West Australian Ballet – More than a tour

Nestled between the Indian Ocean and the rugged red-dirt landscapes of the Australian interior, Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. It is also home to West Australian Ballet. PAY speaks to the WAB team about connecting in the West and beyond.

Established in 1952 by Madame Kira Bousloff OAM – who first came to Australia in 1938 as a dancer with the Ballets Russes – West Australian Ballet is the country’s oldest active ballet company. When Bousloff visited the city on holiday she immediately fell in love with the city, declaring the beautiful coastline reminded her of the French Riviera.

It seems Madame Bousloff was right, there is something in the picture-perfect Western Australian water. More than seven decades on, Bousloff’s once small, amateur ballet company is now recognised both nationally and internationally for its commitment to artistic excellence, showcasing the talents of its exceptional dancers and creative team, all of which seem to thrive despite its geographical isolation.

“West Australian Ballet is proud to be the State Ballet Company of Western Australia, performing repertoire that represents the innovative spirit of the place we live in, as well as honouring the heritage of our artform,” says Lauren Major, Executive Director of West Australian Ballet. 

With a slew of beloved classics – like The Nutcracker and The Sleeping Beauty – in its repertoire, West Australian Ballet’s commitment to innovation is also evident in its collaborations including the 2023 world premiere of Dutch choreographer Wubkje Kuindersma’s echoes of VAN GOGH, Septime Webre’s ALICE (in wonderland) and Krzysztof Pastor’s Dracula, which the Finnish National Opera and Ballet recently premiered in Helsinki. 

Beyond the stage, West Australian Ballet is engaged with its community, offering outreach programs and educational initiatives that inspire the next generation of dancers and foster a love for the arts through workshops, masterclasses, and school programs. 

“We reach deeply into the communities across our vast State, performing in Perth, regional hubs and creating sustainable programs for people from all walks of life to meet the needs of our community and audiences both in Western Australia, and wherever our touring program takes us,” says Major.

In 2023, West Australian Ballet’s regional Access & Outreach programs visited nine regional centres, resulting in 3486 engagements and they hope to engage with even more people and share their unique offering across the world. 

“It’s important West Australian Ballet leave a positive footprint wherever they go,” explains Kristopher McDowell, West Australian Ballet’s touring consultant and founder of KMP Artists, an organisation dedicated to bringing together artists and institutions seeking international opportunities.  

“Whether that’s community programs, residencies, talks or anything else, all of West Australian Ballet’s programs are designed to have a much wider impact and reach more people. It’s a different approach, but it’s one I really believe in.”

It’s the same approach the company took in developing its own unique Swan Lake in 2022, combining Krystof Pastor’s choreography and Tchaikovsky’s famous score with an Indigenous local Noongar family story of the Black Swan, shared by Noongar Artist, Leader and Guide, Barry McGuire. 

“Performing Swan Lake is a watershed moment in any Company’s history,” says Major. “To be able to present a Swan Lake so unique to Western Australia, and so tied to the 65,000 years of history of Aboriginal people, was an enormous honour. It was a true privilege to work with Barry and the dancers of the Gya Ngoop Keeninyarra (One Blood Dancers) to present this truly groundbreaking season.”

To provide an even richer experience for the community, West Australian Ballet also delivered The Swan Education Project, an education program presented in parallel with the production of Swan Lake. The project ran in three schools over 10 weeks in 2022 with West Australian Ballet’s Project Co-Ordinator April Vardy and First Nations artist Kyle Morrison engaging with 153 students through movement, French ballet terminology, Noongar language, storytelling, and team building activities. The project enabled exposure to the arts and for students to form a deeper connection through engaging experiences that encouraged their creativity to grow and flourish. The project also includes First Nations visual artist, Seantelle Walsh, to facilitate an art project with the students.

The company is also in an exciting phase of transition. After 10 successful years, Artistic Director Aurélien Scannella has left the company. In his place comes legendary dancer and former Australian Ballet Director, David McAllister, who is now the company’s interim artistic director. 

“I think David’s tenure will see an increasing openness to new work, bringing in the next generation of choreographers,” McDowell says. “Now that we have that base of talent here, I think David will really be able to stretch West Australian Ballet’s creative team and dancers, and challenge them and push them in new directions. That will keep things fresh, which is always important – to feel like you’re on a journey, rather than feeling like you’ve already arrived.” 

Most recently West Australian Ballet staged David Dawson’s latest masterpiece Metamorphosis, and Extension to Boom, a new commission from rising star George Williamson as part of the annual Ballet at the Quarry season. This year the company will also host the Australian premiere of Royal New Zealand Ballet’s May 2023 production of Romeo and Juliet – McAllister’s own contribution to the 2024 season – retold by choreographer Andrea Shermoly with set and costume design by James Acheson. 

For more information and tour enquiries, email kristopher@kmpartists.com. For everything else, head to waballet.com.au.