Royal New Zealand Ballet CANCELS upcoming season of Venus Rising

Due to the extension of Level 2.5 restrictions in Auckland and Level 2 across the rest of the country, the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has made the devastating decision to cancel their upcoming national tour of Venus Rising, which was due to open in Wellington on 10 September.

The six cities originally scheduled as stop-offs on the tour from May to June were rescheduled for August to September. Following the recent outbreak and tightening of restrictions, three of these centres were then cancelled, leaving Wellington, Christchurch and – potentially – Auckland. However, the three remaining seasons have ultimately become untenable given the length of time the country will be in Level 2 or above. Unless restrictions change on indoor events, the RNZB is unable to perform to an audience at anything higher than Level 1.

All ticket holders will be offered a full refund. In the case of customers who purchased through Ticket Rocket in Dunedin and Palmerston North, following Ticket Rocket’s receivership announcement this week, the RNZB are looking at a number of different ways in which they can offer ticket holders compensation.

Executive Director Lester McGrath says, “Venus Rising is a stunning show and the entire company, who have worked so hard, and all of the RNZB team, find this decision very saddening, yet, at the same time, support the Government’s cautious approach in so diligently keeping the country as safe as possible.”

The company is exploring the possibility of streaming or broadcasting some or all of the show in the next few weeks and is negotiating with the rights holders.  The RNZB also hopes to programme one or more of the four ballets as part of their 2021 season.

“We would like to thank choreographers Twyla Tharp, Alice Topp, Andrea Schermoly and Sarah Foster-Sproull, together with Shelley Washington and Jesse Huot of the Tharp Organization and designers Jon Buswell, Randall G Chiarelli, Donna Jefferis and Daniel Wilson, for steadfastly keeping the faith with the RNZB over many weeks and months of change and uncertainty. Their beautiful ballets have enriched the lives of our dancers and artistic staff, and have nourished our souls.

“We would also like to thank all our venue partners for working so patiently with us on the many changes this national tour has seen in recent months, and we send them our condolences as they, no doubt, will have to cancel and postpone other shows and events in the coming weeks, on which they rely so much.

“These are difficult times for the arts industry, and many of our colleagues in the sector, especially those in technical theatre and events logistics, have experienced the hardest winter of their career,” McGrath says.

In good news, rehearsals for the RNZB’s forthcoming Ryman Healthcare Season of The Sleeping Beauty are shaping up beautifully and it’s going to be a joyous way to end a difficult year. Artistic Director Patricia Barker and the dancers very much look forward to sharing their stunning new production with ballet lovers across the country from 29 October.