Derek Deane to Present a Grand Version of SWAN LAKE

In a unique collaboration between the Shanghai Ballet and renowned British choreographer Derek Deane, a grand production of SWAN LAKE with 80 dancers, will open exclusively at Melbourne's Regent Theatre on 20th April 2017 for a week of dazzling performances.

From China's cultural capital, the Shanghai Ballet showcases impeccable skill, with some of the most precise and graceful dancers Australia has ever seen. Audiences will experience the perfection of Deane's impressive interpretation of the Tchaikovsky classic in this incomparable and exquisite production of SWAN LAKE.

Along with 450 stunning costumes and 10 tonnes of scenery, the Shanghai Ballet's 80 dancers, including 48 beautiful swans, will grace the stage of the Regent Theatre in a truly lavish and spectacular production of SWAN LAKE. It is one of the most beloved ballets in the world and tells the classic love story between Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess Odette divided by the villainous sorcerer Rothbart in a story where true love conquers all.

Derek Deane remarked "The enduring popularity of SWAN LAKE is a testament to the appeal of traditional ballets. People can't get enough of this story and choreographers like myself keep putting their individual stamp on it. The corps of the Shanghai Ballet rivals that of any world famous company, and is reason enough to see this unique production. It is also extremely rare to see a SWAN LAKE of this size."

With over a thirty year dance history, the Shanghai Ballet holds a predominant position in ballet circles in China and around the world. The company have created and staged many acclaimed and varied ballets including: Jane Eyre (Patrick de BANA), The Butterfly Lovers (XIN Lili), A Sigh of Love (Bertrand d'At), Echoes of Eternity (Patrick de BANA), Hamlet (Derek Deane), The Last Mission of Marco Polo (Jose Martinez), Shanghai Grand Theatre's version The Nutcracker (Derek Deane). The repertoire of the company includes Romeo and Juliet (Derek Deane), Coppelia (Pierre Lacotte), La Sylphide (Jean-Paul Gravier), The Nutcracker (Tetsutaro Shimizu), Giselle, Don Quixote, Balanchine and Beyond, The Ode of Joy - Gala Performance.

SWAN LAKE has captivated the world for over a hundred years, partly because of its technical demands and attendant prestige. In other words, SWAN LAKE is a ballerina's Hamlet. This production will be the first time that SWAN LAKE has been performed in Australia in a theatre with a deluxe swan flock lineup.

Presented by Andrew Guild and Simon Bryce - Theatre Tours International.

PERFORMANCE TIMES: 7:30pm - Thur 20th April - Sat 22nd April / 2pm matinee Sun 23rd April / 6:30pm - Mon 24th April

Venue: Regent Theatre, 191 Collins St, Melbourne
Tickets: $59 - $179 + Transaction fees
Bookings: 1300 111 011 / Ticketmaster.com.au

DEREK DEANE - BIOGRAPHY

After his training at The Royal Ballet School, Derek Deane went on to join Royal Ballet Company in 1972. Deane was promoted to Soloist in 1977, Principal Dancer in 1980 and then to Senior Principal Dancer in 1982. There, Deane danced some of ballet's most memorable roles, including Prince in Swan Lake; Romeo, Benvolio and Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet; and Prince Rudolf in Mayerling.

Deane worked with some of the era's most respected choreographers, including Macmillan, Ashton, Balanchine, Van Manen, Neumeier, Tetley, Nureyev, Wright and Bintley. After retiring from the stage, he went on to become the resident choreographer and Assistant to the Director of Teatro Del Opera Di Roma in 1990, before rising to Artistic Director of English National Ballet in 1993.

Ballets Deane has created for English National Ballet include, Giselle, Alice in Wonderland, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, Strictly Gershwin and Romeo and Juliet. Many of these works Deane has re-created for the hugely successful "in the round" productions for the Royal Albert Hall, including Swan Lake, seen by over 500,000 people worldwide.

Derek Deane is continually travelling not just on choreographic assignments but also as a much sought after teacher, coach and repetiteur . He has on going associations with The Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet School as well as the English National Ballet, La Scala Milan, Teatro del Opera di Roma, the Pittsburgh Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Ballet du Toulouse and the National Ballet of Croatia.

Derek Deane has featured in several Television documentaries including Princess Diana, Her Lifeand Diana, Her true story. He was the subject of the ballet documentaries Boss' Diary. A year in the life of an Artistic Director, and Agony and Ecstasy - The making of Swan Lake.

Deane has twice been nominated for Laurence Olivier Awards, and was awarded the OBE in Her Majesty The Queen's New Years honours list 2000. 2016 sees Deane working on a new creation of Hamlet (Shanghai National Ballet), Swan Lake (English National Ballet) and The Lady of the Camellias (Teatro San Carlo Naples) as well as Strictly Gershwin with Queensland Ballet.

To post a comment, you must register and login.