An excerpt from a ballet classic and new works will feature when The Australian Ballet perform in Warragul this month.
The Australian Ballet, in collaboration with The Australian Ballet School, is celebrating its 60th anniversary with an exciting tour across Victoria and New South Wales.
"The Australian Ballet On Tour" will appear at the West Gippsland Arts Centre on Tuesday, July 25 at 7.30pm and Wednesday, July 26, at 7.30pm.
The tour will showcase excerpts from The Sleeping Beauty Act III, The Vow by Lucas Jervies and a new work by Stephanie Lake, commissioned by The Australian Ballet.
In addition to Warragul, the tour will also visit Geelong, Shepparton, Albury, Griffith, Bathurst, Dubbo and Port Macquarie, providing an opportunity for audiences outside the capital cities to enjoy the magic of dance in their hometowns.
The Sleeping Beauty Act III revisits Tchaikovsky's celebrated score and features breathtaking costumes by Hugh Coleman.
The Vow by Lucas Jervies is a new Australian production commissioned for On Tour, exploring the complications of love and partnership.
Stephanie Lake, recipient of two Australian Dance Awards for choreography, will premiere an exclusive new work in Warragul.
The Australian Ballet's executive director Lissa Twomey said The Australian Ballet had toured the country for 60 years and had brought exquisite productions to communities that might otherwise never get the opportunity to attend live ballet performances.
"Since 1980, when the tour became a regular part of the company's yearly programming, The Australian Ballet has delivered over 800 performances in 71 locations, travelling approximately 10,000 kilometres each year by bus, plane, car and truck to engage with audiences in major cities and towns such as Geraldton, Cairns, Mount Isa, Whyalla, Broken Hill, Mildura, Hobart, Darwin and Alice Springs," she added.
Dancer Hugo Dumapit is excited to perform in regional Victoria and, hopefully, inspire a new generation of dancers.
"I was the only boy in my dance school," he explained, talking about his youth in Sydney.
"It would be good to inspire some dancers, young boys especially."
Dumapit, who has been a member of The Australian Ballet for two years, said it was "challenging" to perform such a diverse program.
"We have to quickly swap up different dancing styles," Dumapit said. "It really captures everything we can do."
Dumapit encouraged audiences to come to Warragul with an open mind and question why certain movements were being performed by the dancers within the various stories being told.
Tickets to "The Australian Ballet On Tour" are $74 for general, $66 for members, concession and groups, and $44 for under 18s.
For bookings or further information, visit wgac.com.au or call the box-office on 5624 2456.