The Australian Ballet's Ako Kondo writes from the company's 24th international tour. Whilst on tour the Australian Ballet will perform at two major festivals in China,the 2015 Dance Festival of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, and Shanghai International Arts Festival.
Plus scroll down to see a gallery of pictures from the tour by Lisa Tomasetti. Pictured below: Chengwu Guo, Ako Kondo and Brett Chynoweth in Tianamen Square, photographed by Lisa Tomasetti.
Hello Dance Australia readers!
Ako Kondo here, writing to you from central Shanghai!
After a successful visit to Beijing, the Australian Ballet team are excited to be here and are working hard to get our next ballet up and running. Touring internationally can be tricky but this city has evolved so much since the last time the company was here. It really is buzzing.
I've been rehearsing the role of Cinderella (my international debut in this role) which I will dance with my Prince (and Chinese home-grown favourite) Chengwu Guo! We're so lucky to be able to bring so many different works to the Chinese audiences and share the Australian passion.
There is so much to do here. Shopping, great food, and admiring the amazing Shanghai skyline. I think our ballet family are having a great time.
With less than a week to go, we'll see you in an Australian theatre again in no time! (The Australian Ballet's triple bill "20:21" opens in Sydney 5 November - Ed.)
Ako
Photos top to bottom: Ella Havelka, Amber Scott, Jessica Fyfe, Marcus Morelli, Benedicte Bemet, Jessica Fyfe, Lana Jones, Chengwu Guo. Photos: Lisa Tomasetti.
