Royal NZ Ballet gives Peter and the Wolf a kiwi twist

RNZB gives Peter and the Wolf a kiwi twist

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to announce the release of a brand new recording of Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf performed by Orchestra Wellington and narrated by New Zealand comedian and television personality Te Radar.

The recording is available as a FREE download from our website from today: http://www.nzballet.org.nz/shows-and-events/tower-tutus-on-tour/peter-the-wolf-download/

This new version of Peter and the Wolf makes up the second half of the RNZB’s TOWER Tutus on Tour currently touring New Zealand, and was created by dynamic duo of RNZB dancers turned choreographers Brendan Bradshaw and Cat Eddy.

“In our 60th anniversary year we are thrilled that we are able to offer this fabulously Kiwi version of Peter and the Wolf free thanks to the generosity of both Orchestra Wellington and Te Radar” says Amanda Skoog, Managing Director of RNZB, “The audio is perfectly complemented by a wonderful free online education resource for children that enables them to understand the story and enjoy the ballet even more. This wonderful story is ideal for families to listen to together on trips in the car or at home. We hope everyone enjoys listening to it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

“I am very excited about this collaboration with the RNZB on Peter and the Wolf, which somehow slipped past me as a child,” says Te Radar “I’ve discovered that it’s a delightful story with a wonderful score that’s been performed by some of the world’s greats. The magic the RNZB’s amazing dancers bring to it means it is a joy to be a part of.”

RNZB Artistic Director Ethan Stiefel agrees, “Brendan and Cat's new version of Peter and the Wolf is an innovative rendition of the classic with a bit of a Kiwi flavour. I am pleased to support the creative ideas of two people that have come up through the RNZB ranks as dancers and I couldn't be happier that Te Radar is part of the team.”

Bradshaw and Eddy previously collaborated on a show-stealing work seen by over 45,000 people that debuted as part of the 2011 World of WearableArt. Prior to that they choreographed Koo Koo Ka Choo in 2009. Now they are enjoying putting their mark on a classical story ballet.

“This is a much loved childhood story and we have spiced things up by adding a little twist,” says Eddy, “setting the ballet in a modern day family. The usual bed-time shenanigans go on because Peter doesn’t want to go to sleep yet. He goes to bed to listen to his favourite bedtime story Peter and the Wolf, eventually he falls asleep and the story literally comes to life. There is a lot of magic involved as we get inside the imagination of a little boy.”

TOWER Tutus on Tour also includes excerpts from: Flower Festival at Genzano, FrENZy, Through to You by New Zealand choreographer Andrew Simmons, Little Improvisations and the crowd pleasing Don Quixote pas de deux, and sees the dancers performing in community theatres, town halls and school gymnasiums from Kaitaia to Stewart Island. TOWER Tutus on Tour is coming to a town near you from now, until 5 December.

Dates and venues for TOWER Tutus on Tour, including Peter and the Wolf

Approximate running time: 95 minutes, including one interval.

For more information visit: http://www.nzballet.org.nz/shows-and-events/tower-tutus-on-tour/about/

Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB)
Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2013, the RNZB is an intrinsic part of New Zealand’s national heritage, and has the largest following of all New Zealand performing arts companies. The RNZB enjoys a reputation for strong and unique interpretations of full-length dramatic works. To this base have been added the masterworks and major ballets of the 20th century, such as Balanchine's works and the Stravinsky ballets, and the company has an enviable track record in commissioning new pieces from New Zealand and international choreographers. The RNZB regularly represents New Zealand on the international stage, with recent tours to the UK, Australia and a tour to China in April of this year. Filming of the third series of hit reality television show ‘The Secret Lives of Dancers’ commenced in early 2013. The New Zealand Film Commission have funded a major motion film directed by Toa Fraser (No 2 and Dean Spanley) based on the RNZB’s 2012 season of Giselle. The movie had its debut as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival in July and has gone on to be shown at the prestigious Toronto and Vancouver International Film Festivals.

ENDS

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