Night at the Museum: A Journey Beneath the Blue Whale at the WA Museum
Perth Youth Ballet presents a unique performance experience in the heart of the WA Museum Boola Bardip. Performing beneath Otto the Blue Whale, the dancers will take audiences on an extraordinary journey that connects art, history, and nature. This collaboration with one of the world’s most iconic museums promises to create an unforgettable evening of dance, imagination, and storytelling.
The performances begin with The Ocean Within, a senior neoclassical piece by choreographer Sandrine Dellasalle and Aurelien Scannella, which explores humanity’s connection to the vast, mysterious ocean. The lone wanderer of the piece finds themselves drawn to the ocean’s call, their journey symbolising the delicate balance between destruction and renewal. The dancers’ ethereal movements reflect the boundless beauty of the sea, as well as its profound power to shape the world.
Next, in Reflections on the Underwater World of Otto, choreographer Cameron Etherington leads the junior lyrical dancers in a tribute to Otto, the Blue Back Whale. Set against the backdrop of the whale’s awe-inspiring skeleton, these young dancers move with grace and strength, embodying the essence of the ocean’s largest creature and its connection to the world’s natural rhythms.
Solar System & Stars showcasing our senior dancers as they embody the light of the night sky. Choreographed by Tess Gisby, the piece evokes the universe’s vast stories and the interconnectedness of people across time and space. The dancers’ unison work, illuminated by the stars, brings these cosmic tales to life with powerful movement.
The Birthright contemporary piece by Scott Ewen delves into the fragility of nature and our inherent connection to it. Through movement, the junior dancers remind us of our biological ties to the Earth and the importance of preserving its balance.
In The Fallen Soldiers of Gallipoli, Cameron Etherington creates a senior lyrical piece inspired by the strength, courage, and bravery of the Western Australian soldiers who served in Gallipoli. The dancers’ resilience and passion serve as a poignant tribute to those who fought for our freedom.
Sacred Rhythms of Giza transports the audience to ancient Egypt, with dancers embodying the eternal cycle of life and rebirth. Choreographed by Sandrine Dellasalle and Aurelien Scannella, this junior neoclassical work is set to the hypnotic rhythms of Giza Port, drawing on the divine energy of Goddess Isis to evoke the timeless connection between humanity and the divine.
Scott Ewen’s Three 5 Six invites the senior dancers to explore the surreal and disorientating nature of a museum, where time, context, and purpose are displaced. This contemporary piece reflects the paradox of objects once vital in their original environments now confined to museum walls, questioning what remains when their true purpose is lost.
The evening concludes with Land Water & Sky, a junior creative works piece choreographed by Tess Gisby, which celebrates the deep connection between the Earth’s elements. The dancers embody the ancient origins of land, water, and sky, evoking their profound impact on our world and our bodies.
Performing beneath the towering presence of Otto the Blue Back Whale, each dance piece captures the awe-inspiring nature of our planet and its timeless history. The WA Museum Boola Bardip’s rich backdrop enhances this already extraordinary show, giving the dancers an unparalleled connection to the history and the living world around them.
This is a night not to be missed—where the beauty of ballet and the wonders of the natural world come together in one breathtaking experience.
Tickets available at www.perthyouthballet.com
Night at The Museum, WA Museum Boola Bardip
Performances 24 & 25 January 2025
Media, for further information contact Taryn Gelder
taryn@taryngelder.com
www.taryngelder.com