ARTISTIC DIRECTOR LI CUNXIN

PRINCIPAL PARTNER

Choreographed by Ben Stevenson obe

With the Queensland Symphony Orchestra

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12–23 DECEMBER, QPAC

THE NUTCRACKER

Cover Dancers: Meng Ningning and Hao Bin Creative Direction: Designfront Photographer: Harold David Styling: Peter Simon Phillips Make-up: Amber D, Senior Artist, MAC Hair: Kimberley Forbes for O&M

THE NUTCRACKER

SEASON 201412–23 DECEMBER, PLAYHOUSE QPAC

QGCPRINCIPAL PARTNER OF QUEENSLAND BALLET

Dancers: Natasha Kusch, Hao Bin and Rachael Walsh Photographer: David Kelly Art Direction: Designfront

TOGETHERWE’RE DOING

GOOD THINGS FOR QUEENSLAND

Choreographer Ben Stevenson obe

Music Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Conductor Andrew Mogrelia

Set Designer Thomas Boyd

Costume Designer Desmond Heeley

Associate Costume Designer Noelene Hill

Lighting Designer David Walters

Lighting re-created by Cameron Goerg

QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA*Concertmaster Warwick Adeney

ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN COLLEGE CHOIR (12–13 December) Director of Music Christine Taylor

VOICES OF BIRRALEE (16–20 December) Artistic Director Julie Christiansen oam

A classical ballet in two acts, based on ETA Hoffmann’s tale of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King (1816).

First produced on 18 December, 1892 by the Imperial Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre, St Petersburg, Russia.

Choreographed by Ben Stevenson in 1976, this production of The Nutcracker was first performed in 1987 by Houston Ballet in the Wortham Theater, Houston, Texas. Queensland Ballet’s first performance of this production was on 5 December, 2013.

The performance lasts approximately two hours with one 20-minute interval.

*The performances on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December will use recorded music.

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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

LI CUNXIN

Our Company receives support from many organisations and individuals. Two visionary benefactors, Amanda Talbot and Valmai Pidgeon, gave their particular support to the creation of this production. Others who help us to pursue big dreams are the Queensland and Federal Governments, Principal Partner QGC, and Major Partners BMW, JCDecaux and Virgin Australia, along with many other valued corporate partners and supporters. I make special mention of our Lead Partner Suncorp, whose Wish Upon a Ballet Star competition was embraced enthusiastically not only by the Company, but also by over 600 young ballet fans.

As the year draws to a close, we are looking forward to Season 2015. I offer my thanks to the thousands of patrons who have purchased season tickets for the coming year—your incredible support has seen another box office record tumble, and is a source of inspiration for us every single day.

From the Board, staff and dancers of Queensland Ballet, best wishes for a joyful and safe festive season. I am sure that you will enjoy the magical journey of The Nutcracker.

Reassuringly familiar, but still providing fresh delights. It’s a joy to bring this happy, festive ballet to our stage once again.

For me, one of the chief enjoyments of The Nutcracker is to see children become engrossed in the magical story. Their response creates a remarkable connection with the stage, which has been a source of wonder and pleasure to me since my own time as a dancer.

Ben Stevenson’s narrative ballets are a completely satisfying theatrical experience. He is a master at storytelling and his beautiful and enchanting choreography really brings the characters to life.

It was a great privilege to have legendary designer Desmond Heeley create the costume designs for this Nutcracker, which were interpreted with great flair by our Associate Costume Designer Noelene Hill. From the warmth of the Stahlbaum family’s home to the delicious Kingdom of Sweets, Set Designer Thomas Boyd created wonderful fantasy worlds, each of which sparkle with lighting by David Walters.

The Queensland Symphony Orchestra joins us again for this season. Under the baton of our Music Director and Principal Conductor, Andrew Mogrelia, the orchestra paints evocative musical pictures with Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score.

OUR ANNUAL PRESENTATION OF BEN STEVENSON’S THE NUTCRACKER IS LIKE A TREASURED FRIEND.

Photographer: Christian Tiger

QUEENSLAND BALLET RECEIVES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT THROUGH ARTS QUEENSLAND

Dancers: Hao Bin, Matthew Lawrence, Clare Morehen, Rachael Walsh Photographer: David Kelly Art direction: Designfront

DANCE FOR ALL QUEENSLANDERS

Li CunxinArtistic Director

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THE STORY OF THE NUTCRACKER

ACT 2Clara and the Nutcracker Prince continue their journey across the Lemonade Sea. When they arrive in the Kingdom of Sweets, the cooks are preparing delectable treats for their enjoyment and they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. In Clara’s honour, the Sugar Plum Fairy arranges for the inhabitants of her kingdom to entertain them while they eat by performing a Spanish dance, an Arabian dance and a Chinese dance. Clara is also entertained by the Dance of the Mirlitons, a dance with Mother Ginger and her children, a Russian dance and the Waltz of the Flowers. Then, the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier Prince dance a grand pas de deux.

As the celebration draws to a close, Clara drifts off to sleep. She awakens from her dreams as the Nutcracker salutes his Princess Clara.

ACT 1Herr Stahlbaum and his wife are giving a Christmas party. Clara and Fritz, their children, greet the guests. All the children are given toys by their parents. Suddenly, the mysterious Dr Drosselmeyer arrives and entertains the children with his magical tricks and wind-up dolls.

Dr Drosselmeyer brings a special gift for Clara, a wooden Nutcracker. In a jealous fit, Fritz breaks it, but Dr Drosselmeyer quickly repairs the Nutcracker. The party ends, the guests leave and the Stahlbaums retire for the night.

Clara awakens, the clock strikes midnight and the room fills with giant mice which attack her! Life-sized toy soldiers, led by the valiant Nutcracker, come to her rescue. The King Rat attacks the Nutcracker, but Clara hits him with her shoe and the Nutcracker wins the battle.

After the battle, the Nutcracker turns into a handsome prince. The Nutcracker Prince transforms the Stahlbaum’s house into the Land of Snow. The Snow Queen and the Snow Prince dance with the Snowflakes. Clara and the Nutcracker Prince depart for the Kingdom of Sweets in a beautiful, enchanted sleigh.

I N T E R VA L

Dancer: Hao Bin as the Nutcracker, Act 1 Photographer: David Kelly

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Ben Stevenson obeCHOREOGRAPHER

Ben Stevenson served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet from 1976–2003. He was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1999 and in 2000, he received the Dance Magazine Award. In 2003, he was appointed Artistic Director Emeritus of Houston Ballet, and the company’s school was renamed Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy.

English-born, Ben received his dance training at the Arts Educational School in London. He appeared with Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet and English National Ballet where, as a Principal Dancer, he performed leading roles in all the classics.

In 1967, he staged his first production, The Sleeping Beauty, starring Margot Fonteyn, for English National Ballet. In 1968, he was invited to New York to direct the newly formed Harkness Youth Dancers. After choreographing Cinderella in 1970 for the National Ballet in Washington DC, he joined the company in 1971 as co-director.

Ben has received numerous awards for his choreography, including gold medals at the International Ballet Competitions of 1972, 1982, and 1986. He assumed the artistic directorship of Texas Ballet Theater in 2003.

Queensland Ballet has also presented Ben’s production of Cinderella, and the short works, Three Preludes and La Esmeralda pas de deux.

CREATIVESFROM THE CHOREOGRAPHER

BEN STEVENSON

In the United States, The Nutcracker has become a holiday tradition in many families and the audience looks forward to it each and every year. What I particularly like about every production of The Nutcracker is that little children are performing on stage for the first time, while a lot of children are coming to the ballet for the first time. This makes it such a wonderful introduction to the ballet for children of all ages.

This production, beautifully designed by Thomas Boyd, is full of magic, excitement and elegance. The party scene in Act 1 is set in a farmhouse instead of the typical palace, and I have tried to insert humour to keep it less formal. The house is then magically transformed into the sparkling Land of Snow. Act 2 brings you to the enchanting Kingdom of Sweets, with the Sugar Plum Fairy and dances from around the globe.

I hope you make this Nutcracker a Christmas tradition in your family!

SEASON’S GREETINGS AND WELCOME TO THE NUTCRACKER.

Ben Stevenson obe

Thomas BoydSET DESIGNER

A native of Kansas, Thomas Boyd began his theatrical career as a performer in Chicago. He joined Houston Ballet in 1976, becoming Production Director in 1986.

Thomas’s designs for Houston Ballet, Memphis Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet, Boston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, National Ballet of Estonia, Ballet de Santiago, and National Ballet of China have included, for Ben Stevenson: Don Quixote (1995), Dracula (1997), Cleopatra (2000), The Fountain of Tears (2003), and The Nutcracker (2010); for Trey McIntyre: Memphis (1998) and Peter Pan (2002); for Natalie Weir, costumes and scenery for Steppenwolf (2002) and The Host (2004); and for Stanton Welch, scenery for Brigade (2006), The Four Seasons (2007), and The Core (2008).

Thomas has also designed the set for Queensland Ballet’s production of Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella and was appointed the Company’s Technical Director in March 2014.

Desmond HeeleyCOSTUME DESIGNER

In a legendary career spanning six decades, Desmond Heeley has designed for theatre, ballet and opera around the world, collaborating with many distinguished directors and choreographers, including Sir Peter Hall, Sir Laurence Olivier, John Cranko and Gian Carlo Menotti.

Desmond’s sets and costumes have graced such stages as the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Metropolitan Opera, and La Scala. He has designed for The Royal Shakespeare Company, American Ballet Theatre, English National Ballet, Houston Ballet, and many others. A long and glittering list of artists have worn his designs, among them Dame Margot Fonteyn, Mikhail Baryshinikov, Placido Domingo and actors Alan Bates, Vivien Leigh and Judi Dench.

The recipient of numerous awards, Desmond’s design artwork is held in museums and galleries worldwide, and in many private collections.0

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David WaltersLIGHTING DESIGNER

David Walters has designed lighting for opera, theatre, ballet, dance, puppetry, circus, and major events. He has lectured in lighting at several universities and is now an Adjunct Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology.

Resident Lighting Designer at Queensland Theatre Company from 1986 to 1990, David has worked for many companies, including Sydney and Melbourne Theatre Companies, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Playbox, Nimrod, Belvoir St, La Boite Theatre, QPAC, Opera Queensland, Expressions Dance Company and The Australian Ballet; and in Iceland, the National Theatre, National Opera and Reykjavik City Theatre. David has designed lighting for numerous ballets by François Klaus, and Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella. He received his first Matilda Award for lighting design in 1988, a Hall of Fame Award in 2011 and Gold Award in 2012.

Andrew Mogrelia MUSIC DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

Appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor in 2013, British conductor Andrew Mogrelia has worked annually with Queensland Ballet since 2008.

He has conducted many of Europe’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic, BBC Symphony, Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam, and Slovak Philharmonic, among others. In Australia, Andrew has conducted the Queensland and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras. He was Conductor-in-Residence at the Birmingham Conservatoire (UK) from 1992–2002, co-Music Director of the Dutch National Ballet from 1992–1994 and Music Director and Principal Conductor of the San Francisco Ballet from 2003 to 2005. Andrew has also worked with English National Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Finnish National Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, and American Ballet Theatre.

Andrew’s extensive discography includes recordings for Naxos and Marco Polo of orchestral works, numerous complete ballets and violin and piano concerti, which have received critical acclaim. This year he has guest conducted with the RTE National Symphony in Dublin, Royal Scottish National Orchestra in Glasgow and the Tasmanian Symphony. He will conduct a concert program with the Queensland Symphony in 2015.

Tchaikovsky composed The Nutcracker in 1893, one of the last compositions he would complete. He had just returned from a lengthy tour to the United States, where he had conducted many of his orchestral works in various concerts.

The instrumentation of this ballet is unique. Tchaikovsky opted for a traditionally-sized brass section but included a very large woodwind group, which primarily colours the moods, changes of scene and characters in the ballet. He also incorporated extra woodwind instruments, including piccolo, cor anglais and bass clarinet.

The most famous instrument he added is the celesta, which he had found in Paris some years earlier, and principally used to characterise the Sugar Plum Fairy in her Act 2 variation. Another highly unusual element is the children’s chorus, singing a repeated, wordless refrain for the Waltz of the Snow Flakes.

A truly magical part of the score is the way Tchaikovsky composed the harmony. The story begins in the Stahlbaums’ home and moves to the Land of Snow, the Kingdom of Sweets, and then ends up back in the family home. Technically, Tchaikovsky mirrored the change in scenes by starting the music in B flat major and working his way slowly through the keys until the end of Act 1, when he arrives in E major—the farthest key away from B flat. Just as the Kingdom of Sweets is about as far away as you can get from the Stahlbaums’ home!

I think everyone feels this musical journey and senses how the music is mirroring the story. The Nutcracker is an utterly enchanting score and a work of genius—arguably Tchaikovsky’s finest achievement.

Noelene HillASSOCIATE COSTUME DESIGNER

Noelene Hill has designed extensively for ballet and theatre, working with various companies as Set and Costume Designer (including a long association with La Boite Theatre), Wardrobe Co-ordinator, Costume Maker, Production Manager, and for QUT as a Theatrecraft tutor.

Resident Designer at Queensland Ballet since 2003, Noelene designed costumes for many ballets by François Klaus, including King Arthur & The Tales of Camelot, Fonteyn Remembered, A Streetcar Named Desire, Swan Lake, Carmen and Cloudland, among others.

Noelene has also designed for guest choreographers, among them Natalie Weir, Gareth Belling, Young Soon Hue, Louise Deleur and Kim McCarthy. She designed the sets for François Klaus’s The Amazing Magician goes Troppo and Timothy Brown’s Thread, and both sets and costumes for Natalie Weir’s Wuthering Heights, Petrushka and Orpheus. This year, Noelene designed the costumes for Greg Horsman’s Coppélia, which premièred in April.

THE NUTCRACKER MUSIC NOTE BY ANDREW MOGRELIA

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Li CunxinLi Cunxin has had a long and diverse career as an internationally acclaimed dancer. He was appointed as Queensland Ballet’s fifth Artistic Director in July 2012.

At the age of eleven, Li was selected by Madame Mao’s cultural advisors to attend the Beijing Dance Academy. In 1979, he joined Houston Ballet as an exchange student and went on to achieve the rank of Principal in 1982.

Amongst many awards and accolades, Li won two silver and one bronze medal at three international ballet competitions, and two Princess Grace Awards.

He moved to Melbourne in 1995 with his wife, dancer Mary McKendry, to join The Australian Ballet as a Principal Artist. Li retired from dancing in 1999, at the age of 38, but maintained his strong ties to the ballet community.

Following his performing career, Li worked in the finance industry as a senior manager at Bell Potter, one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia. Until his appointment as the Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet, Li sat on the board of The Australian Ballet from 2005 and the Bionics Institute.

In 2003, Li published his international best-selling autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer, which has received numerous awards and was adapted as a feature film in 2009. Li is Queensland’s Australian of the Year 2014.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Hao BinAfter training at the Beijing Dance Academy, Hao Bin joined the National Ballet of China. A Principal Dancer with that company, he toured in Europe, the USA and Asia and performed in many international galas. Hao Bin received a Jury Special Award at the 2004 Shanghai International Ballet Competition and was nominated as ‘Best Male Dancer of the Year’ in the Prix Benois de La Danse in 2011. His repertory includes principal roles in Swan Lake, Sylvia, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Romeo and Juliet, Onegin, The Sleeping Beauty, and many other works. Joining Queensland Ballet in 2011, he has performed major roles with great distinction.

Natasha KuschUkrainian-born Natasha Kusch studied at the College of Theatre in Dnjepropetrowsk and was a Soloist with Dnjepropetrowsk’s Theatre of Opera and Ballet. After studying at the Ballettkonservatorium of St Pölten, Austria, she danced in Cairo (Egypt) and Magdeburg (Germany). In 2005, she joined Vienna State Opera Ballet, and was promoted to Soloist in 2011. Natasha has danced leading roles in many ballets, including La Sylphide, Swan Lake, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet (Cranko and MacMillan), Onegin and Raymonda, amongst others. She joined Queensland Ballet as a Principal Dancer in August 2013.

PRINCIPAL DANCERS

Hao Bin Natasha KuschLi Cunxin

Matthew LawrenceMatthew Lawrence trained at The Australian Ballet School. He then joined The Australian Ballet, rising to Principal Artist, before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2008. Matthew has performed the leading roles in all the great classics, as well as works by modern choreographic luminaries. He has been a Guest Artist with Royal New Zealand Ballet, the World Ballet Festival in Japan, and Stuttgart Ballet. Matthew joined Queensland Ballet in 2013. He has also choreographed pieces for Birmingham Royal Ballet, Elmhurst School of Dance, Queensland Dance School of Excellence, and has choreographed In Minor Strain and A Night Out for Queensland Ballet’s Dance Dialogues seasons.

Meng NingningAfter graduating from the Beijing Dance Academy, Meng Ningning joined the National Ballet of China. As a Principal Dancer, her repertory included principal roles in many Chinese, contemporary and classical ballets, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Le Corsaire, and Raymonda. She won the gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Nagoya, Japan in 2002 and has been a guest at international festivals and galas. Meng Ningning has toured extensively and danced in Akram Kahn’s worldwide tour of Bahok. She joined Queensland Ballet in 2011, performing principal roles in all major productions since then. In 2013, she was a Guest Artist in Swan Lake at Richmond Ballet (USA).

Matthew Lawrence Meng Ningning Clare Morehen Paul Boyd

Clare MorehenClare Morehen trained at the Royal Ballet School and the Victorian College of the Arts. While a student, Clare performed with the Royal Ballet in several productions and toured with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Clare returned to Australia to join Queensland Ballet in 2004. Promoted to Soloist in 2007 and Principal in 2009, Clare has danced featured roles in many works by François Klaus and other choreographers, including Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Ben Stevenson, Nils Christe, and Natalie Weir.

GUEST ARTISTPaul BoydPaul Boyd was a Principal Dancer in European companies and at Queensland Ballet for over 20 years. He danced the major classics and works by contemporary masters, receiving two prestigious German Critics Awards. Paul’s choreographic works have been performed by Queensland Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Basel Ballet, Hamburg’s Bundesjugendballett, Suzhou Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet School, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, WAAPA, QUT, Sydney City Youth Ballet, and Hong Kong Ballet Group. He has been Guest Teacher at the Royal Ballet School, Hong Kong Ballet, Semperoper and Deutsche Oper am Rhein (Germany), West Australian Ballet and and Architanz (Tokyo). Paul is currently Associate Teacher at Queensland Ballet.

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Lisa EdwardsAfter graduating from The Australian Ballet School in 1999, Lisa Edwards moved to Switzerland where she danced with the Stadttheater St Gallen, followed by the Anhaltisches Theater Dessau and Stadttheater Koblenz in Germany. Lisa joined Queensland Ballet in 2004. She has danced featured roles in many works by François Klaus and more recently, Ben Stevenson, and worked with contemporary choreographers such as Nils Christe, Mario Schroeder and Gareth Belling. Lisa has toured with the Company to Europe and Asia, and was promoted to Soloist in 2013.

Nathan SciclunaIn Sydney, Nathan Scicluna studied at the Tanya Pearson Classical Coaching Academy and MacDonald College. After graduating from The Australian Ballet School, he joined Queensland Ballet in 2005, and was promoted to Soloist in 2007. Nathan has danced many major roles, including those in François Klaus’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Oberon) and Carmen (Don José), works by Natalie Weir, and Ai-Gul Gaisina’s 2013 staging of Giselle (Albrecht). He has toured with the Company to Germany and Switzerland, Singapore, Japan and China.

SOLOISTS

Lisa Edwards Nathan Scicluna Shane Wuerthner Emilio Pavan

Shane WuerthnerAmerican-born Shane Wuerthner trained at San Francisco Ballet School and at Washington, DC’s Kirov Academy. Shane performed with Vienna State Opera Ballet as a corps de ballet member and demi-Soloist before being promoted to Soloist in January 2012. He joined San Francisco Ballet as a Soloist in 2013. His diverse repertory includes principal roles in the major classics and in works by George Balanchine, John Cranko, Jorma Elo, Jiří Kylián, John Neumeier, Twyla Tharp, and Renato Zanella. Shane joined Queensland Ballet as a Soloist in August 2014.

Emilio PavanJUNIOR SOLOIST

Born in Newcastle, Emilio Pavan began his dance training at Newcastle Dance Academy. Following his graduation from The Australian Ballet School in 2012 with second class honours, he joined Queensland Ballet as a Company Dancer in January 2013. Repertoire highlights include Franz in Greg Horsman’s Coppélia, Prince in Ben Stevenson’s The Nutcracker, George Balanchine’s Serenade and Romeo in Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet. Emilio was promoted to Junior Soloist in November 2014.

Dancer: Teri Crilly as Clara with children, Act 1 Photographer David Kelly

Thank you to all the young ballet lovers who entered Suncorp’s

Wish Upon a Ballet Star competition. Over 600 Queensland children

leapt at the chance to share stories with us!

From many entries which deserved to be recognised, a group

of outstanding finalists was selected: Chloe Ernst, Joy Kordic,

Oliver McAuliffe, William McIntosh, Eva Mizrahi, Abigail Okimoto, Salvanna Ross, Eliza Tape and Holly Watts. Congratulations

to all finalists and to the winner, Olivia Nason, whose passion for ballet shines so brightly.

Olivia’s ballet wish comes true with a walk-on role in the matinee performance of The Nutcracker on 23 December, plus family passes

to all of our ballets at QPAC in Season 2015.

Discover more about these aspiring ballet stars, and the recipient of the People’s Choice Award, at

queenslandballet.com.au/latest.

SUNCORP’S WISH UPON

A BALLET STAR

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COMPANY DANCERS

JETTE PARKER YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

Vito Bernasconi Teri Crilly Zach Fang Eleanor Freeman Tamara Hanton Mia Heathcote

Lina Kim Jack Lister Vanessa Morelli Alec Roberts Katherine Rooke Tara Schaufuss

Joseph Stewart Mia Thompson Rian Thompson Sarah Thompson Sophie Zoricic

Nathan Brook

Liam Fien

Roman Frey

Martha Godber

Brydee Lyttle

Charles Riddiford

Yael Shervashidze

Neneka Yoshida

Also appearing in The Nutcracker: Marie-Claire D’Lyse, Alexander Idaszak

Act 1 children and Ginger Children: Kieren Bofinger*, Ashleigh Brant, Lucy Christodoulou*, Edward (Ted) Cooper*, Harrison Fletcher, Sophie Ginnivan, Abbey Haller, Eden Harder, Natalia Hines, Jack Jones, Bronte Kelly, Sophie Kendall, Allegra Keneally, Ireland Knowles, Samuel Macpherson, Matthew Maxwell*, Eden McAuliffe*, Olivia Nassar, Emma Olivier*, Alexander Pierides, Andrew Pierides, Jayde Radonova, Dominic Schwantes, Amity Wolff, Brianna Wood-Lambert, Eve Zelich*Queensland Ballet Junior Program 2014 students

QUEENSLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CONCERTMASTERWarwick Adeney

VIOLIN 1Rebecca Seymour ^Linda CarelloPriscilla Hocking Ann HoltzapffelStephen Phillips Joan Shih Brenda Sullivan Brynley White

VIOLIN 2Wayne Brennan ~Faina Dobrenko +Jane BurroughsSimon DobrenkoDelia KinmontNatalie LowTim Marchmont Helen Travers

VIOLAYoko Okayasu ~Charlotte Burbrook de Vere +Kirsten Hulin-Bobart Jann Keir-Haantera Nicholas Tomkin

CELLODavid Lale ~Matthew Kinmont +Kathryn Close Craig Allister YoungDaniel Smith

DOUBLE BASSDushan Walkowicz =Paul O’Brien +Marian Heckenberg

FLUTEHayley Radke >>Karen Schofield

PICCOLOSimo Haantera ^

OBOESarah Meagher >>Alexa Murray

COR ANGLAISVivienne Brooke *

CLARINETBrian Catchlove +Kate Travers

BASS CLARINETNicholas Harmsen *

BASSOONDavid Mitchell >>Claire Ramuscak *

FRENCH HORNPeter Luff >>Lauren Manuel

TRUMPETRichard Madden >>

TROMBONEDale Truscott >>

BASS TROMBONEJake Mirabito ^

HARPJill Atkinson *

TIMPANIAndrew Knox ^

PERCUSSIONJosh DeMarchi >>

CELESTAKylie Foster ^

PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM 2014Ashleigh Bennett

D’Arcy Brazier

Beth Brockett

Harley Campbell

Abbey Dawson

Zoe Doonar

Zac Dun

Isabella Elordi

Indya Gardner

Liam Geck

Jack Gibbs

Alison Goodwin

Ariana Hond

Hannah Hughes

Benjamin Obst

Samuel Packer

Caitlin Stejskal

Douglas Stewart

Georgia Swan

Ari Thompson

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Bring your little ballet fans to a fun-filled day of kids’

activities, dance workshops and behind-the-scenes

glimpses into our fairy tale ballet world.

FREE ENTRYSunday 1 February

10am–2pmThomas Dixon Centre

Cnr Drake St & Montague RdWest End

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QUEENSLANDBALLET.COM.AU/TUTUDAY

Co-presented by PW Dance & Sportswear

ChairmanGreg Wanchap

Chief Executive OfficerSophie Galaise

~ Section Principal= Acting Section Principal>> Associate Principal + Acting Associate Principal* Principal ^ Acting Principal

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ARTISTIC STAFF

Kylie FosterCOMPANY PIANIST

Kylie Foster has been working as a professional musician for the past 17 years. While at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, she established herself as a sought-after musician and musical director. She has worked with over 300 artists in all musical styles, including classical, jazz, Latin and contemporary. Kylie has toured Australia and overseas with local and international artists, including Venetta Fields, Jackie Love, The Drifters, and The Platters.

Kylie has been playing for dance classes for over ten years, working for the Queensland Dance School of Excellence, The Australian Ballet School, English National Ballet School when in Brisbane, and as an examination pianist for the Royal Academy of Dance. Kylie is in demand in all musical genres and as a session musician. She joined Queensland Ballet as Company Pianist in 2013.

Greg HorsmanBALLET MASTER

Greg Horsman joined The Australian Ballet in 1982, rising to Principal Artist in 1987. During twelve years with the company, he performed all the major classical roles and worked with some of the finest choreographers of the time. He has been a guest Principal with the Kirov Ballet and Royal Danish Ballet, among others. In 1994, Greg joined English National Ballet (ENB), and in 1998 he was appointed Artistic Director of Ballet Central at London’s Central School of Ballet. In 2001, he joined Northern Ballet Theatre in Leeds as Ballet Master, and in 2003 returned to ENB as Ballet Master and Répétiteur. He has been a guest teacher at many international companies.

In 2006, Greg became Ballet Master at Royal New Zealand Ballet, where his production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2011 won wide acclaim. He joined Queensland Ballet as Ballet Master in 2013. His works Verdi Variations and One More Breath were performed by the Company in 2013, and his new production of Coppélia premièred in April this year.

Mary LiBALLET MISTRESS

Mary Li (formerly Mary McKendry) began her dance training in Australia and continued at the Royal Ballet School in London. She joined London Festival Ballet (English National Ballet) in 1977 and was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1981. She joined Houston Ballet in 1985. During her performing career, Mary danced principal roles in all the major classical ballets, and leading roles in contemporary ballets. Many new ballets were created on her. She has worked with legendary teachers, choreographers, artistic directors and artists, including Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, Margot Fonteyn, and many others. Mary and her husband Li Cunxin have danced together all over the world.

Since retiring from dancing in 1992, Mary has been invited to teach and coach in many international ballet companies. She was a teacher and coach at The Australian Ballet for 10 years, and joined Queensland Ballet as Ballet Mistress in 2013.

Janette MulliganBALLET MISTRESS

Janette graduated as dux of The Australian Ballet School before joining London Festival Ballet (English National Ballet), where she was promoted to Senior Principal. Janette’s extensive repertoire included major classical ballets and contemporary works by Rudolf Nureyev, Ben Stevenson, Glen Tetley, George Balanchine, Alvin Ailey, John Cranko, Natalia Makarova, Ronald Hynd, and John Neumeier, among others. In short ballets created on her, Janette won critical acclaim in works by Ben Stevenson and Christopher Bruce. Janette danced with numerous illustrious partners, including Rudolf Nureyev, Peter Schaufuss, Kevin McKenzie, Patrick Armand and Fernando Bujones, and performed with Dame Margot Fonteyn. She also featured in two films: La Sylphide and The Magic of Dance.

On retirement, Janette held the prestigious position of Ballet Mistress with the Royal Danish Ballet. As an international guest teacher, Janette taught at the English National Ballet School, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, Ballet Rambert, Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, The Australian Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet and Sydney Dance Company. She joined Queensland Ballet in 2013 as Ballet Mistress and performs with the Company as a Guest Artist.

Christian Tátchev DIRECTOR OF TRAINING

Christian Tátchev trained at the National School of Choreography in Sofia, Bulgaria. He began his professional career at age 16, dancing his first leading roles shortly after and reaching the rank of Principal Dancer in 2000. He has danced most of the major classical roles as well as works by celebrated choreographers of modern times.

Christian has worked with the National Opera and Ballet and Ballet Arabesque in Sofia, and in South Africa, with PACT Ballet Company, Cape Town City Ballet and South African Ballet Theatre (SABT). There, he taught extensively at SABT’s ballet academy, was appointed Company Coach and choreographed a version of Don Quixote.

Christian joined Queensland Ballet as a Princpal Dancer in 2008. He retired from the stage in September 2011 and was appointed Ballet Master in 2012. He took up the position of Director of Training in 2013.

Kylie Foster Greg Horsman Mary Li Janette Mulligan Christian Tátchev

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QUEENSLAND BALLETPATRONHis Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey ac, Governor of Queensland

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairBrett ClarkDeputy ChairJustice David ThomasDirectorsWinna Brown, Peter Godber, Catriona Mordant, Assoc. Prof. Gene Moyle, Amanda Talbot

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSMarlene Collins, Pauline Crowe, Lynette Denny am, Prof. Ashley Goldsworthy ao obe, Kevin Hodges, Patrick Kelly, François Klaus, Valerie Lisner, Margaret Lucas oam, John Matthews, Dr Neil McCormack, Adjunct Prof. Joan Sheldon am, Neil Summerson

DANCERSPrincipal DancersHao Bin, Natasha Kusch, Matthew Lawrence, Meng Ningning, Clare Morehen SoloistsLisa Edwards, Nathan Scicluna, Shane WuerthnerJunior SoloistEmilio PavanCompany DancersVito Bernasconi, Teri Crilly, Zach Fang, Eleanor Freeman, Tamara Hanton, Mia Heathcote, Lina Kim, Jack Lister, Vanessa Morelli, Alec Roberts, Katherine Rooke, Tara Schaufuss, Joseph Stewart, Mia Thompson, Rian Thompson, Sarah Thompson, Sophie Zoricic

Jette Parker Young Artist ProgramNathan Brook, Liam Fien, Roman Frey, Martha Godber, Brydee Lyttle, Charles Riddiford, Yael Shervashidze, Neneka Yoshida

COMPANY PERSONNEL

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Li Cunxin

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERAnna Marsden

ARTISTICGreg Horsman Ballet MasterMary Li Ballet MistressJanette Mulligan Ballet MistressErin Wright Company Manager

TRAININGPaul Boyd Associate TeacherChristian Tátchev Director of Training

PRODUCTIONThomas Boyd Technical DirectorCameron Goerg Technical Supervisor & Head ElectricianNoelene Hill Wardrobe Production Manager & Resident DesignerAnna Ilic Principal Cutter & Workroom SupervisorShaun O’Rourke Production Stage ManagerFrances Pyper Assistant Workroom & Performance Wardrobe Supervisor

MUSICKylie Foster Company PianistAndrew Mogrelia Music Director & Principal Conductor PIANISTS Brian Adamson, Gary Dionysius, Brett Sturdy

DEVELOPMENTZoe Connolly Philanthropy ManagerChristian Rocha-Adames Corporate Partnerships Manager Jessica Rose Events ManagerDilshani Weerasinghe Development Director

M ARKETINGJean Attwater Corporate Communications ManagerAlana Capra Marketing & Audience Development DirectorKirby Leadle Marketing ExecutiveJake Shavikin Patron Services Co-ordinatorNatasha Spong Publicist & Digital Content ProducerDimity Vowles Patron Services Manager (Maternity Leave)

FINANCELynne Masters Finance ManagerNarelle Sutton Finance Administrator

OPERATIONSCampbell Misfeld Maintenance OfficerAmanda Newman Office Co-ordinatorVictoria Winter Administrative Assistant

EDUCATIONTimothy Brown Dance Classes Co-ordinatorErin White Education ManagerJacob Williams Schools Program Co-ordinatorEDSQUAD Timothy Brown, Alice Hall, Sally Ringland, Emma Taylor

MEDICALPedro Alcobio Company MasseurZara Gomes Director of Performance Medicine Rachele Quested PhysiotherapistNicole Vass Physiotherapist / Pilates

PRODUCTION CREDITS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Technical Director Thomas Boyd

Production Stage Manager Shaun O’Rourke

Assistant Stage Managers Heather O’Keeffe, Rebecca Li

Head Electrician Cameron Goerg

Head Mechanist Dan Villiers

Deputy Head Mechanist Tom Paine

Scenic Art – Sets Shaun Caulfield

Backdrops painted by Scenic Studios

Set Construction Iceworks Design

Additional Set ConstructionCampbell Misfeld, Queensland Theatre Company, Show Works

Set ElectricsScott Chiverton

Prop Makers Bruce Pickup, Myles Stonecutter, Gary Cameron

TransportRoadpro Event Services/ Russell Austen

Rag Dolls made by Joan Hall, Barbara Sheppard

Rehearsal Pianists Kylie Foster, Brett Sturdy

Orchestra Librarian Nadia Myers

Wardrobe Production ManagerNoelene Hill

Queensland Performing Arts Centre PO Box 3567, South Bank QLD 4101 Tel: (07) 3840 7444 / Web: qpac.com.auChair Chris Freeman am

Deputy Chair Rhonda White ao

Trustees Kylie Blucher, Simon Gallaher, Sophie Mitchell, Mick Power am

Chief Executive John Kotzas

The Queensland Performing Arts Trust is a Statutory Authority of the State of Queensland and is partially funded by the Queensland Government

The Honourable Ian Walker mp Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts

Director-General, Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts: Sue Rickerby

Patrons are advised that the Performing Arts Centre has EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES, a FIRE ALARM system and EXIT passageways. In case of an alert, patrons should remain calm, look for the closest EXIT sign in GREEN, listen to and comply with directions given by the in-house trained attendants and move in an orderly fashion to the open spaces outside the Centre.

Queensland Ballet was founded in 1960 by Charles Lisner obe. Queensland Ballet is a member of Live Performance Australia and the Australian Major Performing Arts Group, and supports the Actors and Entertainers Benevolent Fund (Qld).

Information in this program is correct at the time of printing.

Principal Cutter & Workroom SupervisorAnna Ilic

Head Costumier & Wardrobe Theatre SupervisorFrances Pyper

CuttersSaffron Firkins, Erin Krosch, Peggy Moad, Arlie McGill, Gayle McGregor, Louise Gerard, Sharon Clarke, Lara Barwick

Senior Costumier Isabelle Lacombe

Costume MakersKathryn Lee, Hannah Gartside, Jayne Warrington, Anne Tytherleigh, Rebekah Ellis, Michelle Wiki, Leesa Harris, Millie Adams, Kate Abernathy

HeadpiecesSuzie Rodgers Assistants: Annika Forzberg, Juanita Flett, Jill Walton

MillineryKathi Slee

Ginger Children HatsTorb & Reiner

WigsMichael Green

Character Masks for Nutcracker, King Rat, Mice, Soldiers and HorsesMarion Hoad

Art FinisherNatalie Ryner Assistant: Gary Samways

TightsAlison Fullwood

Wardrobe Assistant/TraineeZenia Tátcheva, Zoe Gibson

Costume Dressing & MaintenanceFrances Pyper, Isabelle Lacombe, Erin Krosch, Anne Tytherleigh

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OUR SUPPORTERS

Queensland Ballet supporters are part of the artistic process, assisting us to create magical productions, train gifted young dancers, and make dance accessible to as wide an audience as possible. If you would like to know more about our philanthropic programs, please contact us on 07 3013 6658 or email development@queenslandballet.com.au.

Queensland Ballet gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the following:

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR’S CIRCLEThe Jani Haenke Charitable Trust Oak FoundationValmai Pidgeon am Patricia MacDonald Foundation Gerry & Val Ryan Amanda Talbot Tim Fairfax Family Foundation

BENEFACTORSAnonymous (1) Robert Albert ao Philip Bacon amColin BellVeronika Butta Robin Campbell & Bruce Parncutt Jack & Sharon CowinFrazer Family FoundationLynn HarveyKhitercs Hirai Foundation RBS Morgans Foundation John T Reid Charitable Trusts

CHARLES LISNER CIRCLENotified Bequests:Anonymous (6)Donald Robson Jane SteinbergReceived Bequests:The Estate of Dr Alf HowardKaye Brain Dance Education Fund

PRINCIPAL DANCERS’ CIRCLEAnonymous (2)Brett & Maria ClarkIan & Cass GeorgeThe Menegazzo FamilyAnne SymonsDr Lily Vrtik

DANCERS’ CIRCLEAnonymous (7)Mary & John BarlowDr Julie BeebyAndrew & Sharon BettsDarren & Carmel BrownSusan BrownWinna & Russell BrownRoslyn CarterJohn & Lynnly Chalk

Sharyn CrawfordJane Douglass amBarbara DuhigBen & Cate DukeRon & Margot FinneyPeter & Susie GodberIan & Helen HealyRoy B HoskinsRobyn & Ray HüttenmeisterDr Joan M Lawrence amLi Cunxin & Mary LiSteve MargolisMary-Rita & Dominic McGannHelen & Dan McVayDr Cathryn MittelheuserAmanda & Andrew MolloyJennifer MorrisonDenise O’BoyleOlive OswaldMarion PenderRoss & Jennifer PerrettLynn Rainbow-ReidDarryl & Kate SimStack Family FoundationJustice David Thomas & Jane Thomas Bill & Susan ThompsonRobyn & Todd WanlessLiz & Graeme Wikman

SUPPORTERSAnonymous (58), John Alcock, Julieanne Alroe, Lyn & Peter Ammundsen, Pitre & Monique Anderson, Brian & Pam Andrew, Therese Armstrong, Ascot School of Dance, Barbara Bedwell, Carmel Beggs, JC & JM Bell, Trudy Bennett, Michael Berger, Virginia Bishop, Lesley Breton, Helen & Siobhan Brodie, Marie Byrne, Annelisje Cameron, Elene Carides, Ann Caston, Michelle Chittenden, Bob Cleland, Barry Cowdell, Carolyn Craig, Peter & Althea Crowley, Ailbhe Cunningham, Debra Cunningham, Jacky Da Costa, Robin Darling, Dr C. V. Davison, Laurie Deane, John & Pamela Douglas, Mrs Rosemary N Douglas, Mary Duggan, Rodney & Ingrid Dyer, Hazel Eivers, The Michael & Dalia Engler Revocable Trust, Paul Evans, Joan Fleury, Jennifer Forrester, Penelope Fraser-Benson, Foundations Consulting Pty Ltd, Troy & Karelia Gianduzzo, Alanah Giles, Judith Giles, Lorraine Glynn, Judy Graham,

Michael Graham, Judith Gray, Anita Green, Jennifer Green, Mr & Mrs Allan Green, Pamela Gribben, John & Lois Griffin, Danielle Guinea, Sandra Haggarty, Joan Hall, Merelie Hall, Andrea Hall-Brown, Ruth Hamlyn-Harris, Dr Alana Harris, Richard F Haskayne, Jean Heingartner, Mr & Mrs Mark Hickman, Mary Hill, Dorothy Hills, Mervyn Holland, John Holt, Susan Hoopmann, Dr & Mrs K Hoyle, Ashley Jake Hudson, Jodie-Belinda Hughes, Elspeth Hyde, Anne Jones, Sharon Kelly, Beverley Kent, Leanne Kerr, Ross Krieg, Andrea Kriewaldt, Diane Lally, Ellen Mary Lamont, Marianne Leese, Marion Leggo, Dr Frank Leschhorn, Lurlene Livingstone, B Lloyd, Elizabeth MacIntosh, C Mackay, Dr J Douglas McConnell, Robert & Dana McCown, Kay McIntosh, Thomas McKaskill, McLaren Family, Philip & Margaret McMurdo, Tom & Sandra McVeigh, Georgia Martin, Therese McCabe, Keith McCamley, Leo Meissner, Anthony Mellick, Doug Merritt, Gino Milani, Daniel Miles, Desmond B Misso Esq., Mrs Christine Moore, Merv & Lynette Moore, Karl Morris, Michael & Jacqueline Morrow, Alice Myers, Kathleen Nowik, Jennifer Parslow, Lorraine Patterson, Jonathon Perrett, Leah Perry, Darryl & Yvonne Plummer, Caroline Poon, Prof. Colin Power am, Jack Price, Lindy Quinn, Martin Quinn, Lindy Ralph, Bruce Richardson, Elizabeth Riches, Don Roberston, Maguerite Robertson, Barbara Robins, Donald Robson & Lucien Castand, Pamela Robson, Rhyl Row, Lynne Rule, Judy Russell, Ross Sadler, Ruth Sapsford, William & Alison Semple, Benjamin Shohet, Robynne Siemon, Elizabeth Smith, Kel & Christine Spencer, Trevor St Baker, Rebecca Stack, Anita Steinerts, Sabine Stinn, Laura Sweeney, Allan & Rhondda Taffs, Narelle Thomas, Patricia Tyler, Okuno Tomoko, UrbanPlus Pty Ltd, Sue Urquhart, Sharyn Van Alphen, Barry & Sue Vivian, Beryl & Michael Ward, Alycia Watson, Dr William H Watts am & Mrs Lindsay Watts, Patricia Webb, Adelaide Wiley, Colleen Wilson, Susan Wilson, Stacey Winch, Jessie Yeowart, Robert Young oam, Eve Zelich, Marina Zelich, Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck, Vince & Glenda Zoricic, In Loving Memory of Walter Fernance

Our thanks go to everyone who has shown their support by donating to Queensland Ballet. Every gift, large or small, helps us to achieve our vision.

OUR PARTNERS

G OV ER N M EN T P R I N CI PA L PA R T N ER

M A J O R PA R T N ER SL E A D PA R T N ER

S E A S O N PA R T N ER S

M ED I A PA R T N ER

Queensland Ballet gratefully acknowledges the support of the following partners:

Designfront

O FFI CI A L SU P P L I ER S Aesop, Coconut Groove, DB Schenker, French Flowers, Healthworks West End, Luscious Blooms (opening night theming), Theme & Variations, Through the Looking Glass, Veracity Business Solutions, White Rabbit Brewery, Yellow Cabs (Qld)

CO R P O R AT E CLU B FIIG Securities, Queensland X-Ray

R ES TAU R A N T PA R T N ER S Augustine’s on George, the gunshop café, Urbane

Queensland Ballet welcomes you to contact us if you would like to be involved. Please phone 07 3013 6635 or email development@queenslandballet.com.au

SU P P O R T PA R T N ER S

Acknowledgements correct at 20 November 2014.

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The Thomas Dixon CentreCnr Drake Street & Montague Road, West End QLD 4101PO Box 3791, South Brisbane QLD 4101Phone 61 7 3013 6666Fax 61 7 3013 6600Email mail@queenslandballet.com.au

Q U EEN S L A N D B A L L E T.CO M . AU

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