Don Quixote
The Australian Ballet
The Australian Ballet will make a historic return to Tokyo from 30 May to 1 June 2025, marking its first tour to Japan in 15 years. This will be the Company’s seventh Japan tour, with the first taking place in 1968. Under the direction of Artistic Director David Hallberg, this landmark event will showcase the Company’s renowned production of Don Quixote, Rudolf Nureyev’s celebrated ballet and a cornerstone of The Australian Ballet’s repertoire.
The Japan tour holds special significance as the second international tour under Hallberg’s artistic leadership, and it presents Don Quixote as a grand tribute to Nureyev’s legacy with The Australian Ballet. Nureyev’s collaboration with the Company began in 1964, and in 1970 he created this dynamic production. With bravura dancing, lavish costumes, and intricate sets designed by Barry Kay, Don Quixote showcases a vibrant vision of Spain and a narrative brimming with energy and passion.
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David Hallberg said: “Returning to Japan with Don Quixote is an opportunity for The Australian Ballet to connect with our audiences abroad and showcase the rich artistry within this production. This tour is a celebration of Nureyev’s iconic work and highlights the talent of our dancers, brought to life through Barry Kay’s vibrant designs and the captivating story of Don Quixote. We are honoured to deepen our cultural ties with Japan, and I hope our audiences in Tokyo will be as enchanted by this masterpiece as we are proud to share it.” 
Since its founding in 1962, The Australian Ballet has served as a global ambassador for the arts in Australia, performing in 38 countries and 88 cities worldwide. This Tokyo tour reciprocates a recent cultural exchange, following the Australian debut of The Tokyo Ballet, administered by Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS), the presenter of this Japan tour. During their 2023 visit to Melbourne, they captivated audiences withGiselle.
The Japan tour will take place at the prestigious Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, one of Japan’s most renowned performance venues, recognised for showcasing premier international ballet companies. Presented by Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS), The Australian Ballet’s performances will span four shows, bringing together audiences to experience this masterwork on an exceptional stage.
In an extraordinary logistical feat, the tour will involve over 100 members from The Australian Ballet, including dancers, production crew, wardrobe, and medical support, all traveling to Tokyo with the sets, costumes, and technical equipment required to bring Don Quixote to the stage. This commitment to excellence ensures that Japanese audiences will experience the full splendour of this production, from the costumes and Spanish sets to the choreography that captures Nureyev’s artistic vision.
The tour is a testament to the deep cultural relationship between The Australian Ballet and Japan, which has flourished for over 50 years.
Japan Performing Arts Foundation (NBS) Executive Director Norio Takahashi shares, “It’s truly special to welcome The Australian Ballet back to Tokyo after 15 years, especially after our own company, The Tokyo Ballet, visited Australia in 2023. Japanese audiences have been eagerly waiting to see these remarkable artists, and we couldn’t be more excited to share their talent with them. This tour is a wonderful cultural exchange, and we’re looking forward to watching our audiences connect with the passion, artistry, and technical brilliance that The Australian Ballet brings to Don Quixote.
The Australian Ballet’s 2025 Japan tour has been enabled by the generous supporters of the International Touring Fund.
Bookings: https://australianballet.com.au/performances/2025-tokyo-tour
