Melbourne 18 – 29 Sep | Sydney 9 – 24 Nov

117 mins / excluding interval

In 2018, one of The Australian Ballet’s most popular works springs to new life. Spartacus tells the story of a gladiator who led a slaves’ rebellion against the Roman empire. Charting the journey of a man finding passionate love, his mission and freedom, the ballet showcases the company’s men at their spirited and athletic best.

Lucas Jervies is a choreographer, a NIDA-trained director and a former dancer of The Australian Ballet: Spartacus is his passion project. His brand new production will feature the soaring music of Aram Khachaturian; sets and costumes by Jérôme Kaplan, who created the inventive designs for Alexei Ratmansky’s Cinderella; and our male dancers in their most powerful moment as the slaves who rise against the tyranny of their rulers.

Think ballet is all pointe shoes and tutus? Think again.

​The production is about a dehumanised slave becoming a human being. embedded within that is a love story.

Choreographer Lucas Jervies

The first version of Spartacus seen on Australian stages was choreographed by László Seregi. It was premiered by The Australian Ballet in 1978 and toured New York, Washington DC and Costa Mesa. 

ARTISTS OF THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET. PHOTOGRAPHY BRANCO GAICA

In 2016, Penrith ballet-lovers were treated to a sneak preview of Lucas Jervies' Spartacus; a pas de deux from the work was performed as part of Ballet Under the Stars.

ROBYN HENDRICKS AND JARRYD MADDEN. PHOTOGRAPHY KATE LONGLEY
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Choreography Lucas Jervies
Music Aram Khachaturian
Costume and set design Jérôme Kaplan
Lighting design Ben Cisterne
Dramaturge Imara Savage
Fight Director Nigel Poulton

We celebrate the many philanthropists who are making this production possible, with special thanks to:


Mr Kenneth R Reed AM, SPARTACUS
McCusker Charitable Foundation, FLAVIA
Friends of The Australian Ballet (NSW) Ltd, CRASSUS
Mrs Roslyn Packer AC, TERTULLA
The Australian Ballet Society, BATIATUS


The Dame Margaret Scott Fund for Choreographers supports Lucas Jervies