intouch Magazine
- Sep 1, 2023

Internationally Acclaimed Royal Czech Ballet Returns

Following their 2022 performances of Swan Lake, the Royal Czech Ballet returns to Australia this month to present the classic masterpiece Sleeping Beauty, including two shows in Newcastle – 6 September and 29 October.

The Royal Czech Ballet was formed in the Czech Republic in 2008 by its Artistic Director, Andrey Scharaev. The beginning of the company was not an easy one, as it required significant investment to implement Andrey’s plans, but by organising gala concerts and festivals, all proceeds were invested back into costumes and scenery for future performances. Fast forward 25 years, and the company has gained international acclaim with their performances of traditional classical ballets, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote and Giselle.

Sleeping Beauty follows the story of Princess Aurora. When the King does not invite the bad fairy Carabosse to the Princess's christening, she casts a spell on the Princess that will mean she will die if pricked by a needle from the age of 16. The King tries to protect his daughter by banning all needles in the Kingdom, however, Princess Aurora accidentally pricks her finger on her sixteenth birthday. One hundred years later, a handsome prince stumbles upon the Sleeping Beauty Princess Aurora, where she is awoken from her sleep and witchcraft is defeated.

The Royal Czech Ballet’s performances of Swan Lake in 2022 were acclaimed by theatregoers and critics alike and will feature international soloist Cristina Terentiev, sharing the role with Natalia Kusch.

Cristina has been described by Bill Stephens OAM (Australian Arts Review) as a “superb ballerina – thrillingly virtuosic,” who commands the stage.

Natalia was born in Nikopol, Ukraine and began her dance career in 1990 at the Opera and Ballet Theatre in Ukraine before moving to Vienna to study classical ballet. From 2005, Natalia was a soloist with the Vienna State Ballet before moving to Australia to work as a principal dancer with the Queensland Ballet.

Visit www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au for tickets.