Ballet Under the Stars
A free family-friendly event
Proudly presented by Telstra
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Sidney Myer Music Bowl / Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country
Saturday 25 February, 2023
As part of our 60th Anniversary celebrations, The Australian Ballet was delighted to bring Ballet Under the Stars to the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in February. The all-ages free event featured excerpts from our 2023 season of Don Quixote, as well as a pas de deux from Le Corsaire. Also in the line-up was Lucas Jervies' piece The Vow, and an excerpt from I New Then, a playful, upbeat ballet set to music from Van Morrison by Johan Inger.
Joined onstage by the 64-piece orchestra, audience members were swept away by Orchestra Victoria's soaring scores and impressive overtures, including pieces from Swan Lake under the baton of our new Music Director Jonathan Lo.
Ballet Under the Stars was proudly presented by Telstra and supported by DECJUBA Foundation and Arts Centre Melbourne
Repertoire
Djirri Djirri
Orchestra Victoria excerpt from Swan Lake Op. 20
The Vow
Le Corsaire Pas de Deux
Orchestra Victoria Danzon No.2
I New Then - Excerpt
Don Quixote - Excerpt
Hosted by Senior Artist Jarryd Madden and Livinia Nixon, Ballet Under the Stars featured preshow entertainment including a performance of The Story of Pomi and Gobba, and an onstage barre class with the dancers.
Watch the trailer
“ When the music started, thousands of people spontaneously fell silent and were transported to another place through dance. ”Ballet Under the Stars audience member
Production credits
Artistic Director David Hallberg
Executive Director Lissa Twomey
Music Director and Chief Conductor Jonathan Lo
Lighting Design Tom Willis
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The Vow
Choreography and design concepts Lucas Jervies
Music Edvard Grieg arranged by Tormod Tvete Vik
This arrangement of Grieg’s Peer Gynt Op. 23, arranged for hardanger fiddle/violin and string orchestra by Tormod Tvete Vik, was commissioned by Trondheim Soloists.
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Le Corsaire Pas de Deux
Choreography Marius Petipa
Composer Riccardo Drigo
Original lighting William Akers
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I New Then - Excerpt
Choreography Johan Inger
Music Van Morrison
Costume Designs Bregje van Balen
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Don Quixote - Excerpt
Choreography Rudolf Nureyev
Music Ludwig Minkus orchestrated by John Lanchbery
Costume Designer Barry Kay
Note this production contains theatrical haze and smoke effects.
Presenting Partner
Supporting Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
We are committed to providing you with the best experience possible. Please be kind and respectful to our team and to those around you. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding to ensure your welfare and safety.
We are committed to providing you with the best experience possible. Please be kind and respectful to our team and to those around you. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding to ensure your welfare and safety.
How do I book tickets?
Ballet Under the Stars is a free, non-ticketed event. Entry is available from 4.30pm and is on a first-come, first in basis. Once the venue capacity has been reached, entry to the event will be closed. We recommend arriving early to avoid disappointment.
Can I bring a picnic?
You are welcome to pack a picnic and bring your own food to Ballet Under the Stars. However, no glass may be brought into the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and hard-sided containers or large eskies and large/sharp knives are not permitted within the venue. There are free refillable water stations located throughout the venue and we recommend you bring your own water bottle (no glass) to the event. Please ensure your water bottle is empty when you arrive. You are permitted to bring a moderate amount of BYO alcoholic beverages.
Can I buy food and drinks at the venue?
Yes, there is a range of food trucks onsite and a bar for patrons over the age of 18 (proof of age will be required if purchasing alcoholic beverages).
Can I bring my own chair?
You are welcome to bring a picnic rug and cushions for floor seating. Please note that chairs raised higher than 20cm off the ground are not permitted, and you cannot set up any shade structures.
Umbrellas are allowed into the main lawn area but are required to be closed during the performance so as not to obstruct the view of those behind you.
Am I allowed to sit anywhere?
There will a marked off area indicating seats which are reserved. You are welcome to sit anywhere that is not sectioned off or marked as reserved. If you require assistance with seating due to mobility issues, please see the venue staff on the day.
What is the venue capacity?
Ballet Under the Stars will have a capacity of 10,700 and you may be seated near other patrons.
Can I get a pass out?
Unfortunately pass outs are not available for this event. Once capacity is reached, audience members will be allowed entry on 'one out, one in' basis.
Is the Sidney Myer Music Bowl an accessible venue?
Yes, the venue is wheelchair, walker and scooter accessible. Assistive listening devices are also available and service animals allowed.
Guests with limited mobility are advised to enter through Gate 1 on Linlithgow Ave and reach out to venue staff should they require assistance navigating the venue.
Should you have further queries, you can speak to someone at Ticketek's Accessible Seating booking line on 1300 665 915 between Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm (AEST).
Accessible toilets are located at the rear of the stalls and near Gate 1, behind the lawn. The closest changing places facility is located on Level 3 of Hamer Hall. For more information on accessing this facility please visit Our Buildings page.
Will there be an AUSLAN interpreter?
An AUSLAN interpreter will be available and positioned stage right, on the city side.
Can I smoke or vape at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl?
No, smoking and vaping is not permitted within Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
Security, safety and first aid
- Personal items. All visitors are responsible for the security of their own belongings and must not leave any items unattended. To help ensure the safety and security of all at the venue, bags and personal belongings may be subject to visual inspection.
- All visitors enter the venue at their own risk. To the maximum extent permitted by law, The Australian Ballet and the Sidney Myer Music Bowl will not be responsible for any loss, damage, harm or injury arising from your entry to the venue.
- Behaviour. All visitors are responsible for behaving in a manner that does not interfere with the safety and enjoyment of others. Aggressive, offensive or inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated and may result in being asked to leave the venue immediately.
- Children under the age of 18 will only be permitted entry if they are in the company of a responsible adult (18 years of age or older).
- First Aid should you require assistance, the first aid area is located opposite the food truck area, behind the lawn.
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, there is a free cloakroom facility available. The cloakroom is located outside the venue, to the right of the Gate 1 entrance.
What happens if it rains?
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor amphitheatre and these events will proceed rain, hail or shine, unless it is deemed unsafe to do so. Umbrellas are allowed into the venue but must be closed during the performance as to not obscure the view for other audience members.
Can I bring my pet to the event?
Only registered service animals will be allowed into the event.
COVID-19
Attending the venue while under quarantine or isolation orders is prohibited, and if you appear to have COVID-19 symptoms we may need to deny you entry or ask you to leave. Attending the venue when unwell places others as well as yourself at risk. For the safety and wellbeing of everyone, we ask that all visitors make reasonable assessments of their own health before attending the venue.
Photography, privacy policy, data collection and use
The Australian Ballet may collect, use and disclose personal information in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available at australianballet.com.au/policies/privacy-policy.
Photography, film recordings and security cameras will be operational throughout the event and all visitors consent that we may use any of the images or recordings taken of you, and anyone for whom you are responsible while at the venue. We are not obliged to use, broadcast or provide to you any such recording.