Virtual dance bonanza: Australia’s dance companies stream works

Don’t miss out on this special offering of Australia’s best dance available online.

Free cinema-quality digital brings full length ballets to you at home.

Enchant your hours with refined storytelling and technique or take this chance to brush up on your classical dance knowledge via BalletTV at The Australian Ballet’s 2020 Digital Season.

From 1-14 May, Graeme Murphy’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragic romance Romeo & Juliet features. 

Murphy, the founding Artistic Director of Sydney Dance Company, has previously reworked another classic for The Company, Swan Lake, as well as choreographing his own original Aussie version of Nutcracker, and has a new version of Oscar Wilde’s children’s tale, The Little Prince, set to premiere late 2020. 

TAB Romeo Juliet Streaming

Murphy’s Romeo And Juliet full length ballet

Next up is a contemporary Triple Bill from 14-28 May, followed by two ballet classics, Pacquita and Les Sylphides from 28 May – 5 June.

Absorb yourself in background details also having special access to the rehearsal process, the costume department (who hasn’t wanted to see their many tutus?), and read essential notes in the specialist Viewing Guide.

TAB At Home With Studo_ClassesWant to use ISO as your chance to trial standing at ‘the barre’(the elevated timber support dancers use for daily practice, Scott Morrison)?

Aside from offering free Adult Ballet classes through April, available to stream is Dancing with David, an instructional series of simple ballet exercises demonstrated by the Artistic Director and former Company Principal Danseur, David McAllister.

These included: how to do a plie(leg bends); port de bras(carriage of the arms); or leg swings(warm up).

Sign up to Ballet TV, get behind-the-scenes insight into daily class or David In Conversation as well as education and aged care programs. The Australian Ballet Shop is also a cool place for gifts with some surprising options- see Soloist Jake Mangakahia’s illustrated watercolours set of ballet playing cards.

BDT Terrain CU Greg Barrett

Deborah Braon leads in TerrainAnother of Australia’s lauded internationally acclaimed companies is First Nations company,  Bangarra Dance Theatre.

Streaming free from 7 May to 4 June via Sydney Opera House’s From Our House To Yours program is their 2012 classic, Terrain.
Set at Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, South Australia, the work is choreographed by ex- Principal Artist, Frances Rings, exploring the relationship of indigenous people to the land, which is like a second skin.

Nandhu (meaning ‘to be close’ in Wiradjuri language) takes you on an internal encounter behind the work. You get access to creator’s interviews; behind-the-scenes video footage;  learn sections of the dance; return to Country and Meet The Elders; and creative design activities. BDT Nandhu_Greg Barrett

Sarah Wallace

is the Theatre Specialist for The Plus Ones, Melbourne.  A Dance and English literature graduate of VCA, UOM and Deakin, she has a flair for bold, non-traditional performance platforms. An active contributor to The Melbourne Shakespeare Society, on the street, or in the box seat, she is always looking for quality works that push the envelope.

Images: Courtesy of The Australian Ballet and Greg Barrett.