The Bitch Is Back

The Bitch Is Back

Media Release
28 June 2010

She may be ruthless, but Carmen has worked her way into the hearts of Kiwi audiences.

Dubbed “sexy and dramatic” by the NZ Listener and “vivid storytelling at its best” by Christchurch’s The Press, the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Meridian Season of Carmen has been heating up winter – and Auckland will soon get to see what the fuss is about.

With no pointe shoes in sight, this action-packed show is more dramatic dance theatre than ballet and the RNZB are once again impressing audiences with their ability to move seamlessly from classical to contemporary dance.

Guest star Pieter Symonds has returned to New Zealand from the UK to perform the lead role. Born and raised in Christchurch, Symonds danced with the RNZB for eight years before following her career overseas. After leaving Christchurch Girls High School, Pieter moved to Wellington where she was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance. While still a student she had an opportunity to perform as an extra in the RNZB’s production of Swan Lake. Her talent and dedication was noted and, after graduating, Pieter was offered a permanent job with the company.

She danced several lead roles with the RNZB including Esmeralda in Hunchback of Notre Dame, Lucy in Dracula and Lady Capulet in Romeo & Juliet.

“I adored being with the company,” she says. “The work was amazing and I had some fantastic characters to play. We used to have so much fun touring the country as well...fitting in time to go to wineries on days off, my golf clubs used to come on tour with me as well.”

Symonds moved to London in 2004 to work for Rambert – a move that took her into the world of contemporary dance. She quickly became one of their star dancers.

“It was bizarre moving to a contemporary company, having to start completely from scratch; learning a new technique that is just as specific as classical ballet. “

Returning to New Zealand to perform the role of Carmen has been fun – especially as the world’s most famous vamp is so far removed from her own self.

“She is completely different to me, but that is the joy of getting to be someone else on stage. I get to live out my wildest dreams and do things that would normally scare me to the bone!”

A Northern Ballet Theatre (UK) production, Carmen is set against a backdrop of modern-day
Rio de Janeiro. Choreographed by Dutch-born Didy Veldman and set to George Bizet’s famous score, it is dramatic dance theatre at its best.

The Meridian Season of Carmen opens in Auckland on Wednesday 7 July.

ENDS

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