The Australian Ballet

Identity

Daniel Riley and Alice Topp

A man and woman in white clothes standing facing each other with their foreheads together, on a stage.

Jarryd Madden and Amy Harris
Photo Daniel Boud

A new program from two of Australia’s leading choreographers

  • Sydney / Warrang

    May 2023

  • Melbourne / Naarm

    June 2023

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Two dancers on stage, one crouching towards the front and another further back against an earthy colour background.

Zachary Lopez and Lilla Harvey in THE HUM
Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers entwined on stage in light white costumes.

Amy Harris and Jarryd Madden in Paragon
Photo Daniel Boud

THE HUM
Daniel Riley

Evoking a search for cultural perpetuity, THE HUM is a new dance-theatre work created by Daniel Riley, Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre. Centred upon the tangible yet invisible creative connection between performers, orchestra and audience, this work will unite artists of Australian Dance Theatre and The Australian Ballet in a never-before-seen collaboration.

THE HUM celebrates a resonance between our musicians, our dancers and the swell of our land, celebrating the idea of the individual artist as part of a broader creative ecosystem of shared knowledge, emotion and energy.

[THE HUM]...It’s one of the most outstanding dance scores by a living composer I’ve heard: drama-filled, melodic and showcasing a mastery of musical structure and storytelling.

The Syd­ney Morn­ing Herald

Paragon
Alice Topp

A historic performance

Paragon is a diamond anniversary gift created by Resident Choreographer Alice Topp to commemorate The Australian Ballet's rich history of artistic vibrancy, thirst for creativity, unique homegrown accent and the artists that have shaped ballet in Australia.

This new work welcomes some of our company’s most iconic former dancers back to the stage to dance alongside current company dancers, in an emotional tribute that honours the company’s 60-year history.

Paragon is a contemporary work that challenges and moves audiences in a journey embodying the heart and soul of The Australian Ballet.

[Paragon]… is worth watching for the 12 Australian Ballet legends – Topp describes them as “ballet royalty” – who’ve come out of retirement to perform.

The Syd­ney Morn­ing Herald
Two world premieres see Daniel Riley break new ground, while Alice Topp rejoices in our national company's diamond anniversary.

Lime­light | ★★★★

Rehearsing THE HUM

A group of dancers in a rehearsal space perform in a circle with hands in the air.

Adam and Amber's last dance in Paragon

A male and female dancer hold each other close in a rehearsal space.

David's insight

"Daniel Riley and Alice Topp are two of Australia’s leading choreographic voices. They both explore what identity means to them, whether it be the identity of Australia, the identity of community, or the identity of art. In honour of our 60th anniversary, we look at the sense of identity in today’s artists."

Synopsis and cast sheets

Select a location to view synopsis and cast sheets

Two dancers in white costume lay on the ground of a dark stage.

Fiona Tonkin and Adam Bull in 'Paragon'
Photo Daniel Boud

An illuminated dancer in black vest stand behind a group of male dancers below him.

David McAllister in 'Paragon'
Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers in white costume dance together on a dark stage.

Amy Harris and Jarryd Madden in 'Paragon' Photo Daniel Boud

A group of dancer’s silhouettes stand a ballet barre illuminating their figures.

Dancers of The Australian Ballet in 'Paragon' Photo Daniel Boud

Dancers lift each other in front of a circular shaped red image on a dark stage, with earthy colours surrounding them.

Dancers of Australian Dance Theatre and The Australian Ballet in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

A group of six dancers on a dark stage.

Dancers of Australian Dance Theatre and The Australian Ballet in 'THE HUM'
Photo Daniel Boud

Three dancers perform in front of a circular shaped image on stage.

Lilla Harvey and Karra Nam in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers dressed in white costume in front of a moon-like image on a dark stage.

Sebastian Geilings and Coco Mathieson in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers in white costume lay on the ground of a dark stage.

Fiona Tonkin and Adam Bull in 'Paragon'
Photo Daniel Boud

An illuminated dancer in black vest stand behind a group of male dancers below him.

David McAllister in 'Paragon'
Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers in white costume dance together on a dark stage.

Amy Harris and Jarryd Madden in 'Paragon' Photo Daniel Boud

A group of dancer’s silhouettes stand a ballet barre illuminating their figures.

Dancers of The Australian Ballet in 'Paragon' Photo Daniel Boud

Dancers lift each other in front of a circular shaped red image on a dark stage, with earthy colours surrounding them.

Dancers of Australian Dance Theatre and The Australian Ballet in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

A group of six dancers on a dark stage.

Dancers of Australian Dance Theatre and The Australian Ballet in 'THE HUM'
Photo Daniel Boud

Three dancers perform in front of a circular shaped image on stage.

Lilla Harvey and Karra Nam in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

Two dancers dressed in white costume in front of a moon-like image on a dark stage.

Sebastian Geilings and Coco Mathieson in 'THE HUM' Photo Daniel Boud

Discover more

Production credits

THE HUM

Concept and Director Daniel Riley
Associate Director Sarah-Jayne Howard
Choreography Daniel Riley, in collaboration with cast
Music Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO
Costume design Annette Sax, Tuangurung
Adornments Priscilla Reid-Loynes and Sarah Loynes Gamilaroi Ularoi
Set and lighting design Matthew Adey from House of Vnholy

Commissioned by The Australian Ballet, choreographed by Daniel Riley in association with Australian Dance Theatre.

Paragon

Choreography Alice Topp
Creative Assistant Jayden Hicks
Composer Christoper Gordon
Costume design Aleisa Jelbart
Set and lighting design Jon Buswell
Audio Visual Editor Arlo Dean Cook

For the complete list of images used in Paragon, please visit Paragon Image Credits

Music

Melbourne
With Orchestra Victoria

Sydney
With Opera Australia Orchestra

Identity is generously supported by the Kenneth R Reed Fund, The Robert and Elizabeth Albert Music Fund and The Dame Margaret Scott Fund.

We thank our production partners

Season 2023