Background Image

The Royal Ballet in Cairns following acclaimed Brisbane season

Following standing ovations and rave reviews in Brisbane, The Royal Ballet will tonight (Wednesday 12 July) give a special one-night-only Gala Performance at Munro Martin Parklands in Cairns as part of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) International Series.

Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk said The Royal Ballet’s special performance in Cairns is part of a huge week of arts and culture in the city, which showcases the cultural vibrancy of Far North Queensland.

“It has been a coup for Queensland to secure The Royal Ballet for an exclusive season at QPAC and to also bring them to Cairns to perform for the first time in north Queensland, allowing more Queenslanders to connect with one of the world’s greatest ballet companies,” Premier Palaszczuk said.

“This visit to Queensland provides benefits that far exceed the company’s performance time on stage. It has also featured workshops with Teaching Artists from The Royal Ballet culminating in community groups dancing alongside company dancers, masterclasses, exhibitions, creative insight sessions with choreographers and, now, a special gala performance in Cairns.

“This level of cultural exchange provides an invaluable legacy across our state.”

The Gala Performance, featuring 14 of The Royal Ballet company’s dancers, is a special series of short solo and pas de deux works, including excerpts from Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, Le Corsaireand Don Quixote.

The dancers will be accompanied on stage by four musicians – two pianists from The Royal Ballet and a violinist and cellist.

The Cairns Gala Performance follows The Royal Ballet’s Brisbane-only season that featured Woolf Works and The Winter’s Tale, performed at QPAC for the first time outside of London.

This one-off performance in Cairns was a highlight on the It’s Live! in Queensland major events calendar and furthered the state’s reputation as a vibrant cultural destination. 

“The Royal Ballet’s Cairns Gala Performance is an opportunity to take unique world-class cultural performances to regionalQueensland, which drive visitation, provide local economic benefits, support local jobs and foster community pride,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Mayor of Cairns Regional Council Councillor Bob Manning said hosting The Royal Ballet on the city’s newest stage demonstrated the regard in which Cairns was held as a performing arts venue.

“There is a real excitement about having some of the world’s most accomplished dancers grace our city and I was fortunate to see The Royal Ballet perform in Brisbane last week and it was simply breathtaking,” Cr Manning said.

“I have no doubt that tonight’s gala will be just as spectacular; and the stunning outdoor setting of the Munro Martin Parklands will add something truly special to the experience.

“I would like to thank Premier Palaszczuk, the Queensland Government and QPAC for their role in bringing this special gala event to Cairns.”

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the Gala Performance would bring some of the company’s best dancers to Cairns. 

“The Royal Ballet contingent includes Principal dancers MarianelaNuñez, Edward Watson and Australian Alexander Campbell, and fellow Australian dancer Calvin Richardson for this one night only performance,” Mr Kotzas said.

“The tropics of Queensland will provide a spectacular backdrop for some of the most exquisite moments from much-loved ballet repertoire.”

The QPAC International Series is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.

The Cairns Gala Performance is also supported by Arts Queensland’s Playing Queensland Fund. It is co-presented by QPAC and Cairns Regional Council.

The evening will feature the Gala Performance by The Royal Ballet, to be preceded by a performance by local participants in the QPAC International Series We All Dance program, as well as a performance by the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA) Dance College. 

We All Dance is a workshop program facilitated by QPAC across four months with participants from Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture and Cairns. The program spans workshops, masterclasses, online activities, performances and community building processes designed in partnership with key community organisations working with local artists and two teacher artists from The Royal Ballet, David Pickering and Liz Foster.

NAISDA Dance College is a national training organisation in the performing arts and works to shape Australia’s creative and cultural artists. They will be proudly dancing excerpts from Sand to Stageon Darkinjung land.

Limited tickets available at www.ticketlink.com.au1300 855 835 or at the gate.

Media can download footage and images via bit.ly/TheRoyalBalletCairns