Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake graces Sydney stage for one exclusive week

The Australian Ballet 2015 season commences in style this February with a Sydney-only run of Graeme Murphy’s internationally acclaimed Swan Lake at the Capitol Theatre (20 – 28 February). This modern-day classic is The Australian Ballet’s most performed and most successful work of all time. The Sydney performances follow a sell-out Melbourne season in 2013 and widespread international success. Murphy magnificently captures the romance of Odette and Prince Siegfried with extraordinary elegance. He brings to life one of the dance world’s most famous love triangles in all its classic beauty to present a story which resonates across the ages.

Murphy’s Swan Lake had its US West Coast premiere in Los Angeles and then travelled on to San Francisco in October, marking the

Australian company’s 33rd international tour. The performances were met with astonishing reviews from American critics, commending the remarkable skill and breathtaking athleticism of the dancers.

The Huffington Post said, “Tchaikovsky's classic ballet has a triumphant outing in its Los Angeles production featuring the innovative and masterful choreography of Graeme Murphy and inspiring performances by the principals and troupe of The Australian Ballet, now one of the leading international ballet companies.”

Arts Beat commented: “Astonishing. Breathtaking. Exhilarating. There probably are not enough superlatives in the English language to describe The Australian Ballet Company’s stunning rendition of Swan Lake”

Murphy’s Swan Lake will be the fourth interpretation of the ballet. Setting it to Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable and dramatic score, Murphy melds the sheer power of a classic with a modern day realistic and flamboyant romance.

Inspired by the notorious love triangle between Princess Diana, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles, Swan Lake invites the audience into a world of scandal, lust, and betrayal, where no heart is left untarnished.

With over 280 stunning costumes in the production, the illustrious wedding dress is breathtakingly magical. Murphy’s meticulous and exquisite choreography largely considered its design and structure when undertaking the creative development process.

The Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, David McAllister, said: “Murphy’s Swan Lake is the ballet that perfectly embodies The Australian Ballet’s motto ‘caring for tradition, daring to be different’. It showcases the technique and athleticism of our dancers while storming into new territory with a modern, sensual and dramatic narrative”.

“We’ve toured this production to London, Paris, Tokyo, Nagoya, Shanghai and New York, where packed houses and standing ovations justified our status as a world- leading ballet company, and we’re thrilled to be returning this production to Australia with a treat for home audiences,” said McAllister.

Swan Lake has been danced 570 times by the company, making it the most performed work by the Australian Ballet. Created especially to mark the company’s 40th anniversary in 2002 and last performed in Sydney in 2008 in a sold- out season, this is a Swan Lake unlike any other. It perfectly combines the best of old and new in a thoroughly unique production.

Credits:

SWAN LAKE (2002)

Choreography Graeme Murphy

Creative associate Janet Vernon

Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Set and costume design Kristian Fredrikson Concept Graeme Murphy, Janet Vernon and Kristian Fredrikson

Original lighting design Damien Cooper

Awards:

Winner, Best Foreign Dance Company UK Critics’ Circle Awards 2005

Winner of four Helpmann Awards in 2003 Winner of four Green Room Awards 2003 Winner, Mo Award 2003

Dates: Sydney (11 performances) 20 – 28 February
Where: Capitol Theatre with Orchestra Victoria
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au