S.I. tours for the N.Z. Ballet

Press, 12 February 1986, Page 22

S.I. tours for the N.Z. Ballet

Wellington Reporter Plans for tours during 1986 by the Royal New Zealand Ballet include several to the South Island.

“Festive DaNZers” will tour the country during March and April, with performances in Timaru and Christchurch. It will feature four specially commissioned works by New Zealand artists. The first of these, “Bliss,” is choreographed by former ballerina Patricia Rianne, and designed by Janet Williamson with music composed by Richard Sisson. It is based on Katherine Mansfield’s story of the same name.

Second is “Portraits of Desire,” choreographed by the founder of the Limbs Dance Company, Chris Jannides. It is being designed by sculptor Terry Stringer with music composed by Wayne Laird.

Third is "An Evening to Remember” which is choreographed by Paul Jenden with music composed by Peter Dasent. The fourth, “TraNZformations,” is being choreo-

graphed by the company’s ballet master Peter Boyes, designed by Philip Markham, and with music composed by William Southgate. Later in the year the popular children’s ballet - “Terrible Tom” - will be performed again in Christchurch. There were several performances last year, but it will be shown more extensively this year. In May and June, “Ballet Carnival” will tour a number of minor centres, including Greymouth, Nelson and Blenheim. This comprises a mixture of dance works including classical and successful modem works. South Island centres will be toured in August with “Dancing Your Way,” with performances at Christchurch and Timaru. It features Jack Carter’s "Melodramas”; George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” danced to the music of Tchaikovsky; Gaylene Sciascia’s drama “Moko”; and Vassili Sulich’s evocative dances metaphor of the battle of the sexes, “Mantodea.”