Callum Linnane in the title role of Wheeldon’s Oscar© – Photo © Simon Eeles
The Australian Ballet recently held the World Premiere of Oscar©, a full-length ballet devoted to the life and writing of Oscar Wilde. Commissioned for The Australian Ballet by David Hallberg – the Company’s Artistic Director – and created by Christopher Wheeldon, Oscar© will be available to audiences the world over via livestream on 19th November.
Scene from Wheeldon’s Oscar© – Photo © Christopher Rogers-Wilson
The ballet tells of the eventful life of Oscar Wilde – his wit, charm and his unforgettable writings. The great Irish humourist, who was raised in Dublin, was a devoted father and husband, but his downfall started after he was introduced to the world of the social elite of 19th century aristocracy through his skill as a writer – a world which he took by storm. As his fame grew, he sank into the hedonism of the London underworld, and following a ‘celebrity’ trial as a result of his love affair with Bosey (Lord Alfred Douglas), Wilde was finally incarcerated in 1895 for what was termed his “gross indecency”.
Benjamin Garrett & Callum Linnane in Wheeldon’s Oscar©
Photo Christopher Rogers-Wilson
Wheeldon, through his emotional and skilful choreography, weaves into his ballet Wilde’s triumphs and trials, together with the stories and characters from the writer’s imagination. Episodes from Wilde’s life, including his tempestuous relationship with Bosie, are interspersed with vignettes from his most celebrated stories, The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Nightingale and the Rose.
Oscar© is a fascinating work, demonstrating that great art has the capacity to endure beyond its creator. As David Hallberg says: “This production will offer audiences a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey into the world of one of history’s most iconic literary figures.”
Benjamin Garrett & Callum Linnane in Wheeldon’s Oscar©
Photo © Christopher Rogers-Wilson
Christopher Wheeldon trained at The Royal Ballet School, beginning his dance career as a member of The Royal Ballet. In 1993 he joined New York City Ballet, where in 2001 he became NYCB’s first Resident Choreographer. One of the most popular choreographers of his time, Wheeldon has created works for some of the world’s major ballet companies including The Royal Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, the Mariinsky Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet, and counts among his honours two Tony Awards, multiple London Critics’ Circle Awards and two Olivier Awards. Two of his productions have received the Benois de la Danse, he was named an OBE in 2016, and was made an Honorary Fellow of American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Oscar© marks Wheeldon’s third full-length collaboration with The Australian Ballet, following the successes of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland© and the award-winning musical An American in Paris which first opened at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris in December 2014 and then at the Palace Theatre on Broadway in April 2015.
Ako Kondo & Callum Linnane in Wheeldon’s Oscar© – Photo © Christopher Rogers-Wilson
Oscar© is set to a score by Joby Talbot – who also wrote the music for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Wonka – and is performed by Orchestra Victoria. Stage and costume design are by Jean-Marc Puissant.
The Australian Ballet is currently performing Oscar© at the Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House, until 23rd November. For more information and tickets visit The Australian Ballet website.
The livestream performance will take place at 7.15 in Sydney AEDT, and can be accessed on any one device for up to 14 days from the livestream start time without needing to download software or applications. For access and further information visit The Australian Ballet’s Live on Ballet website.
Information sourced from:
Australian Ballet programme notes
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