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Barbie Vs Oppenheimer
Artists of The Australian Ballet, The Nutcracker (Wright), 2017 Photo Daniel Boud
As the competition between Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer reaches fever pitch, The Australian Ballet looks at some of the Barbie-core and Oppenheimer inspired costumes from our favourite ballets.
Written by
Heather Bloom
Published on
04 Aug 2023
Rina Nemoto, The Nutcracker (Wright), 2007 Photo Christopher Rodgers-Wilson
Rina Nemoto as The Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker
A Barbie like confection creation that looks as sweet as fairy floss! This costume was designed by John F. Macfarlane who also designed the sets.
Lynette Wills, Cinderella (Ratmansky), 2015 Photo Jeff Busby
Lynnette Wills as The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella
Jérôme Kaplan designed the surrealist costumes inspired by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Giorgio de Chirico and Elsa Schiaparelli.
Amanda Mcguigan, The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister), 2018 Photo Kate Longley
Amanda Mcguigan as The Fairy of Joy in David McAllister's The Sleeping Beauty
Gabriela Tylesova designed these colourful costumes for David McAllister's version of The Sleeping Beauty and they have proven to be a favourite among dancers and audiences alike!
Artists of The Australian Ballet, Raymonda, 2017 Photo Jim McFarlane
The "Rat Pack" from Raymonda
The Australian Ballet boys bring some old-school cool and flair to the classical ballet Raymonda in Stephen Baynes production, with costumes by Anna French.
Benedicte Bemet, Sylvia, 2019 Photo Kate Longley
Benedicte Bemet as Psyche in Sylvia
Barbie herself would surely approve of Psyche's silk gown in Sylvia!
Guest Artist of The Australian Ballet, Nutcracker – The Story of Clara (Murphy), 2017 Photo Kate Longley
Newspaper Boy in Nutcracker- The Story of Clara
Harking back to the 1940s, this newspaper seller from Graham Murphy's Nutcracker - The Story of Clara were created by the legendary designer Kristian Fredrikson to fit Murphy's unique vision.
Ako Kondo, La Bayadere (Welch), 2014 Photo Jeff Busby
Ako Kondo in La Bayadere
It's a Barbie inspired two-piece for La Bayadere! Peter Farmer designed these luscious and extravagant costumes for the Marius Petipa classic.
Artists of The Australian Ballet, Nutcracker – The Story of Clara (Murphy), 2017 Photo Daniel Boud
Artists of The Australian Ballet in Nutcracker- The Story of Clara
Another war-time inspired creation by Kristian Fredrikson for Murphy's Nutcracker- The Story of Clara.
Benedicte Bemet, The Sleeping Beauty (McAllister), 2018 Photo Kate Longley
Benedicte Bemet as Aurora in David McAllister's The Sleeping Beauty
A perfectly pink tutu for the en pointe Princess Aurora.
Artists of The Australian Ballet, Nutcracker-The Story of Clara, 2017 Photo Daniel Boud
Soldiers in Nutcracker - The Story of Clara
Both Oppenheimer and Nutcracker - The Story of Clara span similar time periods. While Nutcracker - The Story of Clara takes place from the late 19th-century to the 1950s, Oppenheimer is set mostly during WWII focussing on J Robert Oppenheimer's involvement in the Manhattan project and development of the first atomic bomb.
Jade Wood, The Merry Widow (Hynd), 2021 Photo Jeff Busby
Jade Wood as Valencienne in The Merry Widow
These romantic costumes were dreamt up by Desmond Heeley for the first ever full-length commission for The Australian Ballet. Conceived by Sir Robert Helpmann during his tenure as artistic director with choreography by Ronald Hynd, The Merry Widow premiered in 1975 and was an instant hit with audiences.
Riley Lapham and Jett Ramsay, The Vow (Jervies), 2022 Photo Daniel Boud
Riley Lapham as "Peggy, The Bride" and Jett Ramsay as "Robert, The Groom" in Lucas Jervies The Vow
The dreamy vintage inspired costumes in The Vow by Lucas Jervies pay tribute to the company's 60-year history through the playful and romantic fable.