Spectacular fireworks and subtle lusciousness, the RNZB are superb - Tutus on Tour 2022

’The Ground Beneath Our Feet, choreography by Shaun James Kelly, is such a joyous and spectacular opening. Set to Bach, with some subtle changes, arranged by Massimo Margaria, the interesting ‘darker’ shades created in the music gives the work contrasts, from subtle passages to driving energy. The dancers are on fire, gliding and sliding, soaring and diving, in beautiful ensemble patterns, duos and trios. Throughout, body lines are clean and clear, the movement and the music are one. There are gasps from the audience as each combination performs more intricate combinations. The costumes (Shaun James Kelly) are contrasting subtle colours, light red, yellow, blue, purple, green. They hug and flow with the torso, showing off the amazing strength and grace of these dancers. Kirby Selchow, Callahan Laird, Mayu Tanigaito, Laurynas Vėjalis, Madeleine Graham, Paul Mathews, Ana Gallardo Lobaina, Matthew Slattery, Georgia Baxter and Dane Head, you are all wonderful!’

Review by Tania Kopytko

RNZB presents entertaining and polished programme - Tutus On Tour 2022

‘Pared back to 10 centres, 2022’s Tutus on Tour has a full programme of five works featuring both classical and contemporary ballet. Opening the show is Choreographer in Residence Shaun James Kelly’s ‘The Ground Beneath Our Feet’ which premiered at RNZB’s Choreographic Series in 2018. As his first work for the main stage the ballet presented Kelly’s choreographic voice clearly from the outset, indulging his preferences for technically demanding partnering, swift neoclassical movement vocabulary, and signature slides en pointe. A manipulated Bach score and variety of transitions ensure the work is well-paced, light-hearted, and lively.’

Review by Brigitte Knight

Exhilarating, challenging and passionate - Royal New Zealand Ballet Tutus on Tour 2022

‘The opening ballet The Ground Beneath our Feet bursts into life and the dancers clearly relish the intricate complexities of off-centre technique, music and space that choreographer Shaun James Kelly gives them. A neoclassic style is used, set with lovely musicality to Violin Concerto in G minor by J.S Bach and the dancers bring an urgent energy with rapier sharp arabesques and super- slick pointe work, to the mix. Five fabulous couples mix and match and vie for our attention as they constantly push their own boundaries both in terms of risk and recovery. The speed and clarity are excellent. The standard for the evening is set!’

Review by Deirdre Tarrant

Smorgasbord of short dance works that will cater to everyone’s taste. - Ballet Bites 2022 RNZB

‘There is nothing quite like the swirl of the kilt and the men of the company deliver a fine display as they cavort on the lawn at Government House in front of a gorgeous Atlantic cedar. They elegantly conjure the Celtic spirit under Busby Berkley drone shots in this buoyant offering, Alba, from choreographer Shaun James Kelly.’

Review by Lyne Pringle

Dance graduates step into the future with uplifting programme - New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season 2021

“Completing the evening with a joyful climax is Nexus by Shaun James Kelly. It is a superb piece of choreography, matched by vibrant and sparkling dancing from second and third year classical students. Kelly lays down a huge challenge to these young dancers and they match it with relish. The work is intricate and inventive with brilliant exploration of the stage space. Kelly is a clever choreographer to watch out for.”

Review by Lyne Pringle

TALENT, ENERGY, COMMITMENT AND HOPE Review - New Zealand School of Dance Graduation Season 2021

Theatre Review

“Shaun James Kelly’s new classical work, Nexus, closes the evening……Intricate musicality and innovative choreography is a cornerstone of Shaun James Kelly’s creativity and his work for these young dancers totally delivered.”

Reviewed by Deirdre Tarrant, 21 Nov 2021

Review - GRADUATION SEASON 2021 - New Zealand School of Dance

“The final work of the evening, Shaun James Kelly’s Nexus set to excerpts of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, is both lively and technical. Featuring Kelly’s signature glides and demanding partnering, the eight classical stream dancers find plenty to challenge them…...”

Reviewed by Brigitte Knight

Review - New Zealand Of Dance Graduation Season 2021

Theatre Review

“The final piece Nexus by Shaun James Kelly is an intricate neo classical work, highlighting the techniques and skill of the dancers, their musicality and performance.
It is an excellent finale to a well-constructed programme and to quote an audience member” Well, that was well worth it”, the programme, the performance and the live experience are all worth it. Go see it.”

Reviewed by Deb Pope, 15 Nov 2021

TUTUS ON TOUR 2022 - ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET

TUTUS ON TOUR 2022

Dancers from Royal New Zealand Ballet in “ The Ground Beneath Our Feet” in 2019, Wellington Opera House

“Tutus on Tour brings a ray of summer sunshine to stages from Auckland’s North Shore to Invercargill.

Artistic Director Patricia Barker has curated a gala programme which showcases the dancers of your national ballet company at their best, from beloved classical favourites to recent works that have claimed a rightful place on the international stage.

Rounding out this generous programme of dance is RNZB Choreographer in Residence Shaun James Kelly’s The Ground Beneath Our Feet (2019), an exuberant ballet, tailor-made for the RNZB, that rides the scintillating rhythms of its music like a rollercoaster.”