Bespoke

Miroirs

Choreographed by Remi Wörtmeyer

Miroirs is a non-narrative piece that hovers between neoclassical and contemporary dance.

The inspiration for the movement comes directly from the poetic music of Ravel. Ravel wrote the piece in five movements, each dedicated to a fellow member of the French avant-garde artist group Les Apaches.

As a visual artist myself who works between fine art, theatre and fashion, Ravel’s inspiration to interpret the diverse disciplines within the Les Apaches artistic
movement into musical form caught my imagination.

While Miroirs, (French for mirrors) is a non-narrative piece, there are inspirations of reflection, reflecting both literally in the metallic of the costumes and chain
set and in the idea of seeing our world, our narcissism and relationships in reflection.

– Remi Wörtmeyer

Tartan

Choreographed by Paul Boyd

I have always been emotionally stirred by the heartfelt sound of the bagpipes as in my youth, I learned the traditional Highland dancing of Scotland so I was
compelled to create a work where I could combine the technique of the traditional steps and further advance the movement into a contemporary mix.

With a loose narrative, this work tells of an elderly Scottish gentleman who relives his past and the ghosts of his youth return one more time to enjoy a night of
friendship in his humble dwelling.

I was thrilled to be able to invite Queensland Ballet alumni, Graeme Collins, whose global career in dance has spanned six decades and his presence has given this work a depth that only maturity and artistic experience can offer. The juxtaposition of combing the mature artist with the youth of Queensland Ballet was a very interesting project to create and I thank Graeme for his wonderful support and generous contribution to Tartan.

My gratitude is also extended to the very talented dancers of the Jette Parker Young Artist Program who gave their artistic commitment during the creation of Tartan and allowed me to find a choreographic language that showcased their versatility and skills. And to Li who entrusted my artistic judgement to create once again for Queensland Ballet, I thank you for your belief.

– Paul Boyd

Four Last Songs

Choreographed by Natalie Weir

Towards the end of 1946, Richard Strauss read a poem by Eichendorff, Im Abendrot, in which an ageing couple at the end of their lives together look at the setting sun and ask, “Could this perhaps be death?”. Strauss had also recently been given a copy of the complete poems of Hermann Hesse and was strongly inspired by them.

This is the inspiration of his musical composition of four songs, beginning with Spring, followed by September, Going to Sleep and At Sunset. The words are all warm, wise and reflective with no hint of religious consolation as death approaches, but rather a deeply felt appreciation of the world before leaving. The music has been described, rightly, as transcendental. It aches with love for a life that is quietly fading, tinged with a sense of a life lived to its full.

My interpretation of this glorious music is the notion of the common thread that connects us all. The women dressed in red is this thread. The four other women represent the four seasons of life, whilst the men are all connected as one man, a thread of humanity, all washed up on a beach, like grains of sand. A quote from a novel, The River Wife by Heather Rose has also inspired my thoughts: “There is a wonder in this world that has no words. It is the wonder of things visible and invisible, human and other. I am not one or the other, the world is not one or the other, we are both.”

My gratitude goes to costume designer Noelene Hill for her glorious costumes and inspiration, to lighting designer Paul Jackson for his sensitive, heavenly design, and a big thanks to all of the production team. Special thanks to my rehearsal assistant, Zenia Tàtcheva for her support and generosity to the dancers and I, and the creative process. A huge thanks to the dancers of Queensland Ballet for their wonderful sense of collaboration, devotion and fearlessness in the creation of the work. They are all outstanding artists.

– Natalie Weir