Queensland Ballet Launch 2016 Season

22 September 2015 | 9:19 am | Brynn Davies

A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Nutcracker and more.

Queensland Ballet's Artistic Director Li Cunxin has announced the company's 2016 program, featuring an array of much-loved classics and contemporary works.

The season begins with a production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream by acclaimed choreographer Liam Scarlett, a co-production with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Mendelssohn's wistful music and Scarlett's witty choreography will breathe new life into one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays. 1-16 April, Playhouse, QPAC.

Strictly Gershwin is a tribute to George Gershwin and the big band music of the 1930's, evoking the spirits of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and accompanied by musical adaptation of Gershwin's greatest songs by Gareth Valentine. The work is choreographed by Derek Deane, with special guests and a live jazz orchestra set to appear at Lyric Theatre from 27 May - 4 June.

Lest We Forget is a sombre reflection on war, featuring works from three of the most prolific choreographer's working today - Paul Taylor, Ma Cong and Natalie Weir. A ballet in three parts, each work reflects a different aspect of the war, from recalling turbulent times through the music of the Andrews's sisters, human resolve and strength in love, to insights into personal stories inspired by poetry written during WWI. 29 July - 6 August,  Playhouse, QPAC.

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The Christmas family favorite The Nutcracker will return to the Queensland Ballet stage. Ben Stevenson's production of The Nutcracker features lavish sets and gorgeous costumes along with Tchaikovsky's unmistakable score making The Nutcracker the perfect Christmas treat. 9 - 23 December, Playhouse, QPAC.

Audiences will be privy to intimate rehearsals of the Queensland Ballet's young dancers from the Jette Parker Young Artist Program and Pre-Professional Program in Dance Dialogues. Short works will be performed in a studio setting as Artistic staff coach the dancers, with select pieces choreographed by dancers of the Queensland Ballet. Summer 11 - 20 February and Spring 8 - 17 September at the Thomas Dixon Centre.

Something for the kids - Lucas Jervies cheeky mash-up of puppetry and ballet for Little Red Riding Hood will delight, entrance and enthrall the tiniest lovers of dance and theatre. This is a unique retelling of a classic fairytale, set to an original score by Tristen Parr, launching the Queensland Ballet's My First Ballet Series as part of QPAC's 2016 Out Of The Box Festival.

For more information, or to purchase a subscription, head to Queensland Ballet's website