A specially-filmed, multi-camera screening of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s (RNZB) spectacular production of The Firebird by New Zealand choreographer Loughlan Prior - which until lockdown was touring the country to huge acclaim - will be available for home streaming from August 27 for an exclusive 10-day period.
From 5pm on Friday today, people all over the world will have the chance to experience the new production by RNZB Choreographer in Residence and multi award-winning choreographer for stage and screen, Loughlan Prior, with set and costumes by the hugely regarded designer Tracy Grant Lord, lighting by Jon Buswell and breath-taking special effects by POW Studios.
Watch The Firebird here.
Following the triumph of his Hansel and Gretel in 2019, RNZB Artistic Director Patricia Barker commissioned Prior to create a production for a new time and a new generation.
First staged in Paris in 1910, The Firebird changed the direction of ballet and catapulted composer Igor Stravinsky to star status. Together with designer Grant Lord, Prior’s The Firebird is one in which the natural world is threatened and humanity is staring into the abyss of extinction. Captured, the Firebird - a fertility goddess with magical powers - offers the possibility of redemption, if only humankind is brave enough to follow her.
Barker says: “How we treat one another and how we care about the world for the next generations is at the forefront of our new production. Loughlan dived into the world of The Firebird and the magic of Stravinsky’s score and created a work that brings us closer to our own humanity. Audiences in Wellington, Napier and Auckland fell in love with The Firebird, and we know people at home will too.”
Prior says: “The Firebird draws on the beauty of the earth at its most elemental, the vastness of the cosmos and the impact – both good and evil – of humans on our precious world. While we are devastated to have had to cancel some performances, it is exciting to have this opportunity to share such a new creation with audiences around Aotearoa, including those who may have just seen one of our onstage performances in recent weeks."
In the iconic and spine-tingling score, sinuous melodies are spiked with shimmering orchestration creating an exotic universe full of wild enchantment that was worlds away from the classics of Russian ballet. Prior’s production unites Stravinsky’s masterpiece with spectacular visual effects by POW Studios and powerful, breath-taking choreography.
The Firebird reviews
"The gifted team have created a story for our age. It is brave, innovative and welcome.” - Stuff.co.nz
“The Firebird is a sophisticated and thoughtful fusion of the magic and theatricality of ballet, with the devastating reality of the consequences faced by all life on Earth if humanity fails to recognise our connection and symbiosis with the living world. The Firebird is applauded rapturously on opening night, solidifying the work as both timely and vital.” - theatrescenes.co.nz
“The Firebird/Phoenix is impressively danced by Ana Gallardo Lobaina as she struggles, loses, fights and re-flowers with a powerful presence. Guest Artist, Harrison James (a New Zealander who has his star ascending overseas and is home for this tour), is desperate, strong, anguished and embodies the fight for the survival of our world.” - theatreview.co.nz
