Southern Ballet heads north

Press, 19 April 1989, Page 8

Southern Ballet heads north

By

PAM MORTON

North Island audiences have an opportunity to see the Southern Ballet and Dance Theatre when the company begins a two-week tour this week. The company left Christchurch yesterday. The dancers will present a programme entitled “Journey With Inner Landscapes.” Several of the pieces in the programme were choreographed by Southern Ballet’s director, Russell Kerr. Mr Kerr said the company was branching out but did not intend to duplicate the role of the Royal New Zealand Ballet or Limbs Dance Company. “The time was right to make a comment about Southern Ballet and regional dance,” he said. Two of the pieces by Mr Kerr,

“Journey” and “Inner Landscapes,” form the programme’s title. “Inner Landscapes” is a new ballet especially choreographed for the tour and draws on various influences that have shaped his feelings for his native New Zealand. Mr Kerr said he had tried for 33 years to redefine the word “ballet.” “People traditionally think of ‘Swan Lake’ and ‘Giselle’ and don’t expect to see the contemporary works.” Mr Kerr said Southern Ballet had added dance theatre to its name to give the company a broader range. “Southern Ballet is a mixture of both. We present works that people will know but obviously to make our mark we have also got to present New Zealand works.” The company intends to maintain

its regional base. “We have to service the regional schools and public so as not to allow the art to stagnate,” he said. Many of the small communities were overlooked because it was unprofitable for large dance companies to perform in the regions. ; Mr Kerr said the company had been persuaded to tour by visiting choreographers and a strong supporters group in Auckland and Wellington. If the tour was successful, it was likely the company would return to the North Island to visit other centres, he said. Performances will be given in Auckland on April 21, 22 and 23 at the Auckland Grammar School Centennial Theatre, and in Wellington at the Victoria University Theatre on April 28 and 29.