Ballet lovers are in for a treat next weekend when the Byron Ballet perform their Gala bill, featuring Coppelia and Ravel’s Bolero. Verandah Magazine has a double pass and a copy of Candida Baker’s latest book Belinda the Ninja Ballerina to give away. Simply leave a comment in our FB box below or on Verandah Magazine’s Facebook page.
“We’re presenting part of two absolutely classic ballets next weekend,” says Director and choreographer of the Byron Ballet, Yvonne Hall. “What I personally like about Coppelia is that although it’s a comedic story, it’s also about romance, betrayal and mistaken identity.”
Most of us, of course, know the storyline: Dr Coppelius, the eccentric toymaker, creates beautiful, life-like dolls. A village boy, Franz, is intrigued by the prettiest doll of all – Coppelia. Franz’s fiance becomes jealous and sets out with her friends to find out more about this mysterious young woman, and so the comedic chaos begins. The company will be presenting Act 2/3.
“We’ll be presenting Acts Two and Three,” says Hall. “Coppelia is the perfect family ballet and the music, composed by Leo Delibes, and it’s a wonderful introduction to classical music for young children.”
Hall is delighted that the production sees the return to the company of the now Brisbane based Laura Kate Terry. “The principal female role, Swanhilda, will be danced by Laura Kate Terry – a Lennox Head girl originally, who has worked her way up throught the ranks of Byron Ballet over the years. She is a great actress as well as a dancer, which is really important in this comedic role,” says Hall.
Jeremy Gates will be performing with the Byron Ballet for one weekend only.
Professional dancers Jeremy Gates and Thomas Dilley will also be performing variations from other class ballets. Gates came to ballet via a somewhat unusual route. Originally a keen footballer and cricketer, Gates was also interested in acting while he was at school, and a friend suggested to him that to improve his acting skills he should learn to dance. Fast forward a few years and Gates is now embarked on an international career, dancing with the Thuringer Staatsballett in Germany. Originally he had no intention of doing ballet. “I thought it was for girls,” he says, “but I was also starting to enjoy it more and more, so in the end I decided to give away the hip-hop and break dancing and concentrate on ballet.”
Hall is thrilled to have a dancer of Gates’ calibre for the show. “Unfortunately Jeremy will be returning back to his ballet company in Germany after the show – but it’s a shame we can’t keep him,” she laughs.
Thomas Dilley will be in Byron Bay next weekend to perform in Coppelia and Bolero.
For ballet lovers the chance to see dancers of the standard of Gates, Thomas Dilley, who outdanced hundreds of dancers to get through to the finals of Youth America Grand Prix Ballet (featured in our main shot) and Laura Kate Terry doesn’t happen too often in the Northern Rivers. “This is really ballet of an oustandingly high level,” says Hall. “I’m extremely proud to be able to present the company in our Gala performance, doing work of this calibre.:
The famous Ravel’s Bolero is one of the most sensual and hypnotic works of all time, building to an irresistable climax. Byron Ballet dancers will be presenting a contemporary work with a flamenco flair.
“The dancers are really enjoying the contrast of these two dance pieces – the music of Bolero is really quite addictive – it does put everyone into a trance, it’s amazing,” says Hall. “I’m sure the audience are going to walk away having enjoyed a truly amazing Gala programme.”
