A WHOLE NEW POINTE
Victorian State Ballet brings the Arabian Nights to life with an enchanting new adventure in Aladdin.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
READY FOR A magic carpet ride filled with dazzling dance, larger-than-life characters and a genie who knows how to make an entrance? The much-loved tale of Aladdin comes to the stage, sweeping audiences of all ages into a world of fantasy, romance and adventure.
“It’s got beautiful music in it, and we really felt the storyline was something special to bring to the audience,” says Managing Director Michelle Sierra.
“It’s based on One Thousand and One Nights, but it also has a bit of flair towards the Disney version, so people will understand Princess Jasmine and Jarar, and those sorts of characters. We’ve also based it off the actual Arabian Nights story, so it has a mix of both so people can follow the story and understand what’s going on.”
Aladdin meets Princess Jasmine who through their adventure together, learns how important it is to remain true to yourself and not try to be somebody else. While Aladdin’s tales might not be new to a lot of people, dance can bring a whole new life to the story in the way watching a movie or reading a book can’t.
“I think what’s nice is you can see the stories told through ballet and through theatrical mime as well. You can see movement itself telling the story as opposed to reading it or hearing it. You can see this in ballet form,” Sierra says.
“What’s really nice is when you see the market, The Sultan’s palace, the wedding and coronation ceremonies. It’s really nice to see that in a costume with beautiful ballet, skill and choreography.”
There’s just something special in watching that story come alive through ballet movement.
“The audience will see beautiful partnering with the ball and the guards, and with the girls in the palace. It’s a really nice way of telling that story through ballet.”
Sierra says The Victorian State Ballet is excited to bring something new and fresh to Darwin.
“I’m pretty sure the audience haven’t seen anything like this in ballet form. They’ll get something different in terms of that Arabian look and feel. They’ll get a lot of different scenes where they go through the desert to the cave of dancing jewels.
“That’s probably one of our favourite scenes and you’ll see the girls in different emeralds, diamonds, rubies and sapphires.”
And the magic doesn't have to end when the curtain falls. Audiences can stick around for a post-show meet and greet with the cast.
