Beyond Ballet Gala

Beyond Ballet Gala, presented by Ballet Rogue, was established by independent dance artist Mimi Yoshii in 2024, and comprises classically trained dancers from all walks of life, from pre-professional dancers making their debut on the stage, to professional and ex-professional dancers seeking further opportunities to showcase their skills.

Mimi is to be commended for the inclusivity of ability, gender, sexual orientation and experience in this production. Ballet is often seen as an art form for the elite. Not so with Ballet Rogue who prove that you don’t have to be attending a national ballet school to dance with confidence.

Several of the items are accompanied by Celine Goh (keyboard) who plays sensitively in dim light tucked into a corner.

The program comprises –

Black nor White, a contemporary dance piece danced and choreographed by Mimi Yoshii and Michael Tong. I loved the inclusion of boxes that eventually enveloped Yoshii.

Niriti variation from Talisman danced by Tatiana Verza featuring beautiful lines and precise footwork.

Dread, a contemporary piece exploring a dreadful and devastated situation, choreographed and danced by Kuan in front of a gothic projection with angular moves and carefully thought-out floor work.

Let me tell you a story, choreographed by Michael Tong and featuring Alex Selivanova & Beth Mooney. A fascinating piece, ending where it began, and featuring dance and storytelling intertwining seamlessly.

Liee, (bound), exploring how souls can separate and reconnect, choregraphed by Tara Edwards-Johnson and danced by Tara Edwards-Johnson, Sophie Loveys, Rebekah Rowland and Ririka Fujiwara is a moving piece full of flowing lines and a great use of performance space, a highlight.

Black Coffee, choreographed and danced by Iita Drakard to a Gershwin-like piano score is sultry, sexy and moody, set in a restaurant featuring a lonely woman waiting for someone who will never come and having to contend with a cup of coffee!

Character Dance, Alex Selivanova choreographs and dances a Slavic Ethnic Dance that starts slowly and rapidly progresses to the turns and kicks we have come to expect from this form of dance and had the audience clapping along!

Votive is a restaging of Kingdom of the Shades from La Bayadere with influences of Japanese spiritual aesthetics. Choreographed by Mimi Yoshii (after Marius Petipa) and featuring Mimi Yoshii, Ririka Fujiwara, Rebekah Rowland, Sophie Loveys, Tara Edwards-Johnson & Nadia Lazzaro. It is a fascinating study of east meets West, all lovers of cats, and a classical feast of ensemble and variation work.

Hopefully the length of the blackouts between some of the items will improve as the season runs in.

Beyond Ballet Gala provides a valuable opportunity for dancers to perform to an audience and practise their craft. It is an eclectic mix of modern and classical styles with something to please any dance lover.

Barry Hill OAM

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