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A group of ballet dancers perform on stage in coordinated poses, their arms forming arches above their heads. Some wear leotards, while others are in light dresses. The stage floor is scattered with colorful, confetti-like pieces under bright stage lighting.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet with Scottish Ballet

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As part of our Aotearoa New Zealand tour, we are delighted to be sharing the stage with The Royal New Zealand Ballet for three Wellington-only performances to showcase contemporary works that are unique to both companies, created in a spirit of celebration and joy.

We will be presenting two recent works. Dextera (2019) by Sophie Laplane, was commissioned to mark our 50th anniversary. It is a tour de force of creative ideas, set to the music of Mozart, and an ode to creators and their hands, paying tribute to an artistic vision that often involves hard physical graft. Schachmatt (Checkmate!) by internationally acclaimed choreographer Cayetano Soto, had audiences on their feet at its premiere in 2017. This quirky, energetic, 20-minute ballet is inspired by the words of Joan Rivers, the films of Pedro Almodóvar and the choreography of Bob Fosse, and sees dancers perform with precision and razor-sharp wit across a giant chessboard to a retro pop soundtrack.

The RNZB’s contributions to the programme will be RNZB alumna Annaliese Macdonald’s Limerence, and a revival of Shaun James Kelly’s Prismatic, originally commissioned to mark the RNZB’s 70th birthday in 2023 and inspired by Russell Kerr and Poul Gnatt’s landmark Prismatic Variations (1960). Shaun, who in 2024 celebrated a decade of performing and choreographing with the RNZB, was born in Scotland and is proud to share his work alongside his compatriots for the first time.

Tour Dates


St James Theatre, Wellington

14 – 15 March 2025

Tickets available now for RNZB Subscribers. Single tickets available from 16 December.

‘18 minutes of sheer delight 

★★★★

Bachtrack on Schachmatt

Bachtrack on Schachmatt

‘A complete joy 

★★★★★

The Scotsman on Dextera

 

The Scotsman on Dextera

Credits

Choreographer, Schachmatt

Cayetano Soto

Choreographer, Dextera

Sophie Laplane

Synopsis

Schachmatt

Schachmatt(Checkmate!) by internationally acclaimed choreographer Cayetano Soto, is a quirky, energetic, 20-minute ballet is inspired by the words of Joan Rivers, the films of Pedro Almodóvar and the choreography of Bob Fosse, and sees dancers perform with precision and razor-sharp wit across a giant chessboard.

Dextera

Featuring Sophie Laplane’s trademark quirky style, Dextera is a tour de force of creative ideas, set to the music of Mozart. It is an ode to creators and their hands, paying tribute to an artistic vision that often involves hard physical graft.