It’s a gala feast of ballet…

Ballet 101
Matthew Edwardson in Ballet 101 for GALA. Photo by Bradbury Photography

It’s been a rough year for the arts sector across Australia with most companies shutting down for months on end due to the pandemic. 

Western Australians have been particularly lucky that much of our way of life has returned to normal and that is evident with the work the WA Ballet company has done to return to the stage.

They have managed to present the back end of their 2020 program including the brilliant season of Dracula, and the dual season of Gala and The Nutcracker.

Gala opened at His Majesty’s Theatre as part of their festive season presenting a collection of some of the very best acts performed by the company.

The pieces were chosen by WA Ballet’s artistic director Aurelien Scanella who said he chose the very best of the last eight years of his time as director.

“I have handpicked the works as a combination of audience favourites, critically acclaimed pieces, our dancers own much loved excerpts and of course my own favourites, which showcase the diversity and talent of our company,” said Scanella.

This is the first time a Gala evening has been presented and it is a wonderful way to introduce those who may never have been to a ballet before to this glorious artform.

There is nothing better than sitting back in the lush His Majesty’s theatre and escaping everyday life with beautiful music and wonderful dance.

Gala presented a variety of contemporary and classic pieces including acts from TakutoLe Corsaire pas de deuxTarantellaRadio & JulietCoVid LabLes Indomptes and Don Quixote pas de deux.

One of my favourite pieces from the 2019 Quarry season was Ballet 101. Demi soloist Matthew Edwardson took us through a crash course in ballet and presented the 101 one positions of ballet. It is a piece which is light, amusing although shows the strength and talent of the dancer.

For me there is nothing better than watching principal dancer Dayana Hardy Acuna dance with Juan Carlos Osma – their movements are fluid and they just gel together as one.

Their performance from this year’s world premiere at the Ballet at the Quarry of Architecture of Hope was mesmorising.

It was wonderful to see the pas de deux from The Great Gatsby with the stunning costumes and superb dancing from principal dancers Chihuro Nomura and Matthew Lehmann.

The collection of pieces is thoughtful, extensive and showcases the many talents which we have in what is Australia’s oldest ballet company and with Scanella’s leadership is fast becoming the best in the country.

Gala is a beautiful collection of acts from a variety of ballets which inspires joy and hope – certainly a perfect mix for audiences after this COVID year.

Support our local arts and see Gala which plays at His Majesty’s Theatre until 11 December.

Check the website for dual performances of the Christmas ballet – The Nutcracker.

Bookings www.waballet.com.au or 9214 0707.