Verve — The Australian Ballet

Overview

Three Australian choreographers have joined forces on the Australian Ballet's newest Sydney show, Verve. Powered by explosive movement and intense emotion, it's a journey from light to darkness — from sublime calm to unbridled anger — accompanied by a soundtrack that swings from Tchaikovsky to German electronica.

The first act is Constant Variants, the creation of fellow resident choreographer Stephen Baynes. This strikingly contrasting piece travels into a world of beauty and tranquility. Expect to be carried away by a neoclassical dance of extraordinary grace and poise, set to Tchaikovsky's Variations on a Rococo Theme, which features a breathtaking solo cello section.

Next up is Aurum, a new work by Alice Topp, who debuted on the mainstage in 2016 with Little Atlas, and has choreographed for Megan Washington and Ben Folds. Aurum takes its inspiration from the Japanese art of kintsugi — repairing cracked pottery with precious metals — and encourages audiences to understand the beauty of imperfection.

Filigree and Shadow, the work of resident choreographer Tim Harbour, rounds out the performance. Harbour carries the audience into a dark, uncertain world, driven by animal aggression. Think sudden moves, shadowy lighting, an architect-designed set and a score by German collective 48nord, who mix experimental and new music with post-pop and neo-rock.

An all-Australian team is behind every aspect of Verve's set design and lighting. It includes resident lighting designer Jon Buswell (Constant Variants) and legendary lighting designer Benjamin Cisterne (Filigree and Shadow), as well as multi-award winning set and costume designer Michael Pearce (Constant Variants) and renowned architect Kelvin Ho (Filigree and Shadow).

Verve will run from Friday, April 5 to Thursday, April 25 at the Sydney Opera House. To purchase tickets, head this way. The Australian Ballet is also hosting a one-time lunchtime performance of Alice Topp's Aurum on Wednesday, April 17 at 12.30pm. 

Images: Jeff Busby and David Kelly.