Cinderella

To say that the past year has been extraordinary is something of an understatement. That we are now welcoming full houses to our January season is equally astonishing, given the decimation wrought globally on the performing arts by the Covid pandemic. Ballet Theatre Queensland weathered the upheaval with careful and conservative planning, a great deal of support from its Board and community, and because the company had the good fortune to be located in Queensland. Therefore, it is with much pleasure, and no small measure of relief, that I welcome you to our wonderful new production of Cinderella, a tale about kindness and hope, and the perfect ballet to begin a new year.

Artistic Director Clare Morehen has created a beautiful ballet that I know will transport and delight audiences. Together with Kym Stokes, our accomplished Rehearsal Director, she has both challenged and inspired our young dancers as they conquered the sweeping classical choreography while delivering the story’s drama, all to the difficult Prokofiev score.

Our wonderful creative team of professional designers and technical crew has returned again this year to support the production with its talent and expertise. Legendary costume designer, Carmel Wenck, set designer Bill Haycock and lighting wizard Glenn Hughes have together brought their visual magic to the ballet.

Annually we have the support of many organisations, but over the past year that support has been especially heartening.  I thank in particular our key corporate supporters Bloch, The Courier Mail, and Vanilla Pod for their assistance, and Harlequin Floors for their generous support of our raffle. Most importantly, however, I acknowledge the commitment and enthusiasm of our dancers’ parents, past and present, and other dedicated supporters, who through a love of ballet give so generously of their time. These seasons could not happen, without that support.

Ballet Theatre Queensland still continues to punch well above its weight, delivering a professional company experience, which challenges, inspires and develops young dancers, all on a prohibitively low budget. We are therefore very grateful for the many donations to our Cinderella Campaign and the culture of philanthropy that is developing in support of this wonderful company. This ensures the BTQ legacy will continue to grow unabated as successive generations of dancers pass through the company ranks.

It gives me much pleasure therefore, to welcome you to this performance by yet another company of talented young dancers. Enjoy!

Denise Richardson