Ausdance National, Australia’s peak body for dance, has just announced the 2026 recipients of the Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship and the Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship. Both Fellowships were made available as a result of bequests from Dame Peggy van Praagh and Keith Bain OAM, both of whom made substantial contributions to dance in Australia. Currently working in Perth,
My review of Reviewing a Pedagogy for the Bodenwieser Technique was published online by CBR CityNews on 7 September 2026, following the initiative in which James Batchelor’s work for a Masters degree relating to the technique of Gertrud Bodenwieser was discussed. The review below is a slightly enlarged version of the CityNews post. Follow this link to the CityNews review. *********************** 3 September 2026. The Street Theatre,
In August an email from James Batchelor arrived in my inbox. It concerned a talk he would be presenting in Canberra at the Street Theatre in conjunction with Ruth Osborne and academics from the Australian National University (ANU). The talk relates to Batchelor’s current work towards a Masters degree at the ANU and is part of a regular Street program
My review of Diamond was published online by CBR CityNews on 7 August 2026, following its opening performance in Canberra on 6 August The review below is a slightly enlarged version of the CityNews post. Follow this link to the CityNews review. ********************** 6 August 2026. The Q Theatre, Queabeyan Diamonds are indestructible; people are not. No matter what media
As the Royal Ballet moves into its 2026-2027 season, I can’t help reflecting on how lucky we were to be able to watch Patricio Revé, now a principal dancer with the Royal, grow as an artist during his time with Queensland Ballet. But nor can I help feeling how much we will now miss him (unless of course we can
26 July 2026, Wellingtonreviewed by Jennifer Shennan This film, directed by Olga Malířová, traces the life and work of one of the world’s foremost choreographers, Jiří Kylián, but is at the same time far more than just a conventional documentary. Rather it is an exquisitely sequenced portrayal of the rich artistic rapport between Kylián and his muse, the wonderful dancer
My review of Mettle was published online by CBR CityNews on 25 July 2026, following its opening performance in Canberra on 24 July. The review below is a slightly enlarged version of the CityNews post. Follow this link to the CityNews review. ************************** 24 July, 2026. The Vault, Dairy Road Precinct, Fyshwick (Canberra) ‘It’s time to test your mettle,’ says
16 July 2026. St.James Theatre, Wellingtonreviewed by Jennifer Shennan This triple bill showcases the impressive versatility of Royal New Zealand Ballet dancers. Within a 90 minute time-frame, they perform Frederick Ashton’s Birthday Offering, a 70 year old work of highly demanding classical style, imported from England; Sarah Foster-Sproull’s Ultra Folly, a clever and quirky home-grown piece commissioned by the Company
Ausdance has announced the return of two fellowships, the Peggy van Praagh Choreographic Fellowship and the Keith Bain Choreographic Travel Fellowship. Ausdance initiated the fellowships some years ago but closure was necessary during the COVID outbreak. They have just now been reinstated and, as before, are worth $10,000 each. (Left) Peggy van Praagh teaching at the Australian Ballet, 1965. Photo:
3 July 2026. Hannah Playhouse, Wellingtonreviewed by Jennifer Shennan Fever/Dream is a program of five works performed by the current members of Ballet Collective Aotearoa. Turid Revfeim has for some years now established and directed this independent collective, offering regular classes and creating opportunities for free-lance dancers to perform and choreograph. Their work is of consistently high standard and brings much of