Three choreographers, one unforgettable night of groundbreaking ballet
The Australian Ballet unveils Prism, a bold new triple bill featuring three of the most visionary choreographers of our time. Landmark works by international icons William Forsythe and Jerome Robbins, alongside a world premiere from Australia’s own Stephanie Lake. Prism is a powerful collision of global mastery and local innovation.
Audiences are invited to see ballet through a new lens. From Forsythe’s razor-sharp precision and Robbins’ kinetic portrayal of New York to Lake’s powerful new creation, each piece invites exploration of striking contrasts and compelling ideas that resonate with contemporary life, presenting three distinct artistic journeys united in one unforgettable program.
This kaleidoscopic program premieres at Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 25 September to 4 October, before travelling to the Sydney Opera House’s Joan Sutherland Theatre from 7 to 15 November.
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director, David Hallberg said: “Prism amplifies every facet of what ballet can be today. It brings together three radically different choreographic voices, each with their own aesthetic, philosophy and energy, allowing them to shine through the unique artistry of our dancers. It’s a bold demonstration of how ballet can speak across genres, generations and audiences.”
“Audiences will witness the creative power of collaboration at its highest level. From Forsythe’s virtuosic innovation and Robbins’ timeless dynamism to Stephanie Lake’s world premiere that defies ballet’s boundaries, this program shows how The Australian Ballet embraces the future while honouring its past,” added Hallberg.
Conceived at the height of the pandemic, Blake Works V (The Barre Project) by William Forsythe is a dazzling ode to dancers worldwide in their attempt to sustain their abilities with stay-at-home barre exercises. The work bursts into a virtuosic, free-form whirlwind of twists, locks and improbable balances, set to James Blake’s genre-blending score pulsing with intricate counterpoint and unexpected warmth.
William Forsythe is a globally acclaimed choreographer who has revolutionised classical ballet through a bold, contemporary lens. As Director of Ballet Frankfurt and later The Forsythe Company, he developed a distinctive language that blends academic precision with daring innovation. His works are performed worldwide and are celebrated for their structural complexity, spatial ingenuity and creative audacity.
Jerome Robbins’ iconic 1983 masterpiece Glass Pieces captures the restless energy of New York City streets that inspired it. Set to Philip Glass’ score, which is known for its recurring rhythms, the ballet fuses classical technique with postmodern dance, creating a dynamic, urban-infused choreography. The ensemble’s shifting patterns and momentum form a physical architecture that reflects the music’s intricate rhythms.
Robbins was a visionary choreographer whose work transformed both ballet and Broadway. Celebrated for his dynamic storytelling in West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof, he seamlessly blended classical technique with contemporary style, a fusion that continues to influence the language of dance today.
Following the success of Circle Electric in 2024, The Australian Ballet’s Resident Choreographer Stephanie Lake returns with Seven Days, a striking new world premiere that marks a bold creative departure. Featuring Peter Brikmanis’s reimagining of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variation and performed by an intimate cast of seven dancers, this work embraces emotional immediacy and razor-sharp precision.
In contrast to Lake’s typically large-scale productions, this performance strips back to focus on the dancers’ physicality and nuanced movement. The Goldberg Aria loops, and seven wildly different versions of the same dance unfold. Sharply lit by long-time collaborator Bosco Shaw and costumed in distinctive designs by Kate Davis, the piece explores the quiet drama of form, rhythm and human connection, delivered with Lake’s signature explosive physicality and wit.
Stephanie Lake is one of Australia’s most celebrated choreographers. She is the Artistic Director of Stephanie Lake Company established in 2014 and was appointed Artist in Residence of Semperoper Dresden Ballet in 2025. Her highly acclaimed works tour widely nationally and internationally and are known for their gutsy original choreographic style and striking visual aesthetic.
Prism distils the essence of The Australian Ballet’s creative direction. It is ambitious, collaborative and unafraid to push ballet into new territory. The program brings together three distinctive works shaped by some of the most original choreographic voices of our time. It stands as a testament to the expressive potential of the art form today.
The Robert & Elizabeth Albert Music Fund has generously supported Peter Brikmanis’ reimagining of J.S. Bach’s Goldberg Variations for Stephanie Lake’s new work, Seven Days.
Bookings and more information: https://australianballet.com.au/performances/prism
