the audience, and it’s worth counting how many times they kiss...
“Nureyev was an animal on stage”
Frederic Jahn danced with Rudolf Nureyev in his ground breaking production of Romeo and Juliet. The boy from Dunedin has had a career working with ballet royalty and brings that experience to the… Audio
Kiwi pianist off to Covent Garden
Royal New Zealand Ballet’s rehearsal pianist Michael Pansters has landed a gig of a life time at the Royal Opera House in London. He’s off on his adventure later this month, taking the role of… Audio
NZ mountaineer inspires opera: a ‘microcosm of man’s struggle’
A fallen New Zealand mountaineer has provided inspiration for an opera by British composer Joby Talbot. Video, Audio
RNZB: Three by Ekman choreographer fronts up
A technology malfunction brought effervescent choreographer Alexander Ekman on stage unexpectedly early on opening night of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Three by Ekman. Reviewer Jennifer Shennan was… Audio
Getting the next generation en pointe
Getting the next generation to step up to the mark is what Australian Ballet School director Lisa Pavane is all about. She’s been in New Zealand running workshops and judging dance competitions… Audio
Is RNZB’s season opener en pointe?
The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2017 season began last week with its first production of the work of Ronald Petit. The double bill Carmen and L'Arlésienne has been recreated for the New Zealand company… Audio
Friction at Royal New Zealand Ballet
Allegations of conflict between ballet dancers and the artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet, have led to an independent investigation by the board and a facilitator hired to help mend the… Audio
There’s no place like home
Royal New Zealand ballet dancer Lucy Green has danced some premier roles during her time with the company including title roles in Cinderella and Giselle and Dorothy in this year’s Wizard of Oz. She’s… Audio