Three works from ballet ireland for navan stage
Ballet Ireland visits Navan next week to present work spanning three centuries. 'Tutus & Beyond' journeys from traditional classical ballet to striking contemporary work in a mixed bill featuring an array of styles, including new work created for the company by Royal Ballet dancer-turned-choreographer, Ludovic Ondiviela.
Ballet Ireland’s latest production presents three works in two halves. The first features Pas de Quatre, a classic of the Romantic style which caused a sensation in 1845 when it was created for the four greatest ballerinas of the time. This is followed by Sing Sing Sing, a high-octane visit to Broadway and Hollywood of the 1960s & 70s - inspired by Bob Fosse.
The second half of the programme features the premiere of a powerful and magical new ballet, Lost, by Ludovic Ondiviela. Ludovic developed this work in Dublin last year drawing inspiration from Irish mythology which he became fascinated by during his time here.
Ludovic Ondiviela trained at the Royal Ballet School in London and danced with the Royal Ballet for 11 years before retiring in 2014 to dedicate himself to choreography. Last year he choreographed and presented his first full-length commission for the Royal Ballet, Cassandra. His many works for the Royal Ballet's Draft Works have included Furious Angels and Duplicity (Deloitte Ignite 2010). He has also created works for companies including Ballet Black, Men in Motion at the Coliseum and Gandini Juggling.
Anne Maher, director of Ballet Ireland is thrilled about the tour of this fresh new season of work: “We are bringing ballet well beyond the tutu in this fun, diverse show. We’re especially excited to be bringing the work of Ludovic Ondiviela to audiences around the country, a rising star of the international ballet and dance world. 2014 was a whirlwind year for the company which saw our debut at Sadler’s Wells with Morgann Runacre Temple’s much loved Carmen and a successful 25 date tour of Swan Lake. The company continues its commitment to present classical works alongside new ballets to our national touring audience – and Tutus & Beyond shows the connection between the old and the new worlds of ballet.”
Ballet Ireland is Ireland’s only professional ballet company, bringing new narrative-led ballets to Irish audiences each spring and autumn. The company was founded in 1998, and has been funded by the Arts Council of Ireland since 1999. To date the company has mounted over 30 seasons of work, and their activities, which also include summer schools and professional workshops, have had a profound impact on the landscape of ballet in Ireland.