Études / Circle Electric
The Australian Ballet
The stage is set for a dynamic dance fusion as The Australian Ballet proudly presents Études / Circle Electric – a groundbreaking double bill featuring Harald Lander’s classic ballet alongside the world-premiere of Resident Choreographer Stephanie Lake’s electrifying contemporary creation.
This not-to-be-missed performance of the Company’s precision, athleticism and creative expression is presented at the Sydney Opera House from 3 – 18 May and Melbourne’s Regent Theatre from 2 – 9 October.
A showstopping celebration of classical ballet’s technical prowess, Harald Lander’s one-act, ballet Études (French for ‘studies’), provides audiences a rare glimpse into the dancer’s morning ballet class ritual. It was last performed by The Australian Ballet in 2012.
Originally choreographed in 1948 for the Royal Danish Ballet, Études starts at the barre, where the dancers work their way through a series of exercises designed to warm up their muscles, then transitioning into centre work, where the dancers build to an exhilarating finale, boasting complex and intricate choreography. 
Complemented by spectacular new costumes from Lise Lander, the minimalistic set design serves as a blank canvas, allowing the dancers the opportunity to showcase the raw beauty of their skill and artistry.
Multi award-winning Melbourne-based choreographer Stephanie Lake brings her bold and innovative vision to Circle Electric – her first equally as Resident Choreographer and a full-length commission for The Australian Ballet.
In a piece that offers a telescopic and microscopic view of humanity, Lake creates rhythms and patterns to musical partner Robin Fox’s unique score, blending live orchestra with his signature electro-acoustic sound. Circle Electric also reunites the design team behind Lake’s critically acclaimed hit Manifesto.
This new work marks a historic moment for Lake, as she collaborates with her largest cast of dancers to date, following a debut on The Australian Ballet On Tour program in 2023.
Heralded as a trailblazer and currently the hottest name in Australian contemporary dance, Lake’s unique choreographic style has garnered critical acclaim crowning her with the Helpmann Award, two Australian Dance Awards, two Green Room Awards and the Melbourne Fringe Award for Outstanding Choreography.
She founded the Stephanie Lake Company in 2014, where she is Artistic Director, and was appointed The Australian Ballet’s incoming Resident Choreographer in October 2023.
The Australian Ballet Artistic Director David Hallberg said, “The duality of Études and Circle Electric shows the diversity of movement in one program. Études is the study of classical ballet, done in its most exacting form. The opposite of that is Stephanie’s powerful and energetic movement, which the dancers tackle with hunger and confidence.
“The Australian Ballet presents this double bill which is a fusion of dance forms exemplifying the Company’s dedication to discovering new artistic boundaries,” Hallberg added.
Circle Electric choreographer Stephanie Lake said, “This collaboration with The Australian Ballet is a thrilling opportunity to explore new choreographic territory.”
“Bringing Circle Electric to the mainstage is an incredible privilege. I can’t wait for audiences to experience the explosive combination of choreography, design and music and to witness the extraordinary dancers of the Company moving in exciting new ways.” Lake continued.
Through two vastly contrasting works, Études / Circle Electric is a showcase of the company’s exceptional technique and artistic talent.
Bookings: https://australianballet.com.au/performances/etudes-circle-electric
Synopsis
Études
Études, French for ‘studies’, takes the dancer’s morning ritual of ballet class and transforms it for the stage. Designed to gradually warm up muscles and align the body for rehearsals and performance, the classical ballet class follows a standard order of exercises that start small and gradually get bigger and more complex.
These same movements, even the smallest pliés and tendus, are the building blocks from which classical ballets are constructed. Études illuminate
Circle Electric
Circle Electric begins as a microscopic investigation of the intricate and the intimate, ultimately expanding to encompass a telescopic view of humanity. Grappling with the search for meaning, Circle Electric looks at a fundamental paradox of our existence – how we can be both utterly insignificant and profoundly important at the same time. Lake’s unique choreographic style will be on display, combining precision and virtuosity with poeticism, wit and theatricality.
