The weather fairies have delivered a touch of warmth, Summer’s peeking around the corner, and the end of the year nears. At the same time, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers have begun rehearsals for the upcoming, Christmas season of their beloved, beautiful production, the Ryman Healthcare Season of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, created by British choreographer Liam Scarlett.

Lovers, fairies, mischief and moonlight conspire in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved classic tales, which will bring joy and cheer to theatres across the country from 28 October.

RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker says, “At the end of another COVID year, we will again celebrate the power and beauty of the arts. Performing this magical production, to Mendelssohn’s sumptuous score, is a Christmas treat for audiences everywhere.”

Choreographed by the late Liam Scarlett at the beginning of his international career, the joyous production was an overnight sensation, performing to capacity audiences throughout New Zealand, in 2015 and 2016.

“This special work was made for our company by a choreographer whose talent, energy and sheer delight were contagious. Creating this work with Liam was among the happiest of times for our company. His A Midsummer Night’s Dream has stood the test of time – it is in our DNA. We cherish this production and will honour Liam’s memory and his beautiful artistic legacy with every sparkling step,” Barker says.

Distinguished New Zealand designer Tracy Grant Lord’s glorious vision of Shakespeare’s iconic characters and enchanted wood, illuminated with lighting by Kendall Smith, is a feast for the senses. It complements former RNZB Music Director Nigel Gaynor’s beautifully crafted full-length ballet score, drawn from Mendelssohn’s much-loved incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and interspersed with orchestral arrangements of the composer’s works for solo piano and chamber music, and featuring other magical orchestral works including the atmospheric overture ‘The Hebrides’.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the sixth major RNZB production to be sponsored by Ryman Healthcare, and the RNZB l

Ryman Healthcare Group Chief Executive Gordon MacLeod said Ryman’s residents were strong supporters of the ballet.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be able to support the RNZB’s interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s finest comedies. We think it’ll be a tonic to look forward to before Christmas, and a wonderful spectacle for thousands of Kiwis,’’ he says.

Due to Covid restrictions the ballet will only be performed live in Wellington and then will be available for viewing on line.

For further details go to https://rnzb.org.nz/shows/msnd/  

Distinguished New Zealand designer Tracy Grant Lord’s glorious vision of Shakespeare’s iconic characters and enchanted wood, illuminated with lighting by Kendall Smith, is a feast for the senses. It complements former RNZB Music Director Nigel Gaynor’s beautifully crafted full-length ballet score, drawn from Mendelssohn’s much-loved incidental music to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and interspersed with orchestral arrangements of the composer's works for solo piano and chamber music, and featuring other magical orchestral works including the atmospheric overture ‘The Hebrides’.

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