Lights, Camera, Action!
The dance show with energy and excitement, presented by the Fargher Academy of Dance.
Lyrical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre and Ballet, featuring dances from 3yrs through to adults.
The dancers can’t wait to show you everything they have learnt this year.
Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance presents a classical ballet production of the traditional tale, bringing to life a captivating display of the beloved characters that we all know and love from films and musicals.
With guest dancer Oliver Carruthers from Auckland, the ballet retells this magical story. As in previous seasons of Nelson Academy of Dance, you will be treated to stunning staging and costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.
Tutus on Tour 2025 will continue our well-established and successful pattern of presenting classical favourites alongside more contemporary works.
This programme includes two show-stopping pas de deux: the elegant and sophisticated Grand Pas Classique, and the charming Wedding pas de deux from Act Ill of Coppelia. We will also see the stage premiere of Limerence, a work for four dancers by former RNZB dancer Annaliese Macdonald, originally created for the Ballet Bites digital season in 2022 and now re-worked for live performances.
Completing the Tutus on Tour line up is The Way Alone, a neoclassical work by Australian choreographer Stephen Baynes, first performed by Hong Kong Ballet and now seen in New Zealand for the first time.
F.A. Dance Centre presents - A Triple Bill. With three shows in one, A Christmas Wish, Broadway Baby and Beat Street, there is something for everyone.
A Christmas Wish is enchanting and entertaining with the classical ‘Silent Night’ and the fun favourite ‘Rock Around the Christmas Tree’.
Broadway Baby is the best of musicals, ‘Let It Go’ through to ‘Cell Block Tango’.
Beat Street is the third act with Tap, Contemporary, Hip Hop and Jazz numbers.
F.A. Dance Centre are renowned for producing top class performances with strong, technical dancers at a professional level.
Come along and enjoy the best of local dance talent.
Join Ballet Nelson in the timeless and enchanting production of The Nutcracker, a ballet that has captivated audiences for generations. This holiday season, step into a magical world where young Clara embarks on a dreamlike adventure filled with fantastical characters, dazzling dance sequences, and unforgettable music.
The story begins on Christmas Eve, when Clara’s father gifts the Nutcracker to the family. After her brother Fritz breaks it, Clara is entrusted with looking after the magical doll. That night, as the clock strikes midnight, Clara finds herself in the midst of a magical transformation: the Christmas tree grows to towering heights, and her beloved Nutcracker springs to life to lead an army of toy soldiers into battle against the fearsome Mouse King and his minions.
After Clara defeats the Mouse King with her slipper, she is whisked away on an unforgettable journey to the Land of Snow. There, she is greeted by twirling snowflakes in a breathtaking winter wonderland. The adventure continues as she travels to the Land of Toys & Sweets, ruled by the radiant Sugar Plum Fairy. Clara is treated to a celebration of toy dancers, each representing different countries, from Spanish and Arabian to Chinese and Russian, all performing with mesmerising skill and grace.
At the heart of The Nutcracker lies the powerful score composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tchaikovsky’s sweeping melodies and lush orchestration elevate the story, bringing each character and moment to life in a way that words alone cannot. The grandeur of the music, combined with the stunning choreography originally crafted by Marius Petipa and now beautifully restaged by Adriana Harper, creates a magical atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on all who experience it.
Ballet Nelson’s production of The Nutcracker promises to be an extraordinary performance, filled with exquisite costumes, intricate sets, and breathtaking choreography. Taking the stage are Ballet Nelson’s talented students, including adults. Alongside professional guest dancers Oliver Carruthers, James Burchell, Callum Phipps who portray key roles such as the Godfather Drosselmeyer, Nutcracker Doll, and Nutcracker Prince. We are also excited to welcome back ex Ballet Nelson student Brooke Darling as our Sugar Plum Fairy and Mouse King. Together, they dazzle the audience with their technical brilliance and artistry, creating unforgettable moments that come to life on stage.
Ballet Nelson is thrilled to bring this classic production to life, with performances designed to enchant, inspire, and create lasting memories. The production’s attention to detail, from the delicate costumes to the masterful choreography, ensures a visually stunning and emotionally uplifting experience for all who attend.
Don’t miss your chance to join Clara on her magical journey this holiday season. Whether it’s your first time seeing the ballet or you’re returning to this enchanting production, Ballet Nelson’s The Nutcracker is sure to be a performance you’ll remember for years to come. Secure your tickets today and be part of a magical world of wonder and enchantment!
For the first time, Legacy Groovers, Legacy Dance and Legacy Performance Company will take to the Nelson Theatre Royal stage and bring to life EXPRESS. The students at Legacy will have you feeling Merry and Jolly with this Festive Season-inspired dance show.
With over 150 dancers from ages 4 - 19, EXPRESS will rekindle the sparklejollytwinklejingley memories and feelings we have every festive season. This 3-act show will follow Gabgab (Nana Gabrielle) as she reflects on her most memorable Christmases and some of her worrying feelings. With all our favourite Christmas carols paired with costumes and personalities, our Nelson and Tasman Dancers will shine brighter than the Rockafella Centre Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.
EXPRESS by Legacy Dance is a show for all ages.
Like Santa, check your list twice and ensure you have the correct ACT, DAY, and TIME. All ticket purchases are final. The box office cannot Exchange, Refund, or Reallocate tickets purchased incorrectly.
ACT 1 - Night Before Christmas performed by Legacy Groovers Pre-School Dance Programme
Performance Times: Sat 7 Dec, 12pm & 6pm (NO Act 1 on Friday 6 Dec)
We meet Gabgab (Nana Gabrielle) on Christmas Eve. She is getting ready to perform one of her favourite Christmas Traditions: reading Twas the night before Christmas to all the young kids in her Neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood kids (Legacy Groovers Pre-School dancers) have decided to surprise Gabgab with a little bit of Christmas Spirit and Magic; they bring to life the character from Gabgab's favourite Christmas Story, "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
30 Minute Interval. The auditorium will be closed to ticket holders at this time.
ACT 2 - Adventus performed by Legacy Dance Community Dance Programme, Monday and Wednesday Classes
Performance Times: Fri 6 Dec, 7pm; Sat 7 Dec, 1pm & 7pm
After all the excitement and surprise Gabgab had watching her story come to life, she began to think back; Christmas was filled every year with family, love, joy, and Christmas cheer. Much like Santa travelling through the Christmas Eve sky, stopping at every chimney to deliver presents, we meet a young Gabbie who will open the doors to her own Advent Calendar of Favourite Christmases. Behind every advent door, memories burst out, and Gabbie reminisces and celebrates the joy of Christmas.
30 Minute Interval. The auditorium will be closed to ticket holders at this time.
ACT 3 - Cadere performed by Legacy Performance Company Extension Dance Programme
Performance times: Fri 6 & Sat 7 Dec, 8.30pm (NO Act 3 on Saturday afternoon)
Gabbie enjoys the beauty and wonder of her Christmas Past. She goes to sleep, wishing for it to be quick so she can have a merry Little Christmas.
Everyone knows Santa has a Naughty and Nice List, and Gabbie starts to dream what it would be like if she was on the Naughty List. Gabbie's Christmas spirit dampens as she understands how different the reason for the season can be when you are put on the Naughty List. Gabbie struggles through seven characteristics that stem from overindulgence, characteristics that don't feel like Christmas cheer.
Gabgab wakes up early on Christmas. She can hear the neighbourhood kids starting to wake up. She has to choose whether to share what she learned in her dream.
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is one wreathed in smiles…
Gillian Francis’ Nelson Academy of Dance presents an evening of delightful, enchanting dance.
Young Marie, with her brother and mother, visit a Doll Shop to see the dolls dancing. The children have a wonderful time watching all the different dolls; Drummer, French, Poodle, Fairy, Can Can dancers, and many more. However, they cannot decide which one they would like, so go home empty handed.
Later, Marie dreams about the dolls and suddenly finds herself back at the shop, having a splendid time dancing with all the dolls. But really it was all a dream.
Join Marie and all the other young dancers for an enchanting, not to be missed evening.
Wakatū Dance Theatre proudly presents Chase The Dream.
The theme for this year’s show is CHASE THE DREAM, encouraging our students to look ahead to the future and realise their dreams. The music suggests hope and happiness, which gives a positive lift to the dance and choreography.
Some of our music choices include; ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon, ‘Take the First Step’ from Elmo in Grouchland, ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman. We want our audience to enjoy an hour and a half of uplifting music, song, drama and dance.
As Walt Disney once famously said “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”.
Tutus on Tour will feature excerpts from former Artistic Director Russell Kerr’s beautiful production of Swan Lake, ahead of the company’s full-length Swan Lake season in May 2024. Featuring dazzling designs by Kristian Fredrikson, created in 1996, the performances will include the ‘Black Swan’ pas de deux (dance for two), the famous ‘Cygnets’ quartet (for four), the graceful Pas de Trois (for three) from Act I, and the grand Hungarian and Spanish dances – a special highlight of Act III.
Complementing the classical splendour of Swan Lake is RNZB Choreographer in Residence Shaun James Kelly’s Prismatic, inspired by RNZB founder Poul Gnatt and choreographer Russell Kerr’s landmark Prismatic Variations, set to the music of Johannes Brahms. Commissioned to mark the RNZB’s 70th birthday in 2023, Prismatic unites all the hallmarks of Kelly’s confident choreographic style – grounded in traditional ballet technique and inspired by the rhythmic and melodic arcs of the soaring score.
Closing the beautiful Tutus on Tour programme is Clay by Alice Topp, a mesmerising, emotionally charged pas de deux which opens her acclaimed Logos, first seen in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023 in the RNZB’s popular 2023 season Lightscapes.
The must see show for December! F.A. Dance Centre is excited to perform their 2023 show Jigsaw for Nelson audiences. Jigsaw is about the different pieces of dance, with Classical, Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Musical Theatre pieces, as well as Tap from Tasman Tappers.
This show certainly has something for everyone with high energy Musical Theatre and Jazz numbers, through to emotive, technical Lyrical and Classical performances, as well as popular Hip Hop dances that have everyone dancing in their seats.
Performing is the highlight for the dancers, giving everyone the wonderful experience of dancing in the beautiful Theatre Royal. Beginners, adults and experienced competitive dancers are all given their chance to shine. Jigsaw is also showcasing talented dancers that recently enjoyed the trip of a lifetime dancing in NYC and LA this year.
Director Trudy Fargher, teachers and dancers can’t wait to share their passion and energy with you.
