Along with the announcement of the Queensland Ballet 2022 Season comes the news that Artistic Director Li Cunxin has signed to keep his position for another three years, an extension of his decade in the leadership role.
Li’s enthusiasm for staying on as Artistic Director of one of the world’s prominent ballet companies is echoed by the company’s Executive Director Dilshani Weerasinghe:
“Queensland Ballet, like so many organisations, have been through a challenging time due to the global pandemic. The QB team has navigated many different scenarios, postponements and lockdowns. With so much still in flux, it means a lot to be able to look to the future knowing that Li remains at the artistic helm.
The next three years will be about ensuring Li’s incredible legacy is grounded and solid. His incredible generosity and energy remained unfettered, and we couldn’t be happier that the magic that has driven so many positive outcomes for both QB and our community over the last ten years will continue. The plans are indeed exciting and we can’t wait to share them.”
Globally, Li is known as the protagonist of Mao’s Last Dancer, a 2009 Australian film, and will appear again on the stage with his wife and ballet mistress of Queensland Ballet, Mary Li, in three performances of Manon next year.
The Queensland Ballet 2022 Season features several full-length classics, contemporary offerings, and a program of world premieres by distinguished Australian choreographers Greg Horsman, Petros Treklis, and Stephanie Lake.
Queensland Ballet 2022 Season Trailer
Queensland Ballet 2022 Season Schedule
The Sleeping Beauty | February 25-26, 2022
HOTA, Home of the Arts
- The Sleeping Beauty by Greg Horsman after Marius Petipa
Experience a special night under the starry skies as we tour our exquisite fairytale The Sleeping Beauty.
Queensland Ballet’s most successful ballet of all time visits HOTA for the first time in 2022, weaving the magic of true love’s kiss throughout this incredible outdoor theatre after a hugely popular 2021 Brisbane season.
Intertwined with Marius Petipa’s renowned original 1890s choreography and accompanied by the exquisite Tchaikovsky score, Greg Horsman’s two-act retelling will sweep you away to a land of enchanted forests, kings and queens, and charismatic creatures that creep, crawl, flit and flutter.
Giselle | April 14-23, 2022
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Giselle by Ib Andersen
Experience love, envy, betrayal, and tragic redemption in the quintessential Romantic ballet, Giselle.
First performed in Paris, France in 1841, this Romantic-era masterpiece is set in an ethereal realm where vengeful spirits dance in the darkness, and love triangles can be deadly. Follow the story of the young peasant girl Giselle, and her death by a broken heart. In the twilight world of the Wilis, will she follow the dark path of revenge or save her true love from certain death?
With exquisite choreography, luminous costumes, and an enchanting score, Giselle has held audiences spellbound since its Parisian première more than 150 years ago.
Li’s Choice | June 10-25, 2022
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- We Who Are Left by Natalie Weir
- Glass Concerto by Greg Horsman
- Elite Syncopations by Sir Kenneth MacMillan
Be captivated by this trio of extraordinary works by Natalie Weir, Greg Horsman, and Sir Kenneth MacMillan, hand-selected by Li Cunxin.
Acclaimed Australian choreographer Natalie Weir, known internationally for her highly physical partner work and organic movement style, showcases her deeply emotive war-themed work We Who Are Left. Glass Concerto, by renowned international choreographer Greg Horsman, captures the pulse and escalating intensity of the brilliant music of Philip Glass in this neo-classical masterpiece. And in a fervour of dazzling colour and high energy, ragtime ballet Elite Syncopations by Sir Kenneth MacMillan is, quite simply, entertainment at its best.
Peter and the Wolf | June 24 – July 2, 2022
Thomas Dixon Centre
- Peter and the Wolf by Greg Horsman
Follow the courageous young scout Peter on an adventure to the zoo in this symphonic fairytale ballet designed for families. Children of all ages, along with parents and grandparents, will enjoy a lesson in musical appreciation, as orchestral instruments accompany the dancers in a much-loved story about Peter, a rascally wolf, an unlucky duck, and a graceful bird.
Composed as an introduction to the orchestra for children, the lively production fits perfectly with Queensland Ballet’s My First Ballet Series, inspiring the littlest of ballet lovers.
Bespoke | July 20-30, 2022
Thomas Dixon Centre
- World Premiere by Greg Horsman
- World Premiere by Petros Treklis
- World Premiere by Stephanie Lake
Explore the vibrant world of contemporary dance in a thrilling new season of Queensland Ballet’s Bespoke.
Now in its fourth year, this striking triple bill of modern dance offers audiences an opportunity to witness elite ballet dancers in dynamic contemporary spaces. In celebration of the opening of our new theatre at the heritage-listed Thomas Dixon Centre, for this year’s Bespoke, renowned Australian choreographers Greg Horsman, Petros Treklis, and Stephanie Lake have collaborated with dancers and artists to create three compelling new pieces of innovative storytelling, using visual art, music, and the depths of human emotion as elements of inspiration.
Queensland Ballet Academy Gala | August 12-14, 2022
Thomas Dixon Centre
- TBA
Don’t miss the rising stars of dance in this compelling showcase of outstanding talent by Queensland Ballet’s esteemed Academy.
Demonstrating technical finesse and exquisite artistry, the annual Queensland Ballet Academy Gala features our professionally-trained young dancers as they master performance and passion in a dazzling display of classical and contemporary dance.
Audiences will enjoy a program of inspiring classical pieces and dynamic contemporary works by renowned international and local choreographers. Performed by dancers at the beginning of their bright careers, this exciting program will be presented for the first time at Queensland Ballet’s heritage home, the newly-redeveloped Thomas Dixon Centre.
Manon | September 28 – October 8, 2022
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Manon by Sir Kenneth MacMillan
Journey from decadent 18th century Paris to sultry New Orleans with this blockbuster classical ballet about possession, desire, and the allure of wealth.
Renowned as one of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s most iconic works, Manon is a quintessential romantic tragedy, following the tale of a young French peasant girl conflicted by love and a yearning to be free from poverty. From seduction, ambition, and greed to the persuasive power of love, this sumptuous story has been captivating audiences for more than two centuries.
Queensland Ballet is one of only a handful of ballet companies across the world with permission to perform Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s version of Manon.
Moonlight Ballet | November 10-12, 2022
HOTA, Home of the Arts
- Rooster by Christopher Bruce
- B-Sides by Jack Lister
Travel back to the joyous fun of the 60s with this celebration of energetic choreography and hit pop and rock music in Christopher Bruce’s Rooster and Jack Lister’s B-Sides.
Full of humor, infectious energy and toe-tapping tunes – including music by the Rolling Stones Christopher Bruce’s Rooster is an ironic look at male chauvinism, with strutting dancers in vibrant period-era costumes that will have audiences bopping in their seats.
The swinging 60s theme continues in B-Sides by Jack Lister with its fusion of colorful kitsch and seamless contemporary choreography. An exploration of relationships and identity to a recording of hit 60s pop songs, this piece will captivate audiences with its engaging effervescence.
The Nutcracker | December 2-23, 2022
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- The Nutcracker by Ben Stevenson OBE
Whisk the entire family away this festive season to a magical Christmas Eve party where snowflakes flutter, fireplaces crackle, and enchanted toys come alive to frolic and play in The Nutcracker.
It’s Christmas Eve and when the clock strikes twelve, nothing is as it seems! Follow Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they journey across a Lemonade Sea to the Kingdom of Sweets, for a midnight rendezvous of delectable delights and enchanting entertainment.
This cherished Queensland Ballet holiday tradition returns to Brisbane for its ninth spell-binding season. Wonderfully whimsical, The Nutcracker is perfect for the whole family.
Featured Photo for the Queensland Ballet 2022 Season captured from the company’s season brochure.
