Sydney Dance Company
International Tour 2024
Sydney Dance Company’s 2024 International Tour marks a triumphant return to the global stage in March and April, with the Company performing Rafael Bonachela’s masterworks Impermanence and ab [intra] as well as the highly acclaimed triple bill Ascent across six prestigious locations.
Dates and Locations:
- Ascent – Mercat de les Flors, Barcelona: 14 – 16 March
- Impermanence – Mercat de les Flors, Barcelona: 19 – 20 March
- Ascent – Royal Opera House, London: 25 – 28 March
- ab [intra] – Belgrade Dance Festival, Belgrade: 5 – 6 April
- ab [intra] – White Bird, Portland: 10 April
- ab [intra] – The Joyce Theater, New York: 16 – 21 April
- Impermanence – Kennedy Center, Washington DC: 25 – 27 April
Marking a significant moment in Sydney Dance Company’s 55-year history, the 2024 International Tour features debuts at the Royal Opera House, London and the Kennedy Center, Washington.
Presenting five critically acclaimed works from leading Australian and international artists, this globe-trotting tour cements Bonachela’s Sydney Dance Company as an iconic cultural export, with the 17-strong ensemble in demand on the world’s most prestigious stages.
Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela said, “We are thrilled to tour such a diverse repertoire internationally each year, sharing the stage with the very best in contemporary dance across the world.”
In March, the Company returns to Barcelona’s home of dance, Mercat de les Flors, presenting the international premiere of the critically acclaimed triple bill Ascent and an encore season of Rafael Bonachela’s beloved Impermanence as part of Dansa Metropolitana, a dance festival taking over the Barcelona metropolitan area.
Ascent features the work of three leading choreographers in the world of contemporary dance, with the international premiere of renowned Spanish choreographer Marina Mascarell’s The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird and Rafael Bonachela’s I Am-ness alongside the reprise of Antony Hamilton’s Helpmann Award-winning work Forever & Ever.
After 11 years, the Company will return to London later in March to make its first appearance at the Royal Opera House with Ascent.
While in London, the Company will take part in an official function at Australia House on 21 March. With 250 guests in attendance, the event will include a duet performance by Sydney Dance Company, followed by a panel discussion with Sir Lloyd Dorfman, Chair of the Royal Opera House, Dr. Paul Thompson, Chair of the British Council, Dame Darcey Bussell, former ballerina and Sydney Dance Company International Patron, and Rafael Bonachela.
London holds special significance for Bonachela, having moved there in 1992 from his Spanish hometown, La Garriga, to join the legendary Rambert Dance Company as a dancer and later choreographer. Focussing on his rapidly rising choreographic career, Rafael then established his own London-based company, Bonachela Dance Company, in 2006 before moving to Australia in 2009.
In April, the Company will perform Bonachela’s iconic ab [intra] at leading international contemporary dance institutions; Belgrade Dance Festival, Serbia and White Bird, Portland, where the Company will perform works alongside acclaimed companies including GöteborgsOperans Danskompani and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
While in the United States, the Company will tour to the east coast, performing ab [intra] at The Joyce Theater in New York before debuting at Washington’s illustrious Kennedy Center with Impermanence. At the Kennedy Center, the Company will be joined live onstage by the Australian String Quartet playing Bryce Dessner’s award-wining score.
The prestigious American Australian Association will celebrate Sydney Dance Company’s return to New York with an intimate reception in their new headquarters overlooking the New York skyline. The event will feature a duet performance and Rafael Bonachela in conversation.
