FIRST TIME AT THE CAPITOL: Ballerina Lisa Craig practises her moves during rehearsal for Don Quixote at the Capitol Theatre today. Photo: Kitty Hill 100812KHA0103
A COLOURFUL Spanish tale of love and adventure took centre stage at the Capitol Theatre last night as members of the Australian Ballet danced their way through the classic Don Quixote.
It is the first time the Australian Ballet regional touring arm, The Dancers Company, has performed in Tamworth.
Theatre-goers showed their appreciation, with the show sold out well in advance.
“It was very exciting to have an Australian flagship arts company here performing for the first time,” Capitol Theatre director Peter Ross said.
Artistic director Danilo Radojevic put the dancers through their paces yesterday morning in their daily practise routine, which includes barre and centre work and getting the dancers used to the Capitol’s layout.
With their regional tour taking in stately old theatres such as Her Majesty’s Theatre in Ballarat and the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba, dancers are used to adapting their performances to accommodate a new venue.
Mr Radojevic described the ballet as a colourful, light and warm show that was a great introduction to ballet for the everyday person.
“Don Quixote is one of the best shows to see. It has plenty of wonderful dancing and action,” Mr Radojevic said.
With former principal artist of the Australian Ballet, Steven Heathcote, taking the male lead role, he was partnered by Reiko Hombo as the flirtatious female lead role of Kitri.
The show tells the story of knight Don Quixote, who is on a quest to find his lost love.
On his journey he crosses paths with young lovers Kitri and Basilio and finishes with a happy ending and a wedding.
The Dancers Company was created more than 30 years ago to give graduating students from The Australian Ballet School more stage experience and the chance to develop better performance skills.
The company tours regional areas to give audiences a taste of professional ballet shows that they might not ordinarily be able to see.
With Tamworth one of 11 stops on the tour, the company will travel more than 8000 kilometres in total to bring ballet to the bush.
“Regional audiences are really getting to see the best of The Australian Ballet,” Mr Radojevic said.
“For the dancers it gives them a fantastic experience of life on the road as a professional dancer,”