Join us in a weekend of fabulous festivities and events that
will celebrate the past, capture memories and step forward into the
bright future of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. A glorious gathering
of the RNZB - the decades of dancers and staff, the friends and the
family who have brought us to where we are today.
We look forward to welcoming you to our weekend of
celebration.
Weekend celebrations overview
SATURDAY 20 JULY
11am - 4.30pm Behind the scenes with the Royal New Zealand
Ballet - open day
2.30 - 4.15pm Royal High Tea at Logan Brown
6 - 7.15pm Pre-performance cocktail party
7.30pm The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake
Ongoing Bedazzled - Swan Lake costume exhibition
SUNDAY 21 JULY
10am - 12.30pm Book launch
The Royal New Zealand Ballet at Sixty
1.30pm The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake - Matinee performance
and celebration
4 - 6pm A family celebration for company members past and
present
Ongoing Bedazzled - Swan Lake costume exhibition
Download our Celebrating 60 Years of Dance Brochure which
contains all the information you need to know about RNZB's 60th
birthday.
SATURDAY 20 JULY
Behind the scenes with the Royal New Zealand Ballet -
open day
St James Theatre, Wellington
We're throwing open our doors for the day, with children's
activities, guided tours, make up demonstrations, costume displays
and more. From 11am - 4.30pm
A highlight of the day will be company class featuring all
current RNZB dancers, taught onstage at the St James by RNZB
Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel. Company class will take place
from 1.00 - 2.15pm and it is not bookable - simply take a seat
in the theatre on the day.
Backstage and wardrobe tours will depart at regular intervals
from 10am onwards. These are free but pre-booking is recommended
for tours and children's activities as numbers are limited. For
bookings,
click here.
A Royal High Tea at Logan Brown
Join your friends for an intimate celebration of six decades of
dance with reminiscing and anecdotes, photos and film from the
stars that made the RNZB what it is today. Logan Brown Restaurant's
pastry chef has created a delectable range of homemade treats
served with premium tea and quality bubbles to toast our success.
This event is for members of the RNZB family of all ages - dancers,
friends and fans.
Logan Brown Restaurant, 192 Cuba Street, Wellington | 2.30 -
4.15pm | $45 per person. For bookings, click here.
Pre-performance cocktail party, hosted by the Friends of
the Royal New Zealand Ballet
Join Friends and friends for canapés and champagne as the
Friends of the Royal New Zealand Ballet take centre stage before
the evening performance of Russell Kerr's Swan Lake.
First Floor Foyer, St James Theatre, Wellington | 6 - 7.15pm |
$35 per person
For bookings, click here.
The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake
St James Theatre, Wellington
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is thrilled to be presenting
Russell Kerr's landmark production of Swan Lake as the centrepiece
of the company's 60th birthday year. Wellington performances will
be accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake opens at the St James
Theatre, Wellington, on Thursday 18 July, touring to Dunedin,
Christchurch (with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra),
Invercargill, Takapuna, Auckland (with the Auckland Philharmonia
Orchestra), Palmerston North and Napier. For further details and
booking information for all centres please visit www.nzballet.org.nz
Performances over the birthday weekend are at:
7.30pm on Saturday 20 July
1.30pm on Sunday 21 July
Tickets are available at: www.ticketek.co.nz or 0800 TICKETEK
Former company members and staff attending other birthday events
may receive a discount for the performances of Swan Lake over the
anniversary weekend. Phone (04) 381 9000 or email: birthday@nzballet.org.nz
Bedazzled by Swan Lake
Highlights from Kristian Fredrikson's original costumes and
designs for Russell Kerr's Swan Lake, selected from the Dowse Art
Museum's 'Bedazzled' exhibition will be on display at the St James
Theatre throughout the Vodafone Season of Swan Lake. Please note
that no food or drink may be taken into the exhibition.
Hospitality Suite, St James Theatre, Wellington
SUNDAY 21 JULY
Book launch - The Royal New Zealand Ballet at
Sixty
Launch of the story of the RNZB's first 60 years, edited by
Jennifer Shennan and Anne Rowse and published by Victoria
University Press, with more than 100 photographs and illustrations.
Join a panel of key figures who will discuss their memories from
six decades of dance, design, production and music and all the
other elements that have kept the RNZB onstage throughout New
Zealand. Introduced by publisher Fergus Barrowman and chaired by
co-editor Anne Rowse, the official launch of this very special book
promises to be a 'can't miss' occasion.
Hospitality Suite, St James Theatre, Wellington | 10am -
12.30pm
Morning tea will be available in the First Floor Foyer from
10am. The panel discussion will commence at 10.30am and will
include an audience Q&A.
There is no charge for this event but places are limited.
Reserve your place, click here to book.
The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake - matinee performance
and celebration
This performance of Russell Kerr's Swan Lake will
include a special family curtain call that promises to surpass any
standing ovation. You must be there to join this memorable
performance!
St James Theatre, Wellington
Performances over the birthday weekend are at:
7.30pm on Saturday 20 July
1.30pm on Sunday 21 July
Tickets are available at: www.ticketek.co.nz
or 0800 TICKETEK
Former company members and staff attending other birthday events
may receive a discount for the performances of Swan Lake over the
anniversary weekend. Phone (04) 381 9000 or email: birthday@nzballet.org.nz
A family celebration for company members past and
present
An old fashioned family party for friends and family of the
RNZB, including toasts, tributes and treats.
First Floor Foyer, St James Theatre, Wellington | 4-6pm,
immediately following the Swan Lake matinee
There is no charge for this event but entry is by invitation
only. Priority will be given to former company members (including
staff and board), Friends and supporters.
To request an invitation email birthday@nzballet.org.nz
or phone (04) 381 9000.