Extreme Ballet – 20:21

Photo by Justin Ridler

Don’t miss 20:21 – Modern ballet pushed to physical extremes

With not a tutu or tiara in sight, The Australian Ballet presents a triple bill of contemporary ballet in 20:21 – three ballets celebrating the creative choreographic giants of the 20th century and the fresh visions of the 21st. 20:21 plays at Arts Centre Melbourne from 27 August to 5 September, before touring to Sydney Opera House from 5 to 21 November.
20:21 opens with George Balanchine’s powerful Symphony in Three Movements. An energetic ensemble of dancers blending angular movement with the vigour of jazz against Igor Stravinsky’s clean and crisp score.

Photo by Justin Ridler

Following is the world premiere of Resident Choreographer Tim Harbour‘s Filigree and Shadow, set to a contemporary electronic score and featuring set designs by cutting-edge Australian architect Kelvin Ho. Filigree and Shadow brings together cast members from across the ballet ranks as it pushes them to their physical limits.
Finally Twyla Tharp’s pulse-pounding In the Upper Room will set the stage alight with red pointe shoes, sneakers and the driving music of Philip Glass. Inspired by the Boston Marathon, Tharp’s work highlights the athleticism uniting sport and art.
20:21 lends a muscular, modern edge to The Australian Ballet’s Year of Beauty in 2015.
Take a look at Filigree and Shadow in rehearsal: https://youtu.be/bpkl10emWb8
Symphony In Three Movements (1946)
Choreography George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Repetiteur Eve Lawson
Music Igor Stravinsky
Filigree and Shadow (2015)
Choreography Tim Harbour
Music 48 Nord
In The Upper Room (1986)
Choreography Twyla Tharp
Music Philip Glass

20:21 DATES
MELBOURNE

27 AUGUST – 5 SEPTEMBER (11 performances)
Arts Centre Melbourne
with Orchestra Victoria
SYDNEY
5 – 21 NOVEMBER (18 performances)
Sydney Opera House
with Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra
Tickets on sale now at
www.australianballet.com.au Ph: 1300 369 741
Special Events:
Saturday, 29 August 2015 Join Artistic Director David McAllister for an intimate conversation with Principal Artist Andrew Killian.
Monday, 31 August 2015 – Stay behind after the 20:21 performance for a special Q&A. Artistic Director David McAllister will be joined by dancers Christopher Rodgers-Wilson and Ingrid Gow.