Royal NZ Ballet’s Swan Lake inspired international star

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Swan Lake inspired the career of international guest star.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to have five internationally acclaimed stars of the ballet world join the company for the much-anticipated Vodafone Season of Swan Lake. Among them is New Zealander Ty King-Wall, newly appointed as a principal artist with The Australian Ballet, who found his calling at the 1996 RNZB production of Swan Lake.

Originally from Katikati, King-Wall joined The Australian Ballet School in Melbourne at 16, was offered a contract with The Australian Ballet when he graduated at the end of 2005, and was promoted to soloist in 2010. He returns to New Zealand to dance the lead male role of Prince Siegfried in the Vodafone Season of Swan Lake. He partners Amber Scott, also a principal artist at The Australian Ballet, as Odette/Odile.

King-Wall credits the Royal New Zealand Ballet as being a pivotal influence in his career choice. “One of the first ballets I ever saw was the Royal New Zealand Ballet performing this very production of Swan Lake, when I was seven years old.  Ou Lu was dancing the role of Prince Siegfried and I can remember thinking ‘When I grow up I want to be up on stage doing that!’  To be coming home and dancing Prince Siegfried in the same ballet, where it all began, will be very special for me” says King-Wall

"I am pleased to include two pairs of international guest artists, as part of our Swan Lake season. I believe that both sets of accomplished artists, alternating with superb casts from within our ranks, will inspire and entertain our audiences. I am especially happy that Ty King-Wall, a native New Zealander and rising star at The Australian Ballet shall make his New Zealand performing debut, as a professional, with the RNZB" says Ethan Stiefel, Artistic Director of the RNZB.

Sharing the lead roles with Ty King-Wall and Amber Scott will be Carla Körbes and Karel Cruz from Pacific Northwest Ballet, both of whom have a loyal following in the ballet world and are excited to be performing in Wellington. “I always hear about the beautiful landscapes and the wonderful people that live in the country.  I am excited to get to see RNZB dance live for the first time and get to work with Ethan Stiefel as an Artistic Director. It is so exciting that the company is celebrating its 60th anniversary!” says Ms Körbes.  Ms Körbes and Mr Cruz have previously been paired in the leading roles of Odette/Odile and Siegfried, with international critics saying that as dance partners they have “an intensity and honesty that’s difficult to fake”.

The Vodafone Season of Swan Lake opens in Wellington at the St James Theatre on Thursday 18 July and tours nationally to 7 other centres including Dunedin, Christchurch, Invercargill, Takapuna, Auckland and Palmerston North, closing in Napier on 1 September.

Ty King Wall: The Australian Ballet – Photo: James Braund

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