The Australian Ballet brings its most iconic repertoire to Melbourne with Signature Works, a limited, one-weekend-only season at the Regent Theatre from 28 February to 1 March 2026.
Curated by Artistic Director David Hallberg and Music Director Jonathan Lo, Signature Works presents the Company’s finest classical and contemporary repertoire, accompanied live by Orchestra Victoria, setting the stage for a spectacular opening to Season 2026.
Audiences will experience the grandeur of Ballet Imperial, George Balanchine’s virtuosic homage to Tchaikovsky and the golden age of Russian classicism; the ethereal beauty of La Bayadère: Kingdom of the Shades, and the sparkling technique of the heritage showpiece Grand Pas Classique.
Explosive crowd-pleasers including Flames of Paris and the long-awaited return of Walter Bourke’s Grande Tarantella will showcase the Company’s exhilarating speed, virtuosity, and theatricality.
Contemporary dance takes centre stage with the Australian premiere of Marco Goecke’s striking duet Morpheus’ Dream, set to the unexpected musical pairing of Lady Gaga and Keith Jarrett.
The program also features a new work by 2023 Telstra Emerging Choreographer Award recipient Yuiko Masukawa, underscoring The Australian Ballet’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of choreographic voices.
“Signature Works is a snapshot of the Company at its finest. It brings together the heart of classical ballet and the extraordinary artistry of our dancers, showcasing their technical brilliance and expressive depth,” said The Australian Ballet’s Artistic Director, David Hallberg.
“This program also highlights the excitement of contemporary innovation alongside our heritage works, offering audiences a rare chance to experience some of the most iconic and compelling moments from our repertoire in one evening.”
Signature Works invites audiences into a rich cross-section of the Company’s repertoire, uniting treasured classics with striking contemporary perspectives. Blending signature excerpts with bold new creation, the program reveals the artistic breadth and expressive power that have defined The Australian Ballet for more than sixty years.
As Melbourne’s first opportunity to see the Company in 2026, Signature Works opens a season shaped with audiences firmly at its centre. Together, these works honour the traditions that built the Company and the creative forces propelling its future.
Signature Works Production Credits:
Ballet Imperial (Balanchine)
Choreography: George Balanchine© The George Balanchine Trust
Staging: Victoria Simon
Music: Peter IIyitch Tschaikovsky, Piano concerto No. 2 in G, Op. 44
Costume Design: Hugh Colman
Grand Pas Classique (after Gsovsky), Pas de deux
Choreography: after Victor Gsovsky
Composer: Daniel-François-Esprit Auber
Morpheus’ Dream (Goecke)
Choreography: Marco Goecke
Music: Keith Jarrett and Lady Gaga
Costume Design: Thomas Lempertz
Original Lighting Design: Udo Haberland
Flames of Paris (after Vainonen), Pas de deux
Choreography: after Vasili Vainonen
Composer: Boris Vladimirovich Asafyev
Grande Tarantella (Bourke)
Choreography: Walter Bourke
Composer: Louis Moreau Gottschalk
World premiere (Masukawa)
Choreography: Yuiko Masukawa
Signature Works
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Season: 28 February – 1 March 2026
Information and Bookings: www.australianballet.com.au
Image: Artists of The Australian Ballet in La Bayadere – The Kingdom Of The Shades (Petipa), 2021 – photo by Jeff Busby