They are currently performing in the australian ballets 25th anniversary production of graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara playing at the sydney opera house. Rose mulready, nutcracker the story of clara, programme, 2017, 14. The australian ballet education teacher resource kit nutcracker story of clara 3 nutcracker the story of clara choreography graeme murphy creative associate janet vernon concept graeme murphy and kristian fredrikson music piotr ilyich tchaikovsky set and costume design kristian fredrikson original lighting design john drummond montgomery. Jun 10, 2009 nutcracker the story of clara is a uniquely australian nutcracker. T heres a touching scene that opens the second act of the australian ballets nutcracker.
Artists of the australian ballet in graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara. This consists of west australian ballet branded tshirts, posters, books, signed pointe shoes and various other ballet themed merchandise. Retold as nutcracker the story of clara, tchaikovskys glorious score remains intact, transposed convincingly on a reverse telling of claras life an ageing russian ballet dancer who had danced around the world for the ballets russes before settling in melbourne. Already famous as a ballerina, clara is presented to the tsar and tsarina at an imperial ball. Nutcracker the story of clara has great heart, a gentle sense of humour, some lovely choreography and a story worth telling. Its all in kristian fredriksons incomparable designs for graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara fredrikson, who delighted in period detail, excelled himself in this ballet, which takes us from st petersburg at the turn of the century to 1950s melbourne. In a stunning departure from tradition, graeme murphy transforms nutcracker into a production which is uniquely australian. Graeme murphys acclaimed reimagining of the nutcracker, like his swan lake, masterfully weaves together the enchantment and fantasy of the beloved classic with emotional depth and a modern perspective clara, a former star of the ballets russes, has settled in australia. The story of clara friends of the australian ballet. Nutcracker the story of clara, australian ballet, state theatre, arts centre melbourne, wednesday june 7th 2017 nutcracker the story of clara choreographed by graeme murphy was presented by the australian ballet at the state theatre, arts centre, melbourne on wednesday june 7th 2017 for those new to my blog i write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. All in all, an extremely touching night at the ballet. Though i chose to remain within the narrative, it should be noted that the artistry and assurance of stojmenov and jackson, as dancers, burned superbly. This nutcracker is set on a sweltering melbourne christmas eve in the late 1950s.
Jarryd madden dancing with leanne stojmenov in nutcracker the story of clara. The story of clara has also captured audiences across australia. I enjoy and replay two of the australian ballet videos. The nutcracker is a largescale ballet packed with brandnew designs by australian designer krystal giddings, dazzling dancing, sparkling tutus and enchanting music. Amelia soh, leanne stojmenov and aigul gaisina in nutcracker story of clara. All about the main female character in the nutcracker ballet. Graeme murphys 1992 nutcracker the story of clara is a wonderful memory piece set during a hot melbourne christmas. The nutcracker, the australian ballet deborah jones. Apr 20, 2017 twentyfive years after its debut, graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara remains a rarity a classical ballet set in australia for most people, ballet conjures images of distant. Clara is a frail former ballerina, reliving her rich and eventful life in. May 08, 2017 t heres a touching scene that opens the second act of the australian ballets nutcracker. Coppelius in the australian ballet version of coppelia, plays the part of one of her old friends, and teacher of her dance classesthe australian ballet coppeliayou simply must have their coppelia.
The story of clara by the australian ballet enchants and delights now regarded as a classic hard to believe it is now 25 years since its first production. Nutcracker the story of clara kultur international films. Australian ballet casts four illawarra dancers for the. Claras story is framed as a flashback, the dying visions of an elderly ballerina, and clara the elder plays a significant part in the storytelling.
Join clara on her adventure as she battles the evil mouse. May 31, 2017 nutcracker the story of clara departs from its whimsical forebear to tell a story grounded in realworld events and the history of ballet in australia. Graeme murphy on the origins of his nutcracker 15 curricular activities. Children follow the wellknown story of clara and a marvellous christmas party that turns into a magical adventure. Murphy transforms the nutcrackers famous snowflake scene into claras memory of her st petersburg childhood. The australian ballet it was a pleasure to be able to see peter wrights nutcracker once again, this time on film danced by the australian ballet and recorded in melbourne on 17 september 2014. The late kristian fredriksons set and costume designs are a big part of this productions appeal but its biggest strength is the way in which it blends the historical with the personal telling clara. May 09, 2017 mix play all mix the australian ballet youtube matthew bourne. It has a new story line which does not resemble the traditional tale, except in being set at christmas time and making some use of a few old items such as the rats. I have always been fascinated, too, by the very moving moment in act ii when clara the ballerina danced on this occasion by dimity azoury watches as her lover is killed during a revolutionary battle in russia. Trust us, adults will love it too because the australian ballets lighthearted version is pure performance gold and a classic like the nutcracker never gets old.
For a more conventional take, tab turned to peter wrights 1990 birmingham royal ballet version, giving the australian premiere in 2007. The australian ballet from the glamorous ballroom of the russian tsar to the dusty summer streets of melbourne, graeme murphys nutcracker is a romantic tale of love and loss, played out across time and distance. Dec 04, 2019 tab has two versions of nutcracker in its repertoire. One dancers story told beautifully through movement by jordan beth vincent updated june 4, 2017 1. Our enchanting christmas ballet, the nutcracker, once again graces his majestys stage this festive season. Dec 03, 2019 the australian ballets nutcracker tones down the yellowface and its a relief. We need australian storytelling in our ballet thats why. Fredrikson, who delighted in period detail, excelled himself in this ballet, which takes us from st petersburg at the turn of the century to 1950s melbourne. The australian ballet exists to inspire, delight and challenge audiences through the power of its performances.
Whats more, it speaks directly to us here in australia. The australian ballets storytime ballet series continues with a perfectly judged childrens version of seasonal favourite the nutcracker the new production is staged by artistic director david mcallister, whose evident love for the nutcracker is matched by his innate knowledge of the piece. Graeme murphys acclaimed reimagining of the nutcracker masterfully weaves. Mix play all mix the australian ballet youtube matthew bourne. Chrissa keramidas as clara the elder in graeme murphys nutcracker. The australian ballet in graeme murphys magical nutcracker.
West australian ballet has a small range of merchandise available from both the theatre during the season and from west australian ballet centre in maylands, 9. The ballet has returned to the stage for its fourth revival, with this months season at the sydney opera house. Traditionally the nutcracker is a christmas ballet with a magician, a child called clara who dreams of a nutcracker dollturnedprince, a mouse. Clara the ballerina, the beloved officer and the nutcracker prince. I saw the australian ballet on a trip to sydney and the lady i was sitting next to told me about their nontraditional nutcracker. The australian ballet 2017 season by the australian ballet. Nutcracker the story of clara, australian ballet, state. On christmas eve, nearing the end of her life, she relives her past. Murphy, who created this narrative in 1992 with designer kristian fredrikson, lets us see clara as a child and a starry ballerina as well as in her. Graeme murphys nutcracker does far more than tell the story of clara, celebrating the backstory of vision, passion and talent that formed the bedrock for our modern, 55yearsyoung company the australian ballet first staged some twentyfive years ago, nutcracker the story of clara now has a sentimental history of its own, over and above the vibrant history of ballet that plays out in.
Designs by the revered kristian fredrikson powerfully evoke claras world, from the shimmer of an australian summer to the glamour of tsarist russia. This spellbinding performance of the nutcracker takes ballets youngest audiences on a magical adventure as it. Friends of the australian ballet sa is established. Nutcracker the story of clara the story the australian ballet.
Nutcracker the story of clara takes audiences deeper into claras story and celebrates the strong ties between russian and australian ballet. From the hills hoist outside claras apartment and the kids skipping rope in front of it, to her russian emigre friends celebrating christmas on a hot summers night, it encapsulates an immigrant experience so familiar to this country. In murphys radical retelling, clara is an elderly russian emigrant and former prima ballerina, dreaming of her earlier days with love and sadness one feverishly hot australian christmas. This gumnutcracker, made especially for the australian ballet, celebrates its 25th birthday in 2017 and is set to wow a new generation of audiences. The ballet is the story of clara, once a famous russian ballerina, who first came to australia in the 1940s.
It was shown on abctv on christmas eve and is due to be released on dvd by the abc in early january. Jun 04, 2017 retold as nutcracker the story of clara, tchaikovskys glorious score remains intact, transposed convincingly on a reverse telling of claras life an ageing russian ballet dancer who had danced around the world for the ballets russes before settling in melbourne. Tchaikovskys last great score for ballet, with its lively motifs and bewitching melodies, draws us into the story of clara, a young ballet student celebrating with. The tween foursome have been chosen to perform with the australian ballet for a season of a contemporary version of the nutcracker the story of clara at the sydney opera house this may. However, in most ballet versions of the story, the little girl who dreams of a living nutcracker is referred to as clara. Oct 31, 2018 enter claras trusty guide, nutcracker soldier phillip newcomer jayden foworaknight, and the keypilfering mouse king, creatively visualized here as a wriggling mass of mice that tests that. As in some musicals, murphy has three dancers to play clara at the different stages of her life as an elderly woman, a prima ballerina and a young girl which makes for some beautiful magical effects as they join togetherswap places. The australian ballet in graeme murphys nutcracker. West australian ballet west australian ballet the nutcracker. The nutcracker the story of clara creative collections. Twentyfive years after its debut, graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara remains a rarity a classical ballet set in australia for most people, ballet conjures images of distant. My stories are richer because of this world of multiculturalism graeme murphy tells us the origin story of his nutcracker the story of clara. The late kristian fredriksons set and costume designs are a big part of this productions appeal but its biggest strength is the way in which it blends the historical with the personal telling claras story as a russian ballet dancer who eventually settled in australia as a tribute to all those who did stay, forming the nucleus of. The australian ballet education teacher resource kit nutcracker story of clara 2 contents 05 synopsis 08 the creatives 10 spotlight on nutcracker the story of clara with artistic director david mcallister 11 the music 12 invitation to the dance.
The australian ballets nutcracker the story of clara, choreographed by graeme murphy. Loosely based on the reallife experiences of numerous russian dancers who came to call australia home, its far more accessible than the. Through choreographic storytelling, murphy has created a ballet masterpiece that strongly lives on 25 years later. Its all in kristian fredriksons incomparable designs for graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara. This gumnutcracker, made especially for the australian ballet, celebrates its 25th birthday in 2017. The australian ballet nutcracker story of clara sydney. Some twenty five years since its creation in 1992, graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara is as fresh and relevant as ever. The australian ballet in nutcracker the story of clara. From its first performance in 1992, graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara was recognised as a masterpiece the age graeme murphys acclaimed reimagining of the nutcracker, like his swan lake, masterfully weaves together the enchantment and fantasy of the beloved classic with emotional depth and a modern perspective. The story of clara has the soul of australia and attempts to redefine an old tale through an australian lens.
Graeme murphys nutcracker does far more than tell the story of clara, celebrating the backstory of vision, passion and talent that formed the. The story of clara melbourne the australian ballet presents nutcracker the story of clara an epic contemporary vision of ballets favourite tale graeme murphys acclaimed reimagining of the nutcracker, like his swan lake, masterfully weaves together the enchantment and fantasy of the beloved classic with emotional depth and. Loosely based on the reallife experiences of numerous russian dancers who came to call. Commissioned in 1992, this unconventional telling of the classic ballet won audiences over with its distinctly australian context and its exciting storytelling. Graeme murphy, an australian nutcracker, the australian ballet youtube video, may 9, 2017. In editing the ballet to a brisk 50 minutes, mcallister has successfully telescoped all elements. At the height of her joyous existence, the 1917 revolution breaks out and her beloved must leave for war. Nutcracker the story of clara departs from its whimsical forebear to tell a story grounded in realworld events and the history of ballet in australia.
Its definitely different, beautiful choreography but if you are looking for a traditional nutcracker to show your kids, this is not it. The nutcracker uses a narrator to tell the story of clara, who embarks on a magical journey where she encounters the sugar plum fairy, the mouse. The australian ballet is one of the worlds premier ballet companies and has delivered extraordinary performances for over 50 years. A commitment to artistic excellence, a spirited style and a willingness to take risks have defined the company from its earliest days, both onstage. Jun 08, 2017 nutcracker the story of clara choreographed by graeme murphy was presented by the australian ballet at the state theatre, arts centre, melbourne on wednesday june 7th 2017 for those new to my blog i write about the holistic experience of attending the theatre. Dec 26, 2018 because the nutcracker ballet developed from two versions of a single book, the lead role of the story is sometimes named clara and sometimes marie. Enter claras trusty guide, nutcracker soldier phillip newcomer jayden foworaknight, and the keypilfering mouse king, creatively visualized here as a wriggling mass of mice that tests that.
May 02, 2017 designs by the revered kristian fredrikson powerfully evoke claras world, from the shimmer of an australian summer to the glamour of tsarist russia. The true australian ballet is graeme murphy s nutcracker the story of clara, a landmark in the australian ballets repertoire since it premiered in 1992. We need australian storytelling in our ballet thats why the aussie. Though i chose to remain within the narrative, it should be noted that the artistry and assurance of stojmenov and. The nutcracker the story of clara is a fantastic and unique production that cements the australian ballet as a diverse company that represents australia and its history.
She knew winter in the southern hemisphere happened in the middle months of the year. Because the nutcracker ballet developed from two versions of a single book, the lead role of the story is sometimes named clara and sometimes marie. Jun 02, 2017 designs by the revered kristian fredrikson powerfully evoke claras world, from the shimmer of an australian summer to the glamour of tsarist russia. Justine summers see below is in that too, but the star is lisa pavane as swanilda. The australian ballets nutcracker tones down the yellowface and its a relief. Win tickets to the australian ballets storytime ballet. The artistic director of birmingham royal ballet has created a goldstandard production of this beloved party piece, remaining faithful to the feel of the 19thcentury original. Tab has two versions of nutcracker in its repertoire. Nutcracker the story of clara the australian ballet.
The true australian ballet is graeme murphys nutcracker the story of clara, a landmark in the australian ballets repertoire since it premiered in 1992. Set in a 19th century english winter wonderland, this magical, classical ballet will capture the heart and mind of the whole family as youre transported to the wonderful world of brave toy soldiers and dancing sugar canes. This glorious revival of graeme murphys nutcracker. In murphys radical retelling, clara is an elderly russian emigrant and former prima ballerina, dreaming of her earlier days with love and sadness one feverishly hot australian christmas eve in the late 1950s. May 08, 2017 jarryd madden and dimity azoury continue their rise through to the ranks of the australian ballet with a new promotion from soloist to senior artist. The story of clara, in which children boys in black shorts and white shirts, girls in white.
Swanilda friends the australian ballet, 1990 duration. May 18, 2017 the nutcracker the story of clara is a fantastic and unique production that cements the australian ballet as a diverse company that represents australia and its history. Many decades ago, when i was visiting canada, a young woman asked me whether christmas was in june in australia. Joan sutherland theatre, sydney opera house, 2 may. The story of clara, in which children boys in black. Tchaikovsky richard winsor, dominic north hd 1080p duration. Nutcracker the story of clara departs from the whimsical original to tell a story grounded in realworld events and the history of ballet in australia. As prima ballerina, she makes a triumphant debut as the sugar plum fairy in the nutcracker. The perfect first ballet experience packed with wonder and delight, the australian ballets storytime ballet is an interactive, narrated, educational ballet production that encourages kids to learn, discover the joy of makebelieve and magic and explore their love of dance. This interpretation of the nutcracker wont be exported to any major cities in europe, asia or the us unlike murphys swan lake. The new story, set in australia, makes the heroine into an elderly russian.
1389 225 74 979 59 907 1071 1361 498 574 904 386 1005 169 1 892 1231 1239 1044 757 1409 1294 1168 1257 1281 1086 258 1120 780 1147