Energetic, playful, and sombre ballets collide in Queensland Ballet’s latest triple-bill Li’s Choice. The program celebrates 10 years of Li Cunxin’s leadership as artistic director.

On Friday night, I headed to QPAC for the opening night of Li’s Choice. It made for a moving and entertaining evening, bringing together contemporary, ragtime and classical ballets.

Dramatic lighting, smoke, and dark costumes set the tone for Greg Horsman’s Glass Concerto. It showed the speed and precision of Queensland Ballet’s dancers, pulsing in time to Philip Glass’ violin concerto. This work featured Yanela Piñera, Patricio Revé, Chiara Gonzalez, David Power, Mia Heathcote and Joel Woellner.

We Who Are Left, choreographed by Natalie Weir, was a deeply moving work. It was inspired by the music of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem, and featured dancers in military style costumes. Lina Kim, Vito Bernasconi, Shaun Curtis, Lucy Green and Patricio Revé danced with real sensitivity.

In contrast, the final ballet, Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s Elite Syncopations, was full of dazzling colour and energy. Set to Scott Joplin’s ragtime music, this performance was up-beat, jazzy and fun. The dancers were joined on stage by the musicians from Camerata, also in costume. Music Director Nigel Gaynor was certainly busy, playing two different pianos and conducting the orchestra!

After the show, we headed over to the convention centre’s Skyroom for a celebration. Li Cunxin gave a short speech and then we had the chance to enjoy food and drinks and mingle with the artists.

Li’s Choice is showing until the 25^th of June in QPAC’s Playhouse. Don’t miss this spectacular triple-bill.

The Details:

What: Queensland Ballet’s Li’s Choice

When: 10 – 25 June

Where: Playhouse, QPAC

Tickets: Here.

Photography by David Kelly.