'Firebird' double bill ballet dazzles brillantly
The Royal New Zealand Ballet's performance of a 115-year story has plenty of spark.
The star of the show was evident as the curtain rose on the Royal New Zealand Ballet's latest production of The Firebird.
All eyes were on the company's ethereal Firebird, a shimmering plumed creature owning the theatre stage, danced by the effortlessly grand Ana Gallardo Lobaina.
With facial expressions to match her body language, the RNZB principal dancer wove an unbreakable spell.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Firebird, choreographed by Loughlan Prior, 30 April-1 June 2025. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Stephen A'Court
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Rising on pointe with wings flapping, her liquid arms and an expressive back brought the birdlike movements to life.
Gallardo Lobaina brings a worldly focus to the company's latest staging. She was born in Cuba and trained in Miami before dancing with the Cincinnati Ballet and joining the RNZB five years ago.
Gallardo Lobaina's lyricism and impeccable technique commanded full attention at the St James Theatre on opening night. There was undeniable chemistry between her and the dashing Christchurch-born, Julliard-trained leading male Joshua Guillemot-Rodgerson.
He ignited the stage as Arrow, using the magical feather to summon the Firebird when he needs her help.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents The Firebird, choreographed by Loughlan Prior, 30 April-1 June 2025. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Stephen A'Court
The visual delight of Tracy Grant Lord's set and costume designs, coupled with lighting by POW Studios, was a highlight. The immersive technology certainly doesn't detract from the action as the latest trickery sometimes can.
The complete ballet score by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, written for Sergei Diaghilev's legendary Ballets Russes in 1910, was performed by Orchestra Wellington under the baton of Hamish McKeich.
Of particular note from the orchestra was the Firebird's lullaby to Kastchei and his monsters that have danced themselves to exhaustion during the Infernal Dance.
The lilting Berceuse solo, played by bassoonist Jessica Goldbaum, was a welcome antidote to the severe southerly gales roaring outside.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet presents My Brilliant Career, choreographed by Cathy Marston, 30 April-1 June 2025. Photo credit: Stephen A’Court.
Stephen A'Court
Opening the programme was the one-act Australian ballet My Brilliant Career, based on the novel by Miles Franklin, and familiar to many through the 1979 film starring Judy Davis and Sam Neill. It was Neill's breakout performance playing farmer Harry Beecham in the leading role two years after he first hit the big screen in the New Zealand classic Sleeping Dogs.
Choreographer Cathy Marston’s ballet version splits the central character, Sybylla, between two dancers; Syb played in this production by Katherine Minor, and Bylla danced by Jennifer Ulloa.
It might have been a little confusing to some, although to others unfamiliar with the novel or movie it created a nice plot twist in a production danced superbly by a charming cast.
The Firebird continues in Wellington over the weekend before starting its national tour in Auckland next week, then continuing to Palmerston North, Invercargill, Dunedin and Christchurch over the next month.
