The Australian Ballet

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Swan Lake

The top half of a ballerina with arms held close to her chest as she leans back elegantly.

Robyn Hendricks
Photo Simon Eeles

A dynamic new vision of a timeless classic

View performance times

  • Melbourne / Naarm
    19 - 30 September 2023

    Adelaide / Tarndanya
    7 - 14 October 2023

    Brisbane / Meanjin
    24 - 28 October 2023

    Sydney / Warrang
    1 - 20 December 2023

  • Ticket Price Range

    Student and under 30s tickets from $46 (Melb) or $52 (Syd).

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Sydney
1 - 20 December 2023

Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House / Tubowgule

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Robyn Hendricks holds her hands to her chest in a bright white tutu, her back leg extended behind her, against a dark background.

Robyn Hendricks
Photo Simon Eeles

Robyn Hendricks in white tutu leans down on one foot, arms and leg extended posing as a swan against a black background.

Robyn Hendricks
Photo Simon Eeles

An enduring love story that has played a recurring role in the history of The Australian Ballet, the timeless Swan Lake is reinvented by Artistic Director David Hallberg in 2023. Inspired by Anne Woolliams’ 1977 production, this creation marks David Hallberg’s first major commission for the company as the centrepiece of the 60th anniversary celebrations.

Exploring the ballet’s themes of yearning, betrayal and love through a refreshing new lens, this adaptation will embody the beauty and power of the art form and honour our company’s commitment to classical repertoire. Through David’s vision, audiences will be enraptured with ballet’s iconic characters: Prince Siegfried, the Swan Queen Odette and her evil counterpart Odile, in a story of doomed love that continues to move audiences all over the world.

Set to Tchaikovsky’s poignant score, Swan Lake presents ballet's most famous scenes, including the resplendent Act II pas de deux for Siegfried and Odette. This Swan Lake reinterprets the time-honoured masterpiece as never witnessed before, a work that will redefine ballet history for generations to come.

Swan Lake has been entirely funded through donations from our generous ballet community.

Watch the trailer

An image of the top half of a ballerina with arms held close to her chest as she leans back elegantly.

David's insight

"Our 60th year is a fitting moment to create a classical version of Swan Lake. One that will stand proud as a choreographically modern representation of The Australian Ballet, further elevate our artistic and technical excellence, and stand the test of time for decades to come. With lavish new sets and costumes, this is a Swan Lake that audiences will come to again and again."

Robyn Hendricks in a white tutu leans down with her arms extended high behind her.

Robyn Hendricks
Photo Simon Eeles

Robyn Hendricks in a white tutu leans forward with her arms extended behind her, with an elongated neck against a black background.

Robyn Hendricks
Photo Simon Eeles

Synopsis and cast sheets

Select a location to view synopsis and cast sheets

Anne Woolliams adjusts Marilyn Jones white tutu in a rehearsal room in 1977.

Marilyn Jones and Anne Woolliams
Photo Michael Cook 1977

Michela Kirkaldie and Ross Stretton entwined in dance in a dark black and white photo from 1977.

Michela Kirkaldie and Ross Stretton
Photo Michael Cook 1977

A large group of dancers in white tutus and costumer spread across the stage at The Australian Ballet in 1978.

Michela Kirkaldie, Ross Stretton and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1978

Joanne Michel leaps from the stage in an intricately design white tutu, shot in black and white in 1980.

Joanne Michel
Photo Jeff Busby 1980

Michela Kirkaldie leans elegantly on white foot into John Meehan, both dressed in dark black costume.

Michela Kirkaldie and John Meehan
Photo Branco Gaica 1982

A large group of dancers sit on the ground with legs and arms extended in a V shape, shot in black and white from 1983.

Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1983

A group of five dancers in white costume with black highlights lean towards each other in a single line, with hands gently crossed.

Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Loreli Simmonds 1987

Christine Walsh dances while encircled by a large group of dancers, all dressed in bright white costume, shot in black and white in 1987.

Christine Walsh and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photographer unknown 1987

A group of six dancers lean back in unison in bright white tutus, against a black backdrop.

Lynette Wills and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1991

Lisa Pavane extends her arm towards a kneeling Greg Horsman, Lisa dressed in white costume, Greg with dark jacket on.

Lisa Pavane and Greg Horsman
Photo Branco Gaica 1991

Miranda Coney stands with arm extended en pointe, in white tutu against a dark black background.

Miranda Coney
Photo Jim McFarlane 1997

Anne Woolliams adjusts Marilyn Jones white tutu in a rehearsal room in 1977.

Marilyn Jones and Anne Woolliams
Photo Michael Cook 1977

Michela Kirkaldie and Ross Stretton entwined in dance in a dark black and white photo from 1977.

Michela Kirkaldie and Ross Stretton
Photo Michael Cook 1977

A large group of dancers in white tutus and costumer spread across the stage at The Australian Ballet in 1978.

Michela Kirkaldie, Ross Stretton and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1978

Joanne Michel leaps from the stage in an intricately design white tutu, shot in black and white in 1980.

Joanne Michel
Photo Jeff Busby 1980

Michela Kirkaldie leans elegantly on white foot into John Meehan, both dressed in dark black costume.

Michela Kirkaldie and John Meehan
Photo Branco Gaica 1982

A large group of dancers sit on the ground with legs and arms extended in a V shape, shot in black and white from 1983.

Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1983

A group of five dancers in white costume with black highlights lean towards each other in a single line, with hands gently crossed.

Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Loreli Simmonds 1987

Christine Walsh dances while encircled by a large group of dancers, all dressed in bright white costume, shot in black and white in 1987.

Christine Walsh and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photographer unknown 1987

A group of six dancers lean back in unison in bright white tutus, against a black backdrop.

Lynette Wills and Artists of The Australian Ballet
Photo Branco Gaica 1991

Lisa Pavane extends her arm towards a kneeling Greg Horsman, Lisa dressed in white costume, Greg with dark jacket on.

Lisa Pavane and Greg Horsman
Photo Branco Gaica 1991

Miranda Coney stands with arm extended en pointe, in white tutu against a dark black background.

Miranda Coney
Photo Jim McFarlane 1997

A man sits at a desk with paper and pens next to him, articulating his hands into shapes while three other individuals watch.

The First Sketch

Meet the set designer of our new production of Swan Lake, originally produced by Anne Woolliams after Petipa, additional choreography Ray Powell, directed by David Hallberg.

Learn more
TAB Swan Lake Baynes Sydney Photo Kate Longley 2016 a31 2

Beneath the lake: a swan’s perspective

Look below the surface and you’ll see Swan Lake is so much more than it seems. Hear from several dancers about the time, training and technique it takes to tackle the world’s most famous ballet.

Learn more

Production credits

Originally produced by Anne Woolliams after Petipa, additional choreography Ray Powell
Director David Hallberg
Guest Repetiteur Mark Kay
Dramaturgy and additional choreography Lucas Jervies
Music Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Costume design Mara Blumenfeld
Set design Daniel Ostling
Lighting design T.J. Gerckens

Music

Melbourne
With Orchestra Victoria

Adelaide
With Adelaide Symphony Orchestra

Brisbane
With Queensland Symphony Orchestra

Sydney
With Opera Australia Orchestra

Swan Lake has been entirely funded through donations from our generous ballet community.

We thank our lead and production partner

Season 2023

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The top half of a ballerina with arms held close to her chest as she leans back elegantly.