The Imperial Russian Ballet makes a return to Australia and Tasmania in October.
Last year’s performance of Swan Lake sold out and this year they entertain audiences with their most loved ballet ‘The Nutcracker’. The Nutcracker is loved for among other components the famous music score of Tchaikovsky. For the Imperial Russian Ballet the music makes their minds return to thoughts of their home country.
Gediminas Taranda, the ballet’s charming artistic director and founder, again is responsible for the costumes and promises something unusual this time around.
Gediminas Taranda, formed the Imperial Russian Ballet Company in 1994 and is composed of a troupe of 40 dancers from Russia’s major ballet schools.
Of all the people I have interviewed over the years it is difficult to think of someone who has endeared themselves to the Tasmania public so completely. Gediminas and his crew have been welcomed to dine in people’s houses. It is no surprise the ballet is loved by the public not only for its beauty and brilliance but also for its generosity, They tirelessly travel extensively to many Australian small towns as well as big cities, having a strong belief in taking the ballet to the people, realising that not everyone has the ability or affordability to travel to see them.
And that friendship is sure to continue as Gediminas tells me through his interpreter Renata, formerly from Russia but now living in Brisbane,that next year they will be back with a new program. Says Gediminas the company’s love for Tasmania is strong and they always get an emotional welcome and have made plenty of friends who they expect to see again this time around.
Another wonderful bonding activity that occurs is the inclusion of local ballet students in the performance.
You can see The Nutcracker performed by The Imperial Russian Ballet at the Theatre Royal Wednesday October 12th and Thursday October 13th at 7.30pm.
The Princess Theatre Launceston, Friday October 14th and Saturday the 15th at 7.30pm.
The Devonport Entertainment and Convention Centre, Devonport, Sunday October 2pm.
Paula Xiberras
