The Australian Ballet — Local services in Melbourne

Review of Etudes/Circle of Light on Friday 17 May 2024. I am part of a group of 7 who subscribe to every season of the Australian Ballet. 6 of us have been trained dancers for many years and 5 of us are still attending regular dance classes in theatre jazz and tap. We enjoyed Act 2 Etudes with its classical score and noted the skill development of all the dancers in it. I recognised that some of them had also appeared in Act 1 and I admired their stamina as both Acts were physically complex and demanding. We did not really enjoy Circle of Light though. It was too long and we found parts of it were boring and pointless. One of my group said “well that was over an hour of my life that I’ll never get back”. I did not read the synopsis before the performance or any reviews but I was aware that people I know who had seen earlier shows did not enjoy it either because they had told me. The piece had its moments in parts where we could see dance movements that we found visually pleasing but it was disjointed and we thought the sections did not link together in any way and make any sense for us. Some of the audience around us became restless and the woman in front of me began using her phone. I reported her to the attendant in the interval. This person did not return after it for Act 2. Sorry but I’m still looking forward to the 2 performances...

I attended Circle Electric and Etudes last night. I am starting to wonder what has happened to The Australian Ballet Company. Circle Electric was beyond frightful. I wanted to like it but it was just awful. This is The Australian Ballet Company and Circle Electric had nothing to do with Ballet. The music was migraine inducing and I was embarrassed for the beautiful dancers. If I wanted to be see modern dance I would not be paying for a subscription to the Australian Ballet Company. What was with the poo brown costumes, the ugly faces and noises, the scratching as if infested with fleas? Thank heaven for the second offering of Etudes. It was a wonderful display of precision and ability. This is what I come to see. I have been attending the ballet for nearly 50 years and between Carmen and Circle Electric I am ready to cancel my subscription. Circle Electric is not dancing, it's a nasty display of nothing. There are so many wonderful modern ballets, why are we being subjected to such drivel? I suspect that all today's choreographers can do is set out to shock. The only reason I didn't walk out was because I wanted to see Etudes. I gave three stars because Etudes was brilliant. Come on Australian Ballet you are usually extraordinary please don't sink into trying to be different for...

SWAN LAKE A delightful performance by the company, but not as ease with the the main swan at times (matinee 27 Sept) and the first act is too long.

GISELLE (Tokyo Ballet) Beautiful production and beautifully dance with excellent corp de ballet dancing and precision.

Re State Theatre facilities: why do they now not serve coffee at the bars??

ROMEO AND JULIET: I have been a subscriber since the inception of the Australian Ballet Company and am delighted to report that the performance of Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 at 1:30pm was one of the most beautiful ballet experiences I have had. I was a ballet dancer and am still involved as a teacher of ballet/dance so felt I had to express my feelings for this performance. Juliet's performance was extremely moving emotionally along with the fluidity and magnificent quality of impressive leg lines, together with arm, hand and body lines was indeed mesmerizing. Romeo was equally impressive, so strong and secure with his Juliet, whilst maintaining such a romantic quality. The acting was exceptional and even though I was sitting in the back row of the circle the feeling was intense and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you to all involved AND ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE OF THESE TWO...