Australian Ballet to premiere Christopher Wheeldon’s new ballet ‘Oscar’ on Oscar Wilde’s life and work
In September, The Australian Ballet will premiere Christopher Wheeldon’s new ballet Oscar on Oscar Wilde’s life and work. In November it will be live streamed worldwide.
Oscar is Artistic Director David Hallberg‘s first full-length commission for The Australian Ballet since his appointment in 2021. It is Christopher Wheeldon’s third full-length collaboration with The Australian Ballet, following Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and An American in Paris.
Oscar promises to bring “the wit, charm, and complexity of Wilde’s world to the stage” conjuring up the opulence and decadence of 1880s London society, the playwright’s personal experiences, and characters he imagined. Two Wilde stories inspired Wheeldon – The Nightingale and the Rose and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Hallberg says,
There’s no denying that any full-length creation by Christopher Wheeldon is an immense artistic moment for the industry, and I’m thrilled that Wheeldon has selected The Australian Ballet to premiere this striking new work. This production will offer audiences a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey into the world of one of history’s most iconic literary figures. Oscar will be a treat for both ballet enthusiasts and admirers of Oscar Wilde’s literary legacy.
The story of Oscar Wilde and his tales exemplifies the bold storytelling we aim for within this company, making this commission a one-of-a-kind coup for our repertoire.
Wheeldon will be joined by his frequent creative collaborator – film and ballet composer Joby Talbot (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Wonka) has composed a brand-new score for the production, and Olivier Award-winning designer Jean-Marc Puissant has created the sets and costumes.
Wheeldon says,
To build the story of a seminal cultural figure from scratch – and through dance – is no mean feat, and I am honoured that The Australian Ballet will be the company to bring Oscar to the stage for the very first time.
Working with David Hallberg and The Australian Ballet’s artists and creative team has been an incredible experience. I look forward to seeing the production come to life in September and can’t wait to reveal our interpretation of this literary legend on the stage.
Streaming
Oscar will be transmitted in a live broadcast from the Sydney Opera House at 7.15pm AEDT on 19 November 2024. This event is part of The Australian Ballet’s 2024 Livestream Program. Tickets on sale now.
Synopsis
Genius. Prisoner. Icon. Oscar Wilde has been a compelling figure throughout history. Adored for his writings yet vilified for his sexuality, Wilde remains ever present in the cultural zeitgeist. Meet the characters that inspired his fairytales and took him from bourgeois socialite to condemned prisoner with this groundbreaking new narrative ballet from Christopher Wheeldon.
Taking inspiration from two of Oscar Wilde’s stories, The Nightingale and the Rose and The Picture of Dorian Gray, Christopher Wheeldon masterfully weaves Wilde’s real-life triumphs and trials through the choreography.
Devoted father and husband, Oscar is cast into the world of the social elite as his writings and wit allow him entry into the exclusive circles of 19th-century aristocracy. As Oscar’s fame accelerates, his descent into the hedonistic underbelly of London’s nightlife takes hold, culminating in his downfall and ultimate criminal conviction. Oscar’s incarceration for crimes of “gross indecency” act as the backdrop, his gaol cell a stark real-life interruption within the writer’s vivid fairytales.
A fascinating story about one of the world’s most loved storytellers, Oscar© draws parallels between the artist and the art, discerning that both are intricately and eternally entwined, and demonstrating that great art has the capacity to live on beyond the artist.
Credits
Choreography Christopher Wheeldon
Composer Joby Talbot
Stage and costume design Jean-Marc Puissant
Lighting design Mark Henderson
Video design David Bergman
Sound design Ned Prevezer
Dates
MELBOURNE
13 – 24 September 2024
Regent Theatre
With Orchestra Victoria
SYDNEY
8 – 23 November 2024
Joan Sutherland Theatre
Sydney Opera House
With Opera Australia Orchestra
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Italian ballerina Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
