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.

Follow Alice on her adventure down the rabbit hole based on Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. This unusual story comes to life on stage with all the characters and creatures. The White Rabbit who is always late to the mystical Caterpillar and cheeky Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and the tea party, elegant Flamingos and cute hedgehogs and of course we cannot forget the Queen of Hearts herself!

The ballet is danced along with the lovely score by Tchaikovsky taking you on an enchanting adventure.

Performed with a cast of local aspiring dancers from Ballet Nelson along with guest dancers. We are super excited to welcome back Oliver Carruthers (ex Footnote and currently Freelance dancer Nationally and Internationally), Leonora Voigtlander (ex RNZB) and James Burchell (NZSD graduate and currently Freelance dancer).

Produced and choreographed by Adriana Harper, (ex RNZB) who strives to provide outstanding performances for our local dancers to experience a full production on stage.

Gillian Francis’ Nelson Academy of Dance presents three wonderful ballets: two classical pieces, Papillon and A Night in Vienna, followed by the ever popular Peter and the Wolf.

As in previous Nelson Academy of Dance seasons, you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

To begin the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 70th birthday year, Tutus on Tour 2023 looks affectionately back at the RNZB’s early days, with performances in some of Aotearoa’s smaller cities and towns and loveliest historic theatres.

Patricia Barker has carefully curated a collection of works which encapsulate the history of ballet, and her desire to share treasures from the RNZB’s recent past, alongside works new and old that the dancers can’t wait to perform.

Le Papillon and After the Rain – made almost two centuries apart – both show the intimate magic of a couple dancing together, creating a miniature world in the spotlight onstage. ‘Nobody Takes Me Seriously’ from 2001’s landmark FrENZy is a toe-tapping solo to Tim Finn’s Kiwi classic and the chance for one of the company’s men to cut loose, with style.

The programme is completed with two works each for eight dancers: the New Zealand premiere of Brian Enos’ elegantly neo-classical Cold Winter’s Waiting (2013) and Greg Horsman’s classical showpiece Holberg Suite, created for Tutus on Tour in 2009 and now given a welcome revival.

Let us entertain you with fabulous dancers performing a variety of dance numbers - Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Jazz, Classical Ballet, Lyrical and guest performances from Tasman Tappers.

You will be enchanted by the studio's mini dancers and dazzled by the talent and ability of the senior company dancers. This is a show for the whole family with energetic Jazz routines, emotive Lyrical pieces and wonderful Tap numbers.

There is certainly something for everyone and we are excited to again put on a professional dance production for Nelson audiences. Book your tickets now and be entertained!

Join Ballet Nelson to witness the rags to royalty journey of Cinderella as she dances and transforms with the help of her Fairy Godmother, alongside her mouse friends and seasonal fairies.

Cinderella’s fashionable and sometimes comedic stepsisters and her evil stepmother, who is repulsed by Cinderella’s natural charm and beauty will go to any lengths to win over the prince.

Meanwhile the prince will dance his way on a quest to find true love.

Guest dancers are:

Ollie Carruthers, Footnote Dance Company
Persia Thor-Poet, 3rd year NZSD
Callum Phipps, Ballet Collective Aotearoa
Tayla Briggs, graduate Classical Ballet 121

Get ready for a night of dazzling costumes, love, laughter and ballet.

The Wakatu Dance Theatre’s 2022 show will have you leaping into your seats! Get ready as we embark on this journey through different eras, locations and cultures, all with iconic music from a variety of genres.

Directed by Peta Spooner, this year’s show includes ballet, modern jazz, contemporary, musical theatre and tap.

Peta is delighted to welcome students from Jane Pascoe Academy of Dance, Michaela's Musical Theatre and Glenna Armstrong School of Tap, which just adds to the quality of performance and entertainment on offer. Join us for Travel, Turn and Leap!

After cancellations last year, Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance is back, presenting a charming, funny and comical ballet for all ages.

Doctor Coppélius, a mad scientist constructed a doll named Coppélia who sits on her balcony all day reading and never speaking to anyone. A boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her and wants to marry her, even though he is already engaged to another woman. His fiance, Swanhilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppélia. She decides to impersonate the doll, in order to win the love of Franz. Chaos ensues, but all is soon forgiven. Swanhilda and Franz make up and get married.

As in previous seasons of Nelson Academy of Dance, you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

The Nutcracker ballet is a magical, festive, family treat about a Christmas gathering and a young girl’s dream about her gift of a nutcracker transforming into a handsome young man. Her prince takes her on a journey to the Kingdom of Sweets, where they are welcomed by the Sugar Plum Fairy.

I am Lesley Bandy, the Artistic Director of Primarily Dance. I performed the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy for many years, and now I want youngsters here in Nelson/Tasman to experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s music and the spectacle of this wonderful ballet. In 2020 we had a sold-out season of The Nutcracker and are excited to bring it back again in 2021.

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