George Balanchine’s Jewels is a three-part ballet, visually and thematically structured around the motifs of emeralds, rubies and diamonds, and exploring the idea of movement radiating from the body through each specific jewel.
Making its world premiere at New York City Ballet in 1967, Jewels showcased Balanchine’s atmospheric musicality. These contrasting works reflect his time in Paris, New York and St Petersburg through the selection of scores and the defining visual elements of colour, shape and silhouette. Each of the three acts is distinct in style and mood, set to music by three different composers: Gabriel Fauré for Emeralds, Igor Stravinsky for Rubies and Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky for Diamonds. Opulent costumes and sets unify each of the three sections into one regal whole, showcasing the classical precision of The Australian Ballet’s artists.
A mesmerising spectacle that is both soft and sharp, racy and refined, flashy and majestic, Jewels is a lavish work capturing the company’s celebratory spirit. After spectacular seasons in Sydney, Melbourne and London in 2023, we are delighted to bring this sparkling production to Adelaide audiences.
Each jewel in this ballet has equal beauty and power. Emeralds, soft and mysterious. Rubies, sharp and stylised. Diamonds, brilliant and sparkling. It is a balletic feast for the eye.
★★★★★ Full marks to The Australian Ballet dancers for imbuing such technically challenging choreography with far more humour and sensuality than is normally found in this act. Their ability to derive such obvious pleasure in their performances is testament to their superior technique, and this carries over the footlights to a very appreciative audience.
This venue is wheelchair accessible.
Complete the Accessible Seating Form and you will be contacted to process your booking.
The Australian Ballet has been inspiring and delighting audiences since 1962 and is Australia's national ballet company.
Discover The Australian Ballet
Choreography: George Balanchine© The George Balanchine Trust
Music: Gabriel Fauré, Igor Stravinsky, Piotr Ilyich Tschaikovsky
Costume design: Barbara Karinska
Set design: Peter Harvey
Staging: Sandra Jennings
Original lighting design: Ronald Bates, reproduced in 2023 by Perry Silvey
The performance of Jewels, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine Style® and Balanchine Technique® Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
Jewels has been entirely funded by the generous donors of The David Hallberg Fund.
The Australian Ballet is fortunate to have the support and talent of the Embroiderers Guild and the Country Women’s Association who have so generously offered their time to help create the costumes for this production
The most direct way to enter the Festival Theatre is from King William Road, near the corner of Elder Park, or Festival Plaza.
You can also walk from North Terrace via the laneway alongside SkyCity Casino or by crossing the footbridge from Adelaide Oval.
If you require an accessible drop off area, use the drive through zone just off King William Road, approximately 100 metres north of the car park entrance. This is are is accessible when traveling north on King William Road. When King William Road is closed for major events, the nearest accessible drop off area is on the west side of Adelaide Festival Centre, alongside Festival Drive under the Riverbank Footbridge.
There is no formal taxi rank on King William Road, but taxis can use the drive through zone just off King William Road, approximately 100 metres north of the car park entrance. This is accessible when traveling north on King William Road.
The nearest taxi ranks are located on North Terrace, outside the Casino and Railway Station, and on King William Street next to Rundle Mall.
The closest parking is available at Festival Plaza Car Park, accessible from King William Road or Montefiore Road. Follow the signs on Festival Drive and drive down to the lower levels to park near B3 or B4. From there the King William Road lifts will take you to the Festival Theatre entrance. Visit the Festival Plaza Car Park website for more information.
You can also use the Convention Centre’s Riverbank Car Park or one of a number of nearby city car parks.
Accessible by many forms of public transport. Including trains, buses, the tram (stop at Railway Station) and a free bus service that operates on a loop throughout the city and North Adelaide with stops on the corner of King William Road and North Terrace.
We want to make your visit as enjoyable as possible and offer many ways to assist if support is required.
In the Stalls, row W has removable seats to accommodate patrons who wish to remain seated in their wheelchair or transfer to a theatre seat.
Lifts are located either side of the Festival Theatre auditorium with access to all levels.
Accessible toilets are available at all Adelaide Festival Centre venues.
Every theatre and event/function area of Adelaide Festival Centre is assistance animal friendly.
Festival Theatre has hearing loop facilities, limited to particular seats in the venues.
Audience members who require hearing assistance are now able to enjoy the show via the Beyerdynamic Hearing System. Please advise the operator at the time of booking.
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