The Australian Ballet’s much hyped new ballet, Oscar, premiered on 13th September.
Oscar is created by the celebrated choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. Oscar is described by the company’s director David Hallberg as the first “out” ballet. It revolves around the homosexual love affair between Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas a.k.a. Bosie. It brings the life of Wilde and his notable works together on stage. It employs intimacy coordinator Amy Cater and the website states it may contain some sexually explicit content.
I cannot travel to Australia so here are some reviews. Most reviews are positive.
The Guardian’s Jane Howard gives four stars out of five and praises dancers, chorepgraphy, juxtaposition and the music.
The Conversation’s Yvette Grant also praises Oscar, saying that Wheeldon created “a complex and highly cinematic ballet,” and that “the standing ovation at the end suggested this was a much-loved and welcomed ballet.”
On the other hand, Dance Australia’s Susan Bendall is critical, calling Oscar “over-indulged” and “flat.” She goes on to say “Oscar Wilde the man refuses to be tethered to a dance narrative.”
It seems most dance critics agree that the stage obscured their view. The Australian Ballet is being housed at the Regent for three years while the State Theatre is renovated. To accommodate the ballet and the orchestra, the stage has been raised slightly and the orchestra pit has been extended into the stalls. This created problems, they say. From where they sat, they could see the maestro but not always the dancers’ feet.
Oscar runs until 24th September at the Regent in Melbourne, then 8-23 November at the Sydney Opera House. For more details, click here.