Faster

The Australian Ballet FasterCharging on to the stage with athleticism to the power of three, Faster opens The Australian Ballet’s Sydney and Melbourne seasons at full velocity with a contemporary triple bill showcasing some of the world’s most exciting living choreographers, with the Australian premiere of a work by David Bintley alongside two new works by Wayne McGregor and Tim Harbour.

The Artistic Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet, David Bintley, created Faster in 2012, the year of the London Olympic Games. Inspired by the Olympic motto Faster, Higher, Stronger – the title work of this season takes audiences on a journey through the agony and ecstasy of elite athletes. An energetic score by Australian composer Matthew Hindson drives the action with a muscular force of its own.

David Bintley choreographed his first professional piece for Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) in 1978, and was Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet between 1986 and 1993. In 1995 he became the artistic director of Birmingham Royal Ballet and, in addition to this role, he was artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan between 2010 and 2014. Bintley’s many awards include a Critics’ Circle award and a South Bank Show Dance Award. He was appointed a CBE in 2001.

In 2016, British choreographer Wayne McGregor celebrated ten years as The Royal Ballet’s resident choreographer with a new work, set to a commissioned score by celebrated American composer Steve Reich. This new work sees the return of the extreme physicality which burst through in the McGregor works previously performed by The Australian Ballet; Chroma in 2014 and Dyad 1929 in 2013.

McGregor founded Random Dance in 1992; it has since evolved into Studio Wayne McGregor. He has made over 30 works for the company. His dance ensemble Company Wayne McGregor is resident company at Sadler’s Wells, London, and since 2006 McGregor has been Resident Choreographer at The Royal Ballet. His awards include three Critics’ Circle Awards, two Time Out Awards, two South Bank Show Awards, three Olivier Awards, a Prix Benois de la Danse and a Critics’ Prize at the Golden Mask Awards. In 2011 McGregor was awarded a CBE for Services to Dance.

A new work by Tim Harbour will reunite him with the team behind 2015’s widely acclaimed Filigree and Shadow. Renowned architect Kelvin Ho and lighting designer Benjamin Cisterne set the scene for the daring and emotional work expected from Harbour.

A resident choreographer of The Australian Ballet since 2014, Harbour has also created work for Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet, The Dancers Company, New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute and Christopher Wheeldon’s company Morphoses over the course of his career. His works have garnered multiple Green Room, Helpmann and Australian Dance Award nominations.

FASTER
Choreography and Production: David Bintley Guest Repetiteur: Patricia Tierney Music: Matthew Hindson Design: Becs Andrews Lighting Design: Peter Mumford  

INFRA
Choreography: Wayne McGregor Music: Max Richter Set Design: Julian Opie Costume Design: Moritz Junge Lighting Design: Lucy Carter Sound Design: Chris Ekers

SQUANDER AND GLORY
Choreography: Tim Harbour Music: Michael Gordon Set Design: Kelvin Ho Lighting Design: Benjamin Cisterne

Faster
State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Season: 17 – 27 March 2017
Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au

Joan Sutherland Theatre – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Season: 7 – 26 April 2017
Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

For more information, visit: www.australianballet.com.au for details.

Image: Artists of The Australian Ballet (supplied)