Deirdre Tarrant

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Deirdre Tarrant CNZM founded Footnote Dance in 1985, and led it to become the national treasure of choreography and dance exploration it now is. Her own ballet background began in Wellington with Jeane Horne and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. A QE2 study grant took her overseas to dance and on her return she choreographed a number of works for the RNZB. She has developed many works for Footnote and led creative change as the company has evolved over 29 years, including Pick up Sticks (New Zealand Festival), Outside the Square and War in Paradise. Deirdre has recently retired from her role as Artistic Director of Footnote and also from her role as an international examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance. She is  Director of Tarrant Dance Studios and the Deirdre Tarrant Dance Theatre, a youth company with a commitment to integrating dance as a vital part of the Wellington community. Deirdre was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the community in 2000, a Distinguished Alumni of Victoria University in 2006 and received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award and was Arts Wellingtonian of the year 2012. In 2013 she was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary dance. She has reviewed dance works for Capital Times, Radio New Zealand and Theatreview for a number of years.

Deirdre Tarrant's reviews

LADY LIBERTY

Wellington

02/03/2015 - 06/03/2015

"Explosive blockbuster of sound and synergy..
THE MENAGERIE

Wellington

24/05/2014 - 24/05/2014

"Weird, wacky and wonderful..

"Up-and-coming and offbeat performers..
MAN MADE a new dance

Wellington, Auckland

02/02/2015 - 06/02/2015

"Power games..

"Be prepared to wonder..
Coppelia

Wellington, Dunedin, Auckland, Invercargill, Napier

17/04/2014 - 31/05/2014

"Coppelia at ASB Theatre, Auckland..

"A sparkling production..

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The Way We Fall

Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland

26/02/2014 - 29/03/2014

"A friendly romp .....

"... simply brilliant..

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The I Test

Dunedin, Wellington

24/02/2014 - 15/03/2014

"Connectedness and challenge..

"The place where we attempt to figure it out..
Deca Dance - Batsheva Dance Company

Wellington

21/02/2014 - 24/02/2014

"powerful, engaging commentary on the human condition..

"Superb dance company..

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Tutus on Tour (2013)

Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin

23/10/2013 - 29/11/2013

"A little something for everyone..

"Cheerful and Lively new Peter and the Wolf..

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K'RD STRIP - a place to stand

Hamilton, Wellington, Edinburgh, Scotland, Dunedin, Auckland

11/06/2013 - 31/08/2015

"Deeply moving, challenging and entertaining..

"Sassy and stylish, a touching tribute to a kiwi icon and the people who make it what it is..

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Do You Still Think of Me

Wellington

30/08/2012 - 31/08/2012

"Wacky theatre refreshes..

"Oddball and melancholic lyricism and cerebral calisthenics...
The Tower Season of Cinderella

Global, Auckland, Napier, Dunedin, Wellington

02/08/2012 - 19/04/2020

"Onwards to the Ball..

"Cinderella – A delight for all ages..

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On the other hand - New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season 2012

Wellington

18/05/2012 - 26/05/2012

"Students own stamp allows season to shine..

"A journey of talent..

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DANCING IN THE WAKE: The Story of Lucia Joyce

Whangarei, Wellington, Dunedin, Otaki, Christchurch, Hamilton, Auckland, New Zealand wide

09/02/2012 - 26/06/2013

"A female sensibility..

"Intense rivalries laced with comic delight..

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Rise - Java Dance Company

Wellington

22/10/2011 - 05/11/2011

"Connecting all the senses..

"Flour, treacle water -- a finely negotiated balance..

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Thricely? Precisely. A pocket full of Pips

Wellington

16/06/2011 - 25/06/2011

"Compulsive cycles of behaviour out in the open..

"A definite must-see..
The Seven Deadly Sins

Wellington

13/05/2011 - 20/05/2011

"Powerful and poignant..

"Experimental vision executed with skill and precision in perfect harmony..
Ecology in Fifths

Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Hastings

11/11/2010 - 25/10/2020

"Thought provoking and devastatingly stunning..

"Considered, live, wonderful, urgent and disturbing..

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The Nutcracker

Wellington, Napier, Christchurch, Auckland, Invercargill, Palmerston North

29/10/2010 - 09/12/2010

"Slick theatrical magic!..

"The Nutcracker - great to watch..

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The Fierceness

Wellington

05/08/2010 - 07/08/2010

"Ugly unitard appeal..

"Troupe is full of bad taste and proud of it..

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Carmen

Christchurch, Invercargill, Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North, Napier

05/06/2010 - 10/07/2010

"Barefoot in Rio with absolutely no bull..

"Feral grace amid dated choreography..

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One Way

Wellington

21/05/2010 - 29/05/2010

"A bright future..

"Stumbling blocks to seeing choreographers’ true potential..

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New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season 09

Wellington

18/11/2009 - 28/11/2009

"End dance..

"A reminder of life’s good things..

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