Royal NZ Ballet's Peter Pan Begins

Royal NZ Ballet: All Pointes Bulletin

The Lotto Season of Peter Pan opened in Wellington on Friday 31 October. Featuring a ship-load of special effects and plenty of swashbuckling action, the ballet is a whirlwind of fighting, flying and dancing.

The latest performance images are now on our season website www.peterpan.co.nz. You can also use the site for booking information, checking out the latest reviews and to see who'll be dancing the lead roles in your centre.

SCHOOLS PERFORMANCES This Friday, 1,200 Wairarapa students will be making the hour-and-a-half trip over the Rimutaka Hill by the bus, van, car and train-load to watch a special schools performance of The Lotto Season of Peter Pan.

The cavalcade to the Westpac St James Theatre kicks off a national series of schools performances that run until 11 December. Each theatre is expected to be filled to the gunwales.

* Wellington, Wespac St James Theatre: 12.30pm, 7 November 2003

* Dunedin, The Regent: 12.30pm, 12 November

* Napier, Napier Municpal Theatre: 12.30pm, 21 November

* Palmerston North, Regent on Broadway: 12.30pm, 26 November

* Auckland, Aotea Centre: 12.30pm, 4 December * Hamilton, Founders Theatre: 12.30pm 11 December

If you would like to film or photograph these performances, please contact George Hills, phone 381 9018 or 021 84 84 81.

INJURED INJUN In the heat of battle Tiger Lily faces danger with quiet and brave resolve. During Sunday night's performance of Peter Pan (2 November 2003) a little of her character rubbed off on Royal New Zealand Ballet dancer Pieter Symonds, who was injured onstage.

Says Christchurch-born Pieter: "I went into a jump and something popped at the back of my calf and I realised I couldn't put weight on my right leg."

Alone on stage the dancer made a quick decision: "I was debating whether to walk off and leave it as a musical interlude. I thought: 'I'm on stage, everyone's watching, I've got a solo to do'. I think I kept in character - crouching and looking around. I even managed the hardest bit of the solo - the double pirouette into the tour. It's balmy thinking back on it now."

Judging from the applause that followed, the audience was none the wiser.

As soon as she reached the wings, Pieter was rushed to Wellington's After Hours Medical Centre in Adelaide Road. She was subsequently diagnosed as having torn her calf muscle.

Pieter isn't expected to be back on pointe for at least four weeks. And from today she begins a rehabilitation schedule that includes physiotherapy, osteopathy and Pilates.

While Pieter recovers, the tomahawk has been passed on to Kismet Bourne, who will perform the role of stout-hearted squaw.

For the latest casting see: www.peterpan.co.nz/pp-cast.php.

SUBS AHOY! The Royal New Zealand Ballet high kicks its way into 2004 with a glamorous chorus of showgirls and bows out with a family favourite about a living doll.

"Our calling card is versatility," says Artistic Director Gary Harris. "We're presenting ballet for the 21st century in The Meridian Energy Season of Saltarello, high drama in The TOWER Season of Madame Butterfly, and good old-fashioned fun with Coppelia."

© Scoop Media